Eight years on and still recognising theatrical excellence!
The 8th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards takes place on Monday 07 March 2011 at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City.
The Naledi Awards have an excellent tradition of sniffing out noteworthy work in South African theatre, and this year is no exception!
The Naledi judges are:
Producers from the theatre and/or television world: Helen Heldenmuth and Welcome Msomi;
Arts journalists: Peter Feldman, Mandla Motau, Moira De Swardt, Zingi Mkefa, and Khetha Mkhize;
Drama teachers and academics: Janet Bayliss, Kholu Nemungadi, Phillipa Sandilands, Renos Spanoudes and Dorianne Alexander.
The ‘Criteria for Judging’ list has been posted on the Naledi website by the Executive Director, Dawn Lindberg. Interested parties can go to: www.naleditheatreawards.co.za
“We’re thrilled to have received some funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) for the first time this year,” Dawn enthused. “This has enabled us to book top-line entertainment for the awards ceremony, and to create a ‘new look’ in terms of our branding.
We are also grateful to our regular sponsors, Wharfedale Pro, Matrix Sound, and Chauvet Lighting, as well as individual sponsors, Christopher Seabrooke and Percy Tucker. Distell has once again sponsored the wine, and Gold Reef City have kindly donated their beautiful Lyric Theatre for the ceremony.”
The Nominations:
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL (The Joan Brickhill Award) – Sponsored by Christopher Seabrooke
Pieter Toerien Productions, for their bold staging of Evita; a production directed by Paul Warwick Griffin that packed out the Toerien Theatre at Montecasino.
Big Concerts and Showtime Management for the brash, carefree ABBA-inspired spectacular, Mamma Mia! directed by Phyllida Lloyd.
The SA State Theatre and Packed House Productions for the new local show, Shaka Zulu, jointly directed by Deon Opperman and Samson Khumalo.
The Market Theatre for Songs of Migration, which was written & directed by James Ngcobo, and based on the original play at the South African State Theatre called ‘The Rehearsal’.
The Joburg Theatre for the spectacularly-staged The Boys in the Photograph, which was directed by the award-winning stalwart, Janice Honeyman.
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
The Market Theatre produced three nominees:
Death of a Colonialist, a startling play which “intercuts” between a South African classroom and home, and was written by Greg Latter and directed by Craig Freim.
Girl in the Yellow Dress, which was produced in association with The Live Theatre (Newcastle) and The Citizen's Theatre (Glasgow), was written by Craig Higginson, and directed by veteran SA director Malcolm Purkey.
The Pen, which tells of a young playwright in the throes of writing a new play, and was written by Monde Mayephu and directed by Mpho Molepo.
The tireless Daphne Kuhn at The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square came up with two nominees:
Master Harold and the Boys, the Athol Fugard contemporary classic, which was directed by James Ngcobo.
We and Them, an engrossing drama which examined the life of the ageing Wallis Simpson. It was co-presented with Davnic Productions and directed by Ingrid Sonnichsen & Christopher Weare.
BEST NEW SOUTH AFRICAN PLAY OR MUSICAL PRODUCED
Here, The Market Theatre scooped all the nominations:
Songs of Migration
Death of a Colonialist
Girl in the Yellow Dress
The Pen
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE (PLAY)
Jamie Barlett, for his riveting portrayal of the veteran teacher Harold Smith in Death of a Colonialist.
Graham Hopkins, for his part in the moving two-hander, Tuesdays with Morrie.
Nat Ramabulana, for his sensitive interpretation of Pierre, the young French-Congolese student in The Girl in the Yellow Dress.
Masoja Msiza, for poignantly revisiting a painful chapter in South Africa’s history in Biko: Where the Soul Resides.
Sello Maake ka-Ncube, for his portrayal of the playwright wrestling with writer’s block, in The Pen.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEAD ROLE (PLAY)-
Clare Mortimer for her moving portrayal of a virtuoso violinist stricken with multiple sclerosis in Duet for One.
