We are delighted to announce that one of Operatunity’s leading artists Russell Dixon has just won the NZ Variety Artist 2024 Male Artist of the Year Award.
Russell has captivated our audiences with his unique sound and heartfelt performances, showcasing a remarkable blend of passion and artistry. He loves what he does, and this comes through in his performances and his dedication to his craft. We are so proud that he has been honoured in this way as a true recognition of his talent. This is the same award that Karl received in 2022. It is wonderful to be able to present artists of this calibre at our concerts.
This award is a testament to his hard work, creativity, and the profound impact he has made on the New Zealand and international entertainment scene.
Russell does not only appear on stage with Operatunity but has worked extensively in music theatre production both on stage and behind the scenes. This culminated in another recent award for best director in his record-breaking production of Matilda in Tauranga. It has been a busy month for Russ! In addition to his Best Direction award, the production also won 8 other awards including Best Staging of a Play or Musical, Best Choreography, Best Leading Actors and more. This was part of the prestigious Music Theatre NZ - Zone 2 “Zony” Awards.
Russell has performed in numerous productions throughout NZ with a career spanning 36 years. He was invited to perform in Ken Hills Original Phantom of the Opera at Tokyo’s Orb Theatre in Japan, in 2018 and again in 2024.
Russ also directed Mary Poppins for the Amici Trust at Auckland’s prestigious Civic Theatre in 2020. This production was labelled by the international publication ‘Broadway World’ as the largest production in the world (during its season) due to the global impact of Covid-19. Other directorial credits including Wicked for Tauranga Musical Theatre, Blood Brothers for Taieri Musical Society in Dunedin, and Mamma Mia in Tauranga, Oamaru and in Auckland, at the Bruce Mason Centre. A career highlight was playing the role of Thomas S Monson in the feature film The Other Side of Heaven 2 – The Fire of Faith which premiered in the USA in 2019 and was the most successful ‘faith film’ in America for that year.
Russell returned to New Zealand in 2014, having spent 7 years in the UK where he performed the lead comic role of Alberto Beddini in the West End production of Top Hat at London’s Aldwych Theatre. He was also cast in the UK tour of The Witches of Eastwick, as Joe Marino and understudied the lead role of Darryl van Horne played by Marti Pellow (from the band Wet Wet Wet).
In November 2013 Russell filmed the David Walliams, Miranda Hart and Joanna Lumley - BBC Christmas TV Movie Gangsta Granny, playing the role of The Judge and was the standby performer for the role of Flavio Flaviolli played by Robbie Williams. Russell played both Mr. Lyons and Narrator in the UK Tour of Blood Brothers, Mr. Lyons on the West End at London’s Phoenix Theatre and in the UAE premiere of Blood Brothers in Dubai. He was also invited to play the role of Mr. Lyons in the STARCAST performance at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre to commemorate the 20 Year Anniversary of the show.
NZ Film & Television credits include Shortland Street, Hercules -The Legendary Journeys, Riverworld, Underbelly, Dear Murderer and many TV commercials. Other television work includes TV3 Weather Presenter and former television chef. He presented the Tegel Taste Kitchen TV series and competed with Jamie Oliver in the award winning TVC - Duelling Chefs for Pams.
Russell has worked as a performance artist and tour manager for Operatunity since 2019. You can catch Russell’s performance on stage in the final Operatunity concert tour of 2024 – Christmas Royal Variety Show!
Comments