A MULTI-TALENTED Jimboomba nurse has won recognition as the Best Supporting Performer in a Musical at the Ride Home Review Awards this month.
Carly Skelton, 32, performed the role of Harriet Piper in The Hatpin play at the Spring Hill reservoir in 2018.
The Hatpin is a true story which led to the creation of a Child Protection Agency in Australia.
Single mother, Amber Murray, advertised her baby in a newspaper in the 1890s with the hope of saving his life.
However, an evil couple named Charles and Agatha Makin had less than noble intentions when they agreed to take on the child in exchange for support payments.
The Makins murdered the child and were arrested and found guilty for the murder of multiple infants.
Ms Skelton said Harriet Piper played a motherly, comedic role in support of Amber.
“Using the moral support she gains from her friendship with the free spirited Harriet Piper, Amber fights the injustices of circumstance and tragedy to find hope and strength,” she said.
Ms Skelton said she was pleasantly shocked to win the prestigious honour of Best Supporting Performer.
“The award was very much a surprise as The Hatpin was my first role in a professional production, so to receive any sort of recognition is appreciated,” she said.
Next month, she will feature in the lead role of Diana for the Next to Normal musical at Brisbane Arts Theatre.
Ms Skelton will be accompanied with the creative team of David Harrison and Julie Whiting who also played roles in The Hatpin.
The show opens on Saturday, February 23 and continues until March 23 with ticket prices starting from $35.
Ms Skelton’s interest in music started in Queensland Youth Choir and Brisbane Chorale before performing in Brisbane and Gold Coast cover bands.
She went on to start live theatre in 2014 and performed as a vocal soloist at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in 2018.
Ms Skelton also performed in The Little Mermaid production at BAMS Theatre Inc at Beaudesert last year.