Lena Farugia, as an introspective Wallis Simpson in We and Them.
Marianne Oldham, as the complex English coach in The Girl in the Yellow Dress.
Mnabatho Mogomotsi, whose radiant performance joins the numerous other nominations for The Pen.
Sandra Prinsloo The veteran actress dazzled in a one-person show in which an ageing grandmother reminisces about her life: Die Naai Masjien.
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL (MALE)
Sponsored by Christopher Seabrooke
David Chevers - who played John Kelly in male-bonding saga, The Boys in the Photograph.
Hugh Masekela - who lent his mastery to the Market Theatre’s Songs of Migration.
James Borthwick - who provided depth to the character of Juan Peron in Evita.
Jonathan Roxmouth - as the egotistical, preening Danny in Grease.
Lindani Nkosi - as the Sangoma and Narrator in Shaka Zulu, The Musical.
Murray Todd - as one of the maybe-fathers in the light-hearted Mamma Mia!
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL (FEMALE)
Sponsored by Christopher Seabrooke
Angela Kilian - who asked us not to cry for her in Evita. She received standing ovations every night.
Candida Mosoma - for playing Shaka’s mother, Nandi, in the theatre-rattling production of Shaka Zulu.
Carly Graeme - for her astute portrayal of Mary Maquire in The Boys in the Photograph.
Gina Shmukler - for adding her customary gusto to the breezy Mamma Mia!
Nobunthu Mpahlaza - for her dramatic contribution to the popular Shaka Zulu.
Sibongile Khumalo - This powerful voice needs no introduction - and it was put to good use in Songs of Migration.
BEST CUTTING-EDGE PRODUCTION
Between the Teeth - Produced by The Bucklands and Barney Simon Theatre, Market Theatre Complex, and directed by Janet Buckland.
Butcher Brothers - Presented by The Market Theatre, originally produced by Dark Laugh and supported by Wits 969 2010 and a part of Arts Alive 2010. Directed by Sylvaine Strike.
Quack - Produced by FTHK and presented in association with The Market Theatre and Arts Alive. Directed by Rob Murray.
The Off-side Rules - Produced by the Goethe-Institut of SA, The Market Theatre and Dorky Park. Directed by Constanza Macras.
Womb Tide - Produced by FTHK and presented in association with The Market Theatre and Arts Alive. Directed by Rob Murray.
BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY OR MUSICAL
Sponsored by Percy Tucker
Craig Freimond - Death of a Colonialist
James Ngcobo - Master Harold and the Boys
Malcolm Purkey - The Girl in the Yellow Dress
Mpho Molepo - The Pen
Paul Warwick-Griffin - Evita
BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE (PLAY, MUSICAL OR REVUE)
Alan Committie - for his hysterical contribution to the knock-about farce Boeing Boeing.
David Isaacs - for the humour of the school reunion comedy Joe Barber 5 School Cuts.
Marc Lottering – for his crowd-pleasing, Vaudeville-style patter in the panto, Robinson Crusoe.
Matthew Ribnick - for his no-holds-barred approach to Geraldine Naidoo's new comedy, Monkey Nuts.
Michelle Botha - for bringing levity, as Jock’s best friend and confidante, to the new South African show, Jock of the Bushveld.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE/CAMEO
Karabo Maithufi - as the playful Pepper in Mamma Mia!
Matt Counihan – the talented up-and coming performer brought zest, in his role as Doody, to Grease.
Michael Richard - for his thunderous villainy as Beelzebub in the panto, Robinson Crusoe.
Nat Ramabulana - for his poignant contribution to Master Harold and the Boys.
Pakamisa Zwedala - for his dramatic service, also for Master Harold and the Boys.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE/CAMEO
Illse Klink - as an ageing former member of a pop trio in Mamma Mia!
Kate Normington - also, as one the ageing former pop singers in Mamma Mia!
Tammi Mayer - for portraying the shy Bernadette in The Boys in the Photograph.
