(Michael
Richard in KickstArt’s “Red”)
South Africa's premier theatre awards
celebrate a remarkable milestone this year – a decade of theatre excellence. KZN
features strongly this year, with KickstArt’s Cabaret and Red as well
as Neil Coppen’s Abnormal Loads being
among the nominees.
The Naledi Theatre Awards have grown from
their humble beginnings at the Sound Stage in Midrand into one of the biggest
awards events for live theatre in South Africa. Over the last decade, the brand
has recognised more than 2,000 nominees and 250 winners and has raised the
profile of South African theatre, establishing a brand that is respected and
valued by the industry, both internationally and locally.
This year, Auto & General Insurance
have come on board to support the Naledi Theatre Awards for a three-year
period. Business and Arts South Africa has once again supported the Naledi
Theatre Awards with a supporting grant.
Each year, the winners are honoured in a
spectacular awards ceremony, which brings all the stars out to play and also
pays tribute to the achievers who make the South African stage such an
energetic and passionate part of a country's culture.
KZN nominees include:
-
Best Production of Musical: Cabaret - produced by Pieter Toerien and
KickstArt Production directed by Steven Stead
-
Best Production of a Play: Red - KickstArt in association NAF and
Old Mutual Theatre on the Square directed by Steven Stead and Abnormal Loads - produced by the Market
Theatre in association with Standard Bank and Think Theatre, written by Neil
Coppen, directed by Neil Coppen and Janna Ramos-Violante
-
Best New South African Script: Abnormal Loads - Neil Coppen. Produced
by The Market Theatre in association with Standard Bank and Think Theatre,
directed by Neil Coppen and Janna Ramos-Violante
-
Best Performance by an Actor in
a Lead Role (Play): Michael Richard in Red
-
Best Performance by an Actress
in a Lead Role (Play): Jenna Dunster in Abnormal
Loads
-
Best Performance in a Musical
(Male): Sascha Halbhuber and Bryan Hiles for Cabaret.
-
Best Performance in a Musical
(Female): Samantha Peo for Cabaret
-
Best Director of a Play or
Musical: Neil Coppen and Janna Ramos-Violante for Abnormal Loads and Steven Stead for Red.
-
Best Performance by an Actor in
a Supporting Role / Cameo: Peter Court for Cabaret
and Jeremy Richard for Red
-
Best Performance by an Actress in a
Supporting Role / Cameo: Alison Cassels and Fortune Dhlomo for Abnormal Loads and Charon Williams-Ros
for Cabaret.
-
Best Musical Director / Score /
Arrangement: Gary Thomas (Score) - Abnormal Loads and Evan Roberts (MD) for Cabaret
-
Best Original Choreography
(Musical or Play): Janine Bennewith for Cabaret.
-
Best Theatre Lighting Design:
Tina Le Roux for Abnormal Loads
-
Best Theatre Set Design: Greg
King for Red and Neil Coppen for Abnormal Loads
The executive director and driving force
behind the incredible achievement, Dawn Lindberg, as well as Patron Dr John
Kani, Chairman Dali Tambo and board members Welcome Msomi and Ismail Mahomed
have ensured the success of the Naledi Awards.
The Naledis have received funding from
National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for the past two years. They have also
been supported by the Lyric Theatre over the past three years (the theatre and
all facilities have amounted to more than R250,000) and private business – in
particular, Wharfedale, Chauvet Lighting, Audiosure and Distell, who have provided
supported for many years.
The Arts Angels, people in their private
capacity who have supported the Naledi Theatre Awards since its existence,
include Christopher Seabrooke (for nine years), Percy Tucker (for ten years)
and the latest Angel, Carolyn Steyn.
The Naledi Theatre Awards takes place on
March 18 at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City. This year's function will be
open to the public and will feature a wonderful entertainment line-up and
celebrity presenters. A pre-show cocktail and glass of wine is included in
ticket price, which range from R50 for students to R200. Tickets available at www.goldreefcity.co.za
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