Naledi Theatre Awards 2008 winners

MCs for the ceremony were popular comedian Mark Banks and, the perfect foil to his witticisms, the vivacious Rosie Motene. Angela Kilian, Ashley Dowds, Craig Urbani, Dorothy-Ann Gould, Lesego Motsepe, Kate Normington, Samantha Peo, Nqobile Sipamla, Rachel Tambo, Tamara Dey and Zuraida Jardine were just a few of the glamorous, high-profile stage and television celebrities that presented the various category awards. Popular comedian Marc Lottering presented the award for Best Community Theatre. A warm moment came when the doyenne of musical theatre, Joan Brickhill, came onto stage in her wheelchair to present the Best Production of a Musical.

The Naledi Theatre Awards covered all South African mainstream professional, live theatre productions that took place during 2008. The judges for 2008 were Welcome Msomi, Sibongiseni Mkhize, Janet Baylis, Lopang Molope, Mandla Motau, Moira de Swardt, Helen Heldenmuth, Paul Boekkooi, Peter Feldman, Brooks J Spector, Phillipa Sandilands, Renos Spanoudes, Sizie Modise, Tselane Tambo and William Prophet. An independent auditor verified the results.

The winners in each category are:

Best New South African Play Produced - Karoo Moose - Produced by Baxter Theatre Centre in association with Absa and Aardklop. Presented by the Market Theatre. Written and directed by Lara Foot Newton

Best Production of a Straight Play - Karoo Moose - Produced by Baxter Theatre Centre in association with Absa and Aardklop. Presented by the Market Theatre. Written and directed by Lara Foot Newton

Best Production of a Musical - Beauty and the Beast - Produced by Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman in association with Disney Theatrical Productions. Directed by Robert Jess Roth.

Best Director of a Play or Musical (sponsored by Percy Tucker) - Lara Foot Newton - Karoo Moose

Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Play) - Dorothy-Ann Gould - Hello and Goodbye

Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role (Play) - Mdu Kweyama - Karoo Moose

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Hamilton Dlamini - Ten Bush

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Zoleka Helesi - Karoo Moose

Best Performance in a Musical (Male) - Jonathan Roxmouth - Beauty and the Beast

Best Performance in a Musical (Female) - Gina Shmukler - Chess

Best Original Choreography (Musical or Revue) - Mdu Kweyama - Karoo Moose

Best Musical Director / Score / Arrangement - Philip Miller - Rewind

Best Production Cutting Edge/Ensemble - Karoo Moose - Produced by Baxter Theatre Centre in association with Absa and Aardklop, presented by the Market Theatre. Written and directed by Lara Foot Newton

Best Comedy Performance (Male) (Play, Musical or Revue): A tie between Beauty and the Beast 's Jonathan Roxmouth (Gaston) and Sibu Radebe (Lefou)

Best Comedy Performance (Female) (Play, Musical or Revue) - Judy Page - The Full Monty

Best Performance by a Newcomer / Breakthrough (Female) - Chuma Sopotela - Karoo Moose

Best Performance by a Newcomer / Breakthrough (Male) - Sibu Radebe - Beauty and the Beast

Best Costume Design - Leigh Bishop - Magic Flute

Best Theatre Set Design - Gerhard Marx - Rewind

Best Theatre Lighting Design - Nomvula Molepo - The Jungle Book

Best Theatre Sound Design/Sound Effects - Radio Drama Department SAFM: Schalk Vorster, Bruce Millar and Willem van der Meijden - For Your Ears Only

Best Community Theatre Production: (sponsored by Computicket) - 8 o' Clock written and directed by Moses Muyela, produced by Extroverts Entertainment, Witbank

A new award was presented for the first time this year: the Executive Director's Award: presented by Dawn Lindberg and sponsored by Connie Nkosi, one of the directors of Naledi and chairman of Lidonga group, to the producers and cast of The Magic Flute for their outstanding contribution to audience development by opening the entire season to the public free of charge and for the original and uplifting ‘africanisation' of this legendary work by Mozart.

Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to Lynette Marais, director of the National Arts festival for 20 years, with two posthumous awards going to John Matshikiza and Es'kia Mphahlele, which were received by their children, Lindiwe and Suubi Matshikiza and Chabi Mphahlele.

All the winners received silver Mandela medallions generously donated by the South African Gold Coin Exchange, as well their Naledi trophy made from recycled glass.

Dawn Lindberg acknowledged the generosity of all the sponsors: Nando's, Lidonga Group, the SA Gold Coin Exchange, Computicket, Wharfedale Pro, Matrix Sound, Wits Theatre and founding sponsors Christopher Seabrooke, Percy Tucker and Pieter Toerien. BASA also gave support funding. Distell sponsored the wine and the South African State Theatre generously sponsored the venue, “We were especially thrilled to be at the Drama, State Theatre in Tshwane this time round,” she said, “and we extend our thanks to the Theatre's management and administrative staff, and to all the presenters and entertainers who added their talent, glamour and support to make Naledi better each year.”

Visit www.naleditheatreawards.org.za for more information.