Naledi Theatre Awards honours top SA artists
It was all glitz and glamour as the winners in the prestigious Naledi Theatre Awards were announced recently at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City Casino.
The rags-to-riches story of up and coming 1960s girl group, Dreamgirls, had garnered ten nominations. It won three awards, for Best Performance in a Musical (Female) for Lindiwe Bungane, Best Performance by Newcomer/Breakthrough (Bjorn Blignaut), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role/Cameo (Candida Mosoma).
There were a few big winners that notched up three awards each. Mandela Trilogy, which garnered eight nominations, walked off with Best Production of a Musical, Best Theatre Set Design (Michael Mitchell), and Best Theatre Lighting Design (Faheem Bardien).
Three awards for The Pirates of Penzance/b>
The downsized version of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic masterpiece, The Pirates of Penzance, also won three awards; for Best Original Choreography: Play or Musical (Shelley Adriaanzen), Best Ensemble Production/Cutting Edge and Best Comedy Performance: Play or Musical (David Dennis).
Aubrey Sekhabi's uncompromising production of The Rivonia Trial also won three awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role (Play) for Sello Maake ka Ncube, Best New South African Script (Musical or Play) and Best Director: Play or Musical.
Nataniël's Combat: Nataniël bagged two awards, for Best Costume Design (Floris Louw) and Best Performance in a Musical (Male). Alan Swerdlow's immaculately directed The History Boys won Best Productions of a Play and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role/Cameo (Clyde Berning).
Lifetime award for Judy Page
Robyn Scott walked off for Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Play) for her acclaimed role as the elderly Jewish grandmother in London Road. The Executive Directors Award went to Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler of the Handspring Puppet Company for the internationally acclaimed Warhorse. South African music and theatre legends Judy Page and Thandi Klaasen won lifetime awards.
"This year's Naledi Awards was a celebration of South African legends, international groundbreakers and of the remarkable virtuosity and talent of South African artists who continue to push the boundaries of excellence," said Ismail Mahomed, board member of the Naledi Awards and Director of the National Arts Festival.
"The roll of honour with its impressive list of winners and nominations is also a tribute to the institutions, corporate organisations, funders and audiences who support and recognise the value of how the South African performing arts sector continues to define us as a nation and how it enriches our lives," he added.
