(A scene from “Tau”.
Pic by Jan Potgieter)
More than 200 productions premiered on the Fringe at The
National Arts Festival this year, it was no easy feat for the Ovations Awards
panel to make their way through the Festival’s theatres to select work that
stood out and made audiences stand up.
Tracey Saunders, convenor of the 2017 panel, said that the
range of work on offer was diverse – from delicate, solo work to large, chaotic
ensembles and several permutations in between. “A willingness to take risks was
evident in many productions and in several instances it paid off. Exciting work
came from unexpected places and if the Fringe reflects the state of the
performing arts in the country, it is bold, vibrant and angry.”
GOLD - STANDARD BANK
OVATION AWARDS 2017
Hani: The Legacy by
Market Theatre Laboratory (Theatre)
Tau by One Man and
His Dog and The Market Theatre (Theatre)
SILVER - STANDARD
BANK OVATION AWARDS 2017
Bayephi by
Thembela Madliki (Theatre)
Human Pieces II by
The South African Theatre Village (Theatre)
In(S)Kin by Artscape
(Theatre)
Silent Scars by Calvin
Ratladi Foundation/Zabalaza Theatre Festival (Theatre)
Tats Nkonzo Is
Privileged by ExploSIV Productions (Comedy)
STANDARD BANK OVATION
AWARDS 2017
180 Punchlines! (Three
Laughs A Minute) by Alan Committie (Comedy)
Acoustic Me by LoveChild
(Music)
Agony by Thistle
Productions (Theatre)
Au Revoir by Followspot
Productions (Comedy)
Cattle Drive by Theatre
for Africa (Theatre)
Celebration: Music Of
American Composers by Althea Waites (Classical Music)
Dear Mr Government,
Please May I Have A Meeting With You Even Though I Am Only Six Years Old? by
UJ Arts and Culture (Theatre)
Dikapapa by Generation
of Stars (Physical Theatre)
Down To A Sunless Sea
by Wind Up Mind (Dance)
Ekurhuleni Jazz
Ensemble (Music)
Fire House by Hijinks
Theatre (Theatre)
Flamebook by Jo
Kinda – MDALI (Theatre)
Guy Buttery (Music)
Molora by Tshwane
University of Technology (Theatre)
Nijinsky’s War by Leftfoot
Productions (Theatre)
Samthing Soweto (Music)
State Fracture by ExploSIV
Productions (Comedy)
Syria? by Artscape
(Theatre)
The Devil And Billy
Markham by Contagious (Theatre)
The Kaffirs by Gauteng
Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture (Theatre)
Welcome To The Zoo
by ZikkaZimba and Hijinks Theatre (Theatre)
ADDITIONAL STANDARD
BANK OVATION AWARDS 2017
Encore Award for Battles!
– Iimfazwe! (Storytelling Tour)
Encore Award for Momentum
by the 34/18 Youth Dance Company (Dance)
Encore Award for Opera
Found (Classical Music)
Encore Award for Singing
Chameleon by Ditshimega Domain (Storytelling/Performance Art)
Encore Award for Spiritual
Walk (Theatre)
Merit Award for Kubili
(Two) by Musa Hlatshwayo/Mhayise Productions (Dance)
Stand Out Performance by Daniel Richards in State Fracture (Comedy)
SPECIAL STANDARD BANK
OVATION AWARDS 2017
Standing Ovation was awarded to musician Steve Newman
Standing Ovation was awarded to Tony Lankester to mark 10
years National Arts Festival CEO
Tracey Saunders provides insights into the award winning
work:
“Many of the theatre productions addressed political themes
and interrogated the absence of social justice. Through the eyes of a child in Izim Le Toilet, students in Welcome To The Zoo and the widows of
miners in A Women’s Tears, frustration
and a quest for justice were unifying features.
“There was a palpable anger in much of the work and the
scourge of sexual violence and femicide was addressed on stage by many actors.
In the comedy genre, identity politics and the unique character of South
Africans provided ample material for comedians but the ones that struck a chord
were those that sourced the punchline from their own lived experience.
“Our collective and individual pasts were scrutinised and
excavated with the retelling of our history and the reclamation of neglected
narratives a dominant theme.
“The Gold winning Hani:
The Legacy was a heart-wrenching and soul-searching portrayal of Hani’s
life and the failed responsibility we bear in not honouring it. The hip-hop,
rap musical was flawless in its delivery and careful attention to detail from
the torn rainbows on costumes to the slick choreography ensured that this
production received resounding standing ovations.