Thembeka Mnguni - for playing Miss Lynch and the gospel-style Teen Angel in Grease.
Zandile Msutwana - for her sympathetic interpretation of Thandi, the muse, in The Pen.
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR/SCORE/ARRANGEMENT
Sponsored by Matrix Sound
Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Louis Zurnamer (MD) Evita
Clinton Zerf - (MD) The Boys in the Photograph
Ezbie Moilwa - (MD) Songs of Migration
Johan Vorster - (Composer) Jock of the Bushveld
Rowan Bakker - (MD) Mamma Mia!
Victor Masondo - (MD) Ma Brrr
BEST ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY
Celeste Botha - The Boys in the Photograph
Constanza Macras - The Off-side Rules
David Gouldie - Evita
Gregory Maqoma - Master Harold and the Boys
Themba Nkabinde - Ma-Brrr
BEST PERFORMANCE BY A NEWCOMER / BREAKTHROUGH
The Brett Goldin Award
Kenneth Meyer - Evita
Khaya Maseko - African Tapestries
Oscar von Memerty - Circle of Life
Thembalethu Nthuli - Shaka Zulu
Vaughan Gardiner - Jock of the Bushveld
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY OR MUSICAL FOR CHILDREN
African Tapestries - Presented by The National Children's Theatre, and directed by Joyce Levinsohn.
Beautiful Creatures - Produced by Ed Jordan & Alan Glass in association with Showtime Management. Directed by Paul Warwick Griffin.
Peter and the Wolf - Produced by Sylvaine Strike and The Joburg Promusica Theatre.
Noddy - Produced by the People’s Theatre and directed by Jill Girard and Keith Smith.
The Wizard of Oz - Presented by The National Children's Theatre, and directed by Joyce Levinsohn.
BEST THEATRE LIGHTING DESIGN
Sponsored by Chauvet
Jannie Swanepoel and Gareth Hewitt Williams - Evita
Nicholas Michaletos - The Boys in the Photograph
Nomvula Molepe - The Off-side Rules
Rob Murray - Wombtide
Wesley France - Songs of Migration
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Anne and Kersten Balles - Sing
Birrie le Roux - The Boys in the Photograph
Leila Anderson - Quack
Noluthando Lobese - Songs of Migration
Penny Simpson - Evita
BEST THEATRE SET DESIGN
Craig Leo & Emily Stark - Wombtide
Gary McCann - The Girl in the Yellow Dress
Johan Engels - The Boys in the Photograph
Nadya Cohen - Master Harold and the Boys
Sarah Roberts - Beautiful Creatures
BEST THEATRE SOUND DESIGN
Sponsored by Wharfedale Pro
Thulasizwe Zondi - Ma-Brrr
Richard Smith - The Boys in the Photograph
Freddy Malesa - Songs of Migration
Mark Malherbe - Evita
Trevor Peters - Shaka Zulu
Some of the judges commented on the arduous task of assessing over 50 productions each year, staged in mainstream theatres in Gauteng:
Zingi Mkefa: “With Dawn Lindberg's visionary leadership, the Naledi Awards judging panel and board have worked, since inception, towards improving their meticulous process of electing and celebrating some of the country's very best artists in theatre. Without doubt, this year's nomination list is an accurate reflection of what was indeed the very best in South Africa's theatre industry of 2010. Accepting that there's always room for improvement, we continue to find new ways of raising the credibility of what is determined to be the premier accolade in South African theatre."
Peter Feldman: “The mix this year showed a balance between the veteran actors and the younger performers, who are the future. Also, the depth and quality of the productions show how much great talent there is out there on all creative levels.”
Kheta Mkhize: “Although a tough assignment to do because of the splendid quality of productions, it was absolutely fantastic to be a part of the championship of diversity in South African theatre.”
There are tickets available at Computicket for the Naledi Award Ceremony, happening at the Lyric Theatre on 7th March 2011.
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