NALEDI AWARDS 2010 NOMINATIONS

The 8th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards takes place on March 7, 2011, at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City. The Awards have an excellent tradition of sniffing out noteworthy work in South African theatre, and this year is no exception.

Naledi judges comprise: Producers from the theatre and/or television world: Helen Heldenmuth and Welcome Msomi; Arts journalists: Peter Feldman, Mandla Motau, Moira De Swardt, Zingi Mkefa, and Khetha Mkhize; Drama teachers and academics: Janet Bayliss, Kholu Nemungadi, Phillipa Sandilands, Renos Spanoudes and Dorianne Alexander. The ‘Criteria for Judging’ list can be seen at www.naleditheatreawards.org.za

“We’re thrilled to have received some funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) for the first time this year,” Dawn enthused. “This has enabled us to book top-line entertainment for the awards ceremony and to create a ‘new look’ in terms of our branding. We are also grateful to our regular sponsors, Wharfedale Pro, Matrix Sound, and Chauvet Lighting, as well as individual sponsors, Christopher Seabrooke and Percy Tucker. Distell has once again sponsored the wine, and Gold Reef City have kindly donated their beautiful Lyric Theatre for the ceremony.”

The Nominations see two KZN artists being acknowledged for their work in Johannesburg:

Durban actress Clare Mortimer is among the nominees for Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Play) for her moving portrayal of a virtuoso violinist stricken with multiple sclerosis in Duet for One.

David Gouldie is nominated for Best Original Choreography for Evita

The Naledi Award Ceremony will take place at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City on March 7. Booking is at Computicket.