The Naledi Theatre Awards, A Shining Star During Lockdown.
Kgmotso Christopher the Chairperson of the Naledi Theatre Awards is delighted to announce the Nominations for the Awards for the years in Review 2020 and 2021.
Christopher says,
“The years 2020 and 2021 have been incredibly difficult years for the Performing Arts globally and has hit home particularly hard as the pandemic lockdown rules are still affecting our Industry.” She continues “Despite the rest of the world allowing 100% attendance, South African Theatres are still working to COVID Lockdown restrictions. However, South African Artists being incredibly tenacious have still managed to produce work of extremely high quality throughout this period.”
Due to the reduced number of productions, especially during the year in review 2020, the Naledi Board decided to combine the years 2020 and 2021 in order to seek out the “Excellence” in theatre demanded by the late founder of the Naledi Theatre Awards, Dawn Lindberg. A new, once off, category was also established to accommodate those productions that were streamed online without ever being performed to a live audience. This category is called VOLT (Video Online Theatre).
“Working in a very challenging environment, South African Theatre Practitioners have certainly managed to produce a number of works that do truly stand up to the benchmark of “Excellence in Theatre” says Naledi CEO, Lihan Pretorius.
Chair of Judges, Renos Spenoudes, lamented
“it was exceedingly difficult for many of judges to see enough of the shows produced. Often, they would have to be in isolation or indeed Covid-ill and would miss productions, however in the end we managed to get a quorum of judges that had seen the prerequisite numbers of shows and who were able to judge.”
Lihan Pretorius reiterates,
“the Naledis usually only review one year at a time, from the 1st January to the 31st December, but due to the Pandemic we felt it prudent to combine the last two years in order to maintain the scope and integrity of the Awards.”
Deputy Chair, Sello Maake Ka Ncube, adds
“We continue to see the incredible growth of talent in South Africa, not only in the realms of the traditional commercial theatres, but especially in the emerging and experimental theatre practitioners. The work is unique, universally accessible and of an extremely high quality and often produced with very little financial output or reward, but rather on passion and a love of theatre.”
Productions have been reviewed in the following categories for the awards:
- Plays and Musicals
- Dance
- Independent-/Fringe Theatre
- Children’s Theatre (supported by ASSITEJ SA)
- Student-/Incubator Theatre
There will also be a number of special awards made.
The Nominations reveal took place at the Lesedi Theatre today, 12 April 2022 at 18h00. The Awards Ceremony will take place on the 16th May on the Nelson Mandela Stage at the Joburg Theatre, the official venue sponsors of the Naledis.
Herewith the full list of the Nominees for the years in Review 2020 and 2021:
BEST PRODUCTION: VIRTUAL ONLINE THEATRE
And Then… Prod. by Spiral Productions
CPO’s Community Spectacular Prod. by Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Louis Heyneman
Come fly with us Prod. by Waiting in the Wings SA, in association with Owen Lonzar and Megan Carelse
DEURnis Digitaal Prod. by Theatrerocket
Ferine & Ferase Prod. by Toyota US Woordfees
Hamlet Prod. by Daniel Galloway, in association with KKNK
Ikaros Prod. by Leftfoot Productions and Andrew Steyn
Jigsaw Prod. by Small Creatures and National Arts Festival
Prayer Room Prod. by Lorin Sookool and Co_Residency
Purimton Prod. by Shpielke Sisters Productions
Virtual Black Out: Experiments in the Prod. by POPArt Productions
Future of Form
BEST PRODUCTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG AUDIENCES (0-13) supported by ASSITEJ SA
Aesop’s Fables Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
Fantastic Mr. Fox Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
Jack and the Beanstalk Prod. by Pretoria Youth Theatre
The Jungle Book KIDS Prod. by the Peoples Theatre
Peter Rabbit and Me Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PRODUCTION FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES (MALE/FEMALE) supported by ASSITEJ SA
Dylan du Plessis : Jack and the Beanstalk
Gamelihle Bovana : Fantastic Mr. Fox
Justin Swartz : Aesop’s Fables
Katlego Kotsane : Jack and the Beanstalk
Sandisile Dlangalala : Fantastic Mr. Fox
Thokozani Jiyane : The Jungle Book KIDS
BEST PRODUCTION: STUDENT-/INCUBATOR THEATRE
Peeling Shadows Prod. by The Market Theatre Laboratory
Skullkandy Prod. by The Market Theatre Laboratory
