DURBAN THEATRE AWARDS

The 14th annual Durban Theatre Awards evening takes place on November 21 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 from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016. These productions represent the genres of drama and comedy, musical theatre, and children’s theatre. This past year has been a rather lean year for theatre in Durban with only 20 new and restaged productions vying for honours at this year’s awards ceremony.

Hosted once again by radio, television and media personality, Terence Pillay, the evening promises to be a sophisticated and glamorous celebration of Durban’s local theatre industry. Members of the public are welcome to join in the celebration can expect to brush shoulders with the who’s who of Durban’s theatre fraternity.

Durban Theatre Awards is grateful for the generosity of its sponsors and partners supporting this year’s awards ceremony, many of whom have supported the awards over the past 14 years. Without such support this event would not take place.

Principal sponsors are the KwaZulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust, The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, DarkHorse Productions, Publicity Matters, Sunshine Factory, Black Coffee Designs, artSMart, Val Adamson Photography and KZN Autocue Services.

The Durban Theatre Awards take place at 19h30 on November 21 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Booking is through Computicket.

The list of nominations is as follows:

1. Poster Design

Shirley Berko: Into the Woods; Shirley Berko: Puss in Boots; Jason Bird: Comedy Masterclass; Vanessa Burger, AdDesigns101: Sweetie Darling; Freshpress: Winnie The Pooh; Brad Purchase & Jacobus van Heerden: SuperChop

2. Sound Design

Stephanie Pais: Puss in Boots; Ross van Wyk: Comedy Masterclass; Ross van Wyk: Into the Woods; Ross van Wyk: Winnie The Pooh

3. Lighting Design

Michael Broderick: Comedy Masterclass; Michael Broderick: SuperChop; Tina le Roux: Into the Woods; Tina le Roux: Puss in Boots; Tina le Roux: Ulwembu; Tina le Roux: Winnie The Pooh

4. Costume Design

Greg King: Puss in Boots; Greg King: Winnie The Pooh; Neil Stuart Harris: Into the Woods

5. Set Design

Michael Broderick: SuperChop; Greg King: Into the Woods; Greg King: Puss in Boots; Greg King: Winnie The Pooh

6. New Performer – Female - No nominations

7. New Performer – Male

Jonathan Cohen: White Christmas; Ngcebo Cele: Ulwembu; Zenzo Msomi: Ulwembu; Phumlani Ngubane: Ulwembu

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

8. Supporting Actress

Liesl Coppin: Winnie The Pooh; Belinda Henwood: Puss in Boots; Caitlin Kilburn: Puss in Boots

9. Supporting Actor

Lyle Buxton: Puss in Boots; Peter Court: Puss in Boots; Peter Court: Winnie The Pooh; Bryan Hiles: Winnie The Pooh; Nhlakanipho Manqele: Puss in Boots; Nhlakanipho Manqele: Winnie The Pooh; Anthony Stonier: Winnie The Pooh

10. Lead Actress

Londiwe Dhlomo: Puss in Boots; Belinda Henwood: Winnie The Pooh

11. Lead Actor

Rowan Bartlett: Winnie The Pooh; Rory Booth: Puss in Boots; Bryan Hiles: Puss in Boots; Darren King: Puss in Boots

12. Director

Peter Court: Winnie The Pooh; Bryan Hiles: A Froggy Fairytale; Clinton Small: Scrooge – A Christmas Carol; Steven Stead: Puss in Boots

13. Production

A Froggy Fairytale: Bryan Hiles iaw The Rhumbelow Theatre; Puss in Boots: KickstArt; Scrooge – A Christmas Carol: The Actors Unemployed Company iaw The Rhumbelow Theatre; Winnie The Pooh: KickstArt

MUSICAL THEATRE

14. Choreography

Janine Bennewith: Puss in Boots; David Gouldie: SuperChop; Leigh Meyer: Into The Woods; Daisy Spencer: Winnie The Pooh