“Tau’s exploration
of masculinity through a very specific cultural practice reflected a universal
search for a less toxic masculine identity. Bold, unapologetic and confident
enough to not present a happy ending, this was a powerful production that
resonated with audiences regardless of the language they spoke.
“The recipients of the Gold and Silver Ovation Awards are
testament to the benefit of investing resources, both financial and creative, in
young theatre makers. Tau, Hani: The
Legacy, Syria, In(S)Kin and Silent
Scars have received some support from The Market Theatre, Artscape, the
State Theatre and the Baxter Theatre respectively The responsibility of these
institutions to develop and nurture work cannot be stressed enough and the
model of supporting existing independent production companies and theatre
makers is essential if productions such as these are to see a life beyond the
Fringe .
“Although Fringe participants didn’t necessarily respond to
the curated theme of disruption, what was evident was the disruption of genres
with the seamless integration of choreography into many theatre productions and
the heightened theatricality evident in dance and some musical works.
“Artists working on the Fringe occupy a unique space and
they have generously shared their vantage point with us. As they point us to
the direction that the performing arts is headed in South Africa, they beckon
us to venture forth towards new horizons. It may not always be a comfortable
journey, but it sure as hell is going to be exciting. I’m keen to accept the
invitation, will you?” concludes Saunders.
The 2017 panel was convened by Tracey Saunders. Panel
members were Jade Bowers, Lara Bye, Motlatji Ditodi, Mhlanguli George, Caryn
Green, Mwenya Kabwe, Lliane Loots, Zanele Madiba, Alby Michaels, Jayne Morgan,
Nobesuthu Rayi, Sarah Roberson, Warona Seane, Mareli Stolp, Hugo Theart, Simon
Tibbs and Lee-Ann van Rooi.
THE STUDENT THEATRE
AWARDS
This year the Student Fest was integrated into the Fringe.
The NAF Festival Office said, “the aim of this was to provide a realistic
experience of performing at a Festival”. The productions therefore needed to
follow the rules of the Fringe and meet the demands of the tight technical
rehearsal schedule, and they had to make choices that sat well within the
spatial limitations of their respective Fringe venues.
Convenor of the Student Theatre Advisory Panel, Greg Homann
said, “The work presented on the Student Festival this year was generally of a
high level with most of the students choosing to create new plays that explore
issues close to their lived experience. We saw many excellent performances and
some incredibly impressive ensemble work.”
Student Theatre Award for Best Production:
Molora from Tshwane
University of Technology’s Drama & Film Department. Directed by Kopano
Maema
Student Theatre Award for Best Original Work:
Cult Clit from Rhodes
University Drama Department. Directed by Mmatumisang Motsisi
Student Theatre Merit Award for Original Work:
Pop Icheri from
The Market Theatre Laboratory. Written by Ncumisa Ndimeni & Nosipho
Buthelezi
Award for Best Stage Manager:
Manoko Tlhako from Rhodes University Drama Department
Student Theatre Award for Best Marketing & Publicity for
a Student Theatre Production: Not awarded in 2017
Molora was an
excellent staging of Yaël Farber’s text, with the ensemble cast and creative
team integrating strong choreographic elements, superb ensemble vocal work and
singing, with a clear commitment to telling the story. Cult Clit impressed with its clear vision and unified team. Here
the choreography, design and tight performance ensemble elements worked
harmoniously to create an entirely cohesive and powerful original theatre
production.
The student advisory team made special mention of Pop Icheri from the Market Theatre’s Lab.
Homann said, “This work made use of strong ensemble work, clear storytelling,
and a good sense of theatrical style to explore the issue of awarding ‘virgin
bursaries’ to university students.”
Special mention was also made of The Citizen created by students from Law, Accounting, and other departments
across the University of the Western Cape. These students collaborated with the
Gender Equity Unit at the University of the Western Cape to create a work that
encapsulates a commitment to using theatre as a platform for students to
explore their own personal experiences and narratives, and in so doing, to
empower themselves and the audience who saw the work.
The Student Festival’s advisory team this year included
Mwenya Kabwe, Tracey Saunders, Lara Bye, Thami akaMbongo, Liiane Loots, and
Nobesuthu Rayi. It was headed up by Greg Homann. Only work created by students
was eligible for awards.
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NAF site click on the large banner that runs across the top of this blog)
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