For a production to qualify, a minimum run of eight performances over three weeks at the same venue in the Cape Town Metropole and surrounds, is required. Theatre practitioners are recognised for excellence in acting, directing, staging and technical abilities, and the panel of judges furthermore consider an individual, company or organisation in the theatre industry that has consistently created exceptional and innovative work.
The judges for the 2014 productions were: Africa Melane, Dr Beverley Brommert, Christine Moritz, Eugene Yiga, Gillian Mitchell, Herman van der Westhuizen, Jill Markram, Johan van Lill, Len Ashton, Mariana Malan, Marina Griebenow, Peter Tromp, Steyn du Toit and Tracey Saunders, with Stephanie Klink joining this year. The panel, made up largely of local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators, is chaired by Melanie Burke, the non-voting chairman. Voting is by secret ballot and all processes are strictly overseen and audited by the legal firm Cluver Markotter.
Awards were presented in 18 different categories and a total of 74 productions were eligible in 2014. In addition, 57 student performances were considered for The Most Promising Student Award. The immensely talented multiple award winner Marthinus Basson was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his huge contribution to theatre over a long and still, very successful career. The Handspring Puppet Company and the Handspring Trust for Puppetry Arts received the Award for Innovation in Theatre for their phenomenal contribution to the innovative growth and development of the craft of puppetry in theatre not only in South Africa but worldwide.
• Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Play: Albert Pretorius for Playland as Gideon le Roux
• Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Play: Emily Child for The Pervert Laura as Laura
• Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Play: Richard September for Rondomskrik as various characters
• Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Play: Lee-Ann van Rooi for Rondomskrik as various characters
• Best Performance in a Revue, Cabaret or One-person Show: Khayalethu Anthony for The Champion as Thulani
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical or Music Theatre Show: Sne Dladla for Fergus of Galloway as various characters
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Music Theatre Show: Janelle Visagie for The Sound of Music as Mother Abbess
• Award for Most Promising Student: Sive Gubangxa (UCT)
• Best Director: Jaco Bouwer for Balbesit
• Best Lighting Design: Wolf Britz for Balbesit
• Best Set Design: Patrick Curtis for Fishers of Hope (Taweret)
• Best Costume Design: Leigh Bishop for Slowly
• Best Sound Design, Original Music Composition or Original Score: Nceba Gongxeka for Fishers of Hope (Taweret) - Musician (live)
• Best Puppetry Design: Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones for War Horse - Puppet design, fabrication and direction
• Best New South African Script: The Kingmakers by Louis Viljoen
• Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for New Directors: Louis Viljoen for The Kingmakers and The Pervert Laura
• Award for Innovation in Theatre: Handspring Trust for Puppetry Arts
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Marthinus Basson