16. Supporting Actress: Musical Theatre

Liesl Coppin: Into the Woods; Haylea Hounsom: Into the Woods; Marion Loudon: Into the Woods; Katy Moore: Into the Woods

17. Supporting Actor: Musical Theatre

Peter Court: Into the Woods; Nathan Kruger: Into the Woods; Graeme Wicks: Into the Woods

18. Lead Actress: Musical Theatre

Lisa Bobbert: Into the Woods; Francis Currie: Into the Woods; Jessica Sole: Into the Woods

19. Lead Actor: Musical Theatre

Lyle Buxton: Into the Woods; Bryan Hiles: Into the Woods; Jacobus van Heerden: SuperChop

20. Musical Director

Jason Bird: Winnie The Pooh; Shelley McLean: Funny Father Christmas; Evan Roberts: Puss in Boots; Drew Reinstra: Into the Woods

21. Director

Liam Magner: SuperChop; Steven Stead: Into the Woods

23. Musical Theatre Production

Into the Woods: KickstArt; SuperChop: Neon Anthems

DRAMA / COMEDY

24. Script

Clinton Marius: Sweetie Darling; Clinton Marius: White Christmas; Collaboration: Neil Coppen, Dylan McGarry, Mpume Mtombeni, Ngcebo Cele, Vumani Khumalo, Zenzo Msomi, Phumlani Ngubane, Sandile Nxumalo: Ulwembu; Aaron McIlroy & Patrick Kenny: Comedy Masterclass; Sboniso Msimango: Flipside; Jacobus van Heerden: SuperChop

25. Supporting Actress - No nominations

26. Supporting Actor

Vumani Khumalo: Ulwembu; Phumlani Ngubane: Ulwembu; Sandile Nxumalo: Ulwembu; Wanda Zuma: Flipside

27. Comedic Performance by a Female - No nominations

28. Comedic Performance by a Male

Bongani Mbatha: Sweetie Darling; Aaron McIlroy: Comedy Masterclass

29. Strictly Solo

Jonathan Cohen: White Christmas; Bongani Mbatha: Sweetie Darling; Aaron McIlroy: Comedy Masterclass

30. Lead Actress

Mpume Mthombeni: Ulwembu

31. Lead Actor

Ngcebo Cele: Ulwembu; Jonathan Cohen: White Christmas; Bongani Mbatha: Sweetie Darling; Aaron McIlroy: Comedy Masterclass; Sboniso Msimango: Flipside; Zenzo Msomi: Ulwembu

32. Director

Neil Coppen: Ulwembu; Patrick Kenny: Comedy Masterclass; Clinton Marius: Sweetie Darling; Clinton Marius: White Christmas; Sboniso Msimango: Flipside

33. Production

Comedy Masterclass: MacBob Productions; Flipside: WordPlay Company; Sweetie Darling: CopyDog Productions iaw The Playhouse Company; Ulwembu: Empatheatre, The Playhouse Company & Open Society Foundations; White Christmas: Copy Dog

34. Judges Award - Announced on the night

ARTISAN NEWS

(Bone china bowls by John Shirley)

The arrival of elegant and delicate bone china bowls by John Shirley at the Artisan Gallery has generated much interest among ceramic enthusiasts. These striking black and grey abstract decorations on the purest white marks a fresh approach in the work of this master ceramicist.

Other exciting and different new work is by Jabu Nala with her bold contemporary take on traditional Zulu pots.

Artisan Gallery is situated at 344 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban. The gallery is wheelchair friendly. More information on 031 312 4364 or 083 301 5747, email: artisan.ingrid@gmail.com or visit www.artisan.co.za

NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI FOR KZN

(Nduduzo Makhathini)

In association with Concerts SA, iSupport Music Business and Rainbow Restaurant present three KwaZulu-Natal concerts of pianist Nduduzo Makhathini.

