Friels's Rothko role lauded at Green Rooms TWO Colins were the toast of Melbourne last night as the Green Room Awards, Victoria's premier performing arts honours, were announced. Colin Friels was awarded the best male actor gong for his portrayal of painter Mark Rothko in Melbourne Theatre Company's Red while the Australian Ballet's 77-year-old foundation member, Colin Peasley, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Peasley took his final bow for the AB in Swan Lake in December after a record 6406 performances. Friels, nominated at the Green Room's Sydney equivalent last year his role as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, led a successful night for MTC at the industry awards. The company also nabbed best female actor for Eryn Jean Norvill in Top Girls, which won for best theatre production. Matthew Lutton was named best director for On the Misconception of Oedipus (Malthouse). While there had been much conjecture about Geoffrey Rush's chances in Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Oscar winner was outdone for best actor (musical theatre) by Wayne Scott-Kermond in The Producers. The big musical theatre winner of the night was Chess, which took seven of the 10 awards including outstanding musical production, choreography and design. The musical, written by Tim Rice and ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, overshadowed Opera Australia's big-budget South Pacific and the Sondheim classic, which nabbed one award each. Opera Australia dominated the classical category, with six wins including best production (Salome) while best choreography went to Antony Hamilton (Chunky Move). The Adena Jacobs-directed Persona took out four awards in the independent theatre category, including female performer (Karen Sibbing), set and design, direction and best production. Bob Downe was honoured with an award for lifetime contribution to cabaret.