THE MERCURY DURBAN THEATRE AWARDS

It’s Theatre Awards time again! The 13th annual awards evening of The Mercury Durban Theatre Awards takes place on November 23, 2015, at 19h30 at The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN Howard College campus, when the best of Durban theatre will be acknowledged and celebrated.

The awards consider only those productions originating in Durban and presented during the period October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015. These productions represent the genres of drama and comedy, musical theatre, music revue / cabaret, and children’s theatre. There are 27 productions vying for honours at this year’s awards ceremony.

Hosted by radio, television and media personality, Terence Pillay, the evening promises to be a sophisticated and glamo

rous celebration of the local theatre industry. Members of the public can expect to brush shoulders with the who’s who of Durban’s theatre fraternity. The evening will include performances by young up-and-coming performers as well as established performers.

The Mercury Durban Theatre Awards is grateful for the generosity of its sponsors and partners supporting this year’s awards ceremony, most of whom have the supported the awards over the past 13 years. Without such support this event would certainly not take place.

Principal sponsors are media partner The Mercury, Bartel Arts Trust, The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Monica Fairall Memorial Trust, DarkHorse Productions, Stuart Edwards & Company, Publicity Matters, Sunshine Factory, Troubadour Productions, Black Coffee Design, artSMart, Val Adamson Photography and KZN Autocue Services.

Supporting this award system since its inception in 2003 is the Bartel Arts Trust. This trust was established in 1992 through a bequest of the late Hugo Bartel, a wealthy industrialist with a passion for the arts. The Trust sponsors community arts projects, artists, arts projects and student bursaries. It established the BAT Centre in 1996 which became a hub of the performing and visual arts in Durban. In addition to the theatre awards the Trust currently sponsors the Durban Music School, Durban University of Technology Department of Fine Art, the Phansi Museum and several student bursaries in visual and performing arts.

The Mercury Durban Theatre Awards take place on November 23 at 19h30 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Tickets at the theatre on the night only.

This year guests are invited to make a contribution at the door in support of Wayne Scott and other members of the local theatre fraternity who are currently challenged by serious illnesses. For more information, email Peter Taylor on petertaylor@letni.co.za

For a list of the nominations for this year’s awards, click on the flashing green Durban Theatre Awards advert link.