Makhathini and his band will visit Luthuli Museum in Groutville, Seaman’s Corner in Hammarsdale and Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown.

Growing up in the small town uMgungundlovu near Pietermaritzburg, Makhathini was surrounded by music as a child. Coming from a very musical family - his mother was a pianist and his father a guitarist - he was exposed to a range of music including traditional Zulu music. He recalls turning the knob on the radio until it reached the end, where he would listen to Indian music. He was part of the choir at school and would sing at church. It was only after High School that he started to study jazz piano. “I reached a point where my voice limited me from expressing the music, and that’s when I focused on the piano.’’

He feels his career has developed in what he describes as `an organic process', starting with his upbringing and the influence of his mother as his first piano teacher. “Over the years, I have learnt that if you submit yourself to the music or whatever your dream is, mother-nature has a way of taking care of the rest,” he says.

Nduduzo Makhathini has released six albums: Sketches of Tomorrow, Mother Tongue (nominated for best jazz album at the 2015 SAMA's), Listening To The Ground (nominated for best urban jazz album at MMA’s 2016 and Best Jazz Album SAMA 2016), Matunda Ya Kwanza, Icilongo-The African Peace Suite and Inner Dimensions.

On stage in KwaZulu-Natal the pianist will be joined by Justin Bellairs on alto sax, Siyanda Zulu on trumpet, Stanley Matlou on drums and Dalisu Ndlazi on double bass.

These performances by Nduduzo Makhathini are part of the Concerts SA Venue Circuit which aims to grow a love and support for live music in South African communities, as well as anchor small and medium sized venues in urban and rural Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.

Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within the SAMRO Foundation. Concerts SA receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, and providing support to the sector through research and skills development for music professionals, the project aims to build a vibrant and viable live music circuit in southern Africa.  It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools.

November 4: Doors open at 18h00. Groutville – Luthuli Museum Address: 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street, Groutville (Part of the Annual Luthuli Lecture pre-celebrations) Free entrance. *

November 5– doors open at 18h00. Seaman’s Corner, C568 Dimba Road, Unit 3, Hammarsdale. Entrance R40 - tickets at the door

November 6– doors at 13h00. Rainbow Restaurant, 23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown. Tickets R100 booked through webtickets.co.za or on 083 463 8044.

(*On November 4 at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville, Makhathini and his band will also give a performance workshop to scholars from the Ilembe District.)

For more information visit http://concertssa.co.za, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA

HARRY POTTER POP-UP CHANNEL

Soon after the fun-filled M-Net 30th Birthday BlockParty channel draws to a close on DStv Premium at the end of October, the iconic eight-film Harry Potter series will take over the entertainment on channel 109.

M-Net will treat viewers to a special M-Net Movies Harry Potter pop-up extravaganza from November 4 to 13.

Leading up to the worldwide release of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, an all-new adventure returns viewers to the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling, all M-Net customers will be able to watch all eight Harry Potter films.

In addition to these eight films, the M-Net Movies Harry Potter Pop-Up channel will be packed with specials and features around the making of this hugely successful movie franchise. The channel will run for 17 hours per day from 06h00 until 23h00.

Every night at 20h00 viewers will be captivated by the magic of the Harry Potter stories and transported into the spellbinding world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The films will be screened in this time-slot each day in chronological order. But, if viewers can’t wait another day to watch the next film in the series, they can watch back-to-back screenings throughout the day.

Adapted from J.K. Rowling’s bestselling series of seven books, the extraordinary Harry Potter films feature Daniel Radcliffe in the title role. His best friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, are portrayed by Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

For more than a decade, Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter films have captivated the hearts and imaginations of children and adults all over the globe with enchanting tales of magic, adventure and friendship. While the franchise turned these young stars into household names, veterans like Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman and Robbie Coltrane round out the storylines.

For more information on M-Net’s Harry Potter Pop-Up channel and the full schedule, go to www.mnet.tv You can also join the conversation with @mnetmovies on twitter.