(Durban’s
Greg King was honoured for his work (with Shanti Naidoo) on “Shrek the Musical”
and set design for “Suddenly the Storm”)
The musical Annie came out tops at the annual Naledi Theatre Awards by
garnering four awards, including Best Production of a Musical. Three other highly-acclaimed
productions, Scorched, Suddenly the Storm
and the musical, TAU, won three
awards each at a glittering event held at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City last
week.
South African theatre in all its glory was
celebrated on the night with entertainment, heartfelt speeches and surprises in
the field of musical theatre where an Afrikaans production, Altyd in My Drome, walked off with two
awards, including Best Director for its creator Neels Claasen.
Two international musicals, Shrek The Musical and the every-abiding
classic Singin' in the Rain, were
also honoured with two awards each. In addition to this, the Afrikaans play, AS, won recognition for the Best
Cutting Edge production, while musical wunderkind Bryan Schimmel, who has
received no fewer than nine nominations in his career, won the Best Musical
Director award for his work on Annie.
For the first time two nominees in the Best
Lighting Design category shared an award. They were Hlomohang Mothetho (TAU) and Wesley France (Suddenly the Storm). Greg King was
honoured for his work (with Shanti Naidoo) on Shrek the Musical in Best Costume Design and again for Best Set
Design for Suddenly the Storm.
Historically, the performing arts have inspired
action and infuse strength to act upon the arts’ message when they couldn't
deliver it in words themselves. This was the narrative that echoed throughout
the evening’s performances and award categories, as judges celebrated those
artists and productions that proved a catalyst for discussions around change,
cut across racial, cultural, social, educational, and economic barriers and
enhanced cultural appreciation and awareness. "We made a strong statement
in support of LGBTQ rights with a special arrangement of John Lennon’s Imagine, led by Timothy Moloi and 10 of
our very best voices in harmony," shared Naledi Executive Director Dawn
Lindberg.
The judges went into raptures over the
ground-breaking African musical, TAU,
which won in the categories Best Ensemble and Best Original Choreography for
Nhlanhla Mahlangu. Pay Back the Curry,
an acerbic look at South African society, written by the celebrated Mike van
Graan and performed by comedian Daniel Richards earned a Best Newcomer Award
for the versatile Richards.
I See
You, a hard-hitting South African play about police
corruption and brutality, which was produced by the Market Theatre in
collaboration with the Royal Court Theatre in London, won favour with the
judges with two awards, including Best Lead Performance in a Play (Male) going
to Desmond Dube.
Porselein a bold, abrasive, in-your-face Afrikaans production that did not
hold back on its punches and hammered home its message in no uncertain terms
was acknowledged when Tiaan Slabbert was given an award for Best Supporting
Actor. Veteran South African playwright Paul Slabolepszy received an award for
Best New South African Script for Suddenly
the Storm, while Ameera Patel (Best Supporting Actress) and Ilse Klink
(Best Lead Performance in a Play: Female) won awards for their contribution to Scorched.
Four special awards were bequeathed on the
night. Erik Holm, who is confined to a wheelchair after breaking his neck in a
diving accident, was presented “The Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award”, while the
“Executive Director’s Award” was handed to POPART for their innovative and
exciting work in Maboneng. Haccious Mokokapasi, who has been a stage manager
for over 50 years at various theatres was honoured to accept the “Lifetime
Achievement Award” and finally the “World Impact Award” was bestowed upon
legendary icon, Johnny Clegg, who is about to embark on his farewell world
tour, after an astounding 40 years in the industry.
Now in its 13th year, the Naledi Theatre
Awards applaud theatre excellence and is the biggest event on the Gauteng
theatre calendar. With Tumi Morake and Alan Committie at the helm as the hosts
for the evening, the audience was treated to an evening packed with wit, humour
and boundless energy. The star-studded affair, which saw a host of celebrity
presenters show up in their glamorous ensembles, included award-winning
thespian John Kani, director Jade Bowers, actors Neels Claasen, Zak Hendrikz,
Vusi Kunene, as well as TV stars, Jennifer Nkosi and Kgomotso Christopher.
Lindberg said the standard of excellence
gets higher and higher each year. “The panel sees over 100 productions each
year, with over 300 nominees on the list of excellence,” she imparts. “Judging
takes place over a weekend with everyone on the panel allowed space to debate
and discuss each and every of the 27 categories. The final votes are by secret
ballot and verified by Zeridium.”
An exciting line up of presenters and
entertainers were assembled on the night, including nominee Lilla Fleishmann,
the star of Annie, performing Tomorrow, Earl Gregory from Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat singing Close
Every Door to Me, and award-winning Daniel Richards delivering a sketch
from the comedy Pay Back the Curry. The
Kings of Harmony performed a moving tribute to the departed and the evening
came to a close as the entire cast of Sarafina
re-assembled to execute an emotive and rousing finale with Freedom will come tomorrow.
"The process of seeing, analysing and
assessing all professional productions staged in Gauteng during each year is a
full-time job which is not always acknowledged, " adds Lindberg.
"Lack of sufficient financial support from Government and commercial
sponsors is a constant battle, but Naledi is proud to be internationally
recognised as the benchmark of excellence in South African live theatre.”
For more information, visit www.naleditheatreawards.org.za
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