Text me when you arrive Prod. by The Market Theatre Laboratory
BEST PRODUCTION: INDEPENDENT-/FRINGE THEATRE
Sello Sa Masetlapelo Prod. by TX Theatre
These are not my shoes Prod. by TX Theatre
Ward 13 Prod. by TX Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION: DANCE/BALLET
Don Quixote Prod. by Joburg Ballet
I am Prod. by kMad Dance Company
The Queen Show Prod. by Mzansi Ballet
BEST THEATRE SET- AND AV DESIGN
Andrew Timm : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Karabo Legoabe : Brothers
Karabo Legoabe : A Better Life
Patrick Curtis : Kamphoer
Paul Noko : Metsi
Thebe Tlhoaele and Lebo Telex : Mr President
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Bronwen Lovegrove : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Motshidisi Manyeneng : Tsogo
Nobayeni Xaba : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
Noluthando Lobese : Blood Knot
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Alexander Farmer : A Better Life
Kosie Smit : Brothers
Mannie Manim : Blood Knot
Oliver Hauser : Rhythms – the Gumboot Show
Patrick Curtis : Kamphoer
Wandile Mgcodo : Mr President
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Dean Pitman : Blood Knot
Franco Prinsloo : Mr President
Mandisa Vilakazi : A Better Life
Paul Noko : Metsi
Simon Kohler : Kamphoer
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE/ARRANGEMENT/SOUNDSCAPE
Drew Bakker : Loving You
Franco Prinsloo : Mr President
Nik Sakellarides : Evil
Simon Kohler : Kamphoer
Zakhele Mabena : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Lebohang Toko : Tsogo
Mduduzi Nhlapo : Askari
Meshack Mavuso-Magabane and the Cast : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
Nicol Sheraton : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Xolisile Bongwana : Metsi
BEST ENSEMBLE
Brendan van Rhyn, Christopher Dudgeon and Rudi Jansen : The Trolley Dollies – A Musical
Jaques Da Silva, Marco Fernandes, Martin Grendale, Alex Halligey and Sinenhlanhla : Mgeyi Diving
Katlego Chale and Tshepo Bugzito Seagiso : Return of the Ancestors
Percy Mtwa, Terrence Ngwila and Tshallo Chokwe : Bopha!
The ensemble Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
Zak Hendrikz, Arno Meyer and Lee Visagie : Asem
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Luntu Masiza : The Island
Monica Mhangwana : Mr President
N’kone Mametja : A Raisin in the Sun
Ruan Wessels : Brothers
Siya Mayola : The Island
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Bryan Schimmel : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show
Dale Ray Scheepers : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Drew Bakker : Loving You
Simphiwe Skhakhane and Zakhele Mabena : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Hannah van Tonder : Metsi
James Ngcobo : Blood Knot
Khutjo Green : The Princessess of Askies Shem Street
Lara Foot : Kamphoer
Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom and Joseph Komani : A Better Life
Tshepang Moticoe and Dr. Karina Lemmer : Mr President
Zimkitha Kumbaca : Return of the Ancestors
BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL OR MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Christopher Dudgeon : The Trolley Dollies – A Musical
Christopher Luscombe : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show
Janice Honeyman : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Meshack Mavuso-Magabane : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
BEST FEATURED/SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: MALE/FEMALE
Charlie Bouguenon : Pass Over
Gerben Kamper : A Raisin in the Sun
Lele Ledwaba : A Better Life
Saint Sesele : A Better Life
Schoeman Smit : Love Valour Compassion
Tshireletso Nkoane : The Princesses of Askies Shem Street
BEST FEATURED/SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION: MALE/FEMALE
Bongi Mthombeni : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Justin Swartz : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Kate Normington : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show
Kristian Lavercombe : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show
Nonhlanhla Dube : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
Stephania du Toit : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show
Zamah Ngubane : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SOLO PRODUCTION: MALE/FEMALE
Alan Committie : Apocalaughs Now
Camilla Waldman : Rose
Jaques De Silva : Evil
Sandra Prinsloo : Kamphoer
Warren Masemola : Nine Lives
BEST LEAD PEFORMANCE IN A PLAY: MALE/FEMALE
Abongile Maurice : Matyutyu Metsi
Andre Odendaal : Dop
Didintle Khunou : A Better Life
Francois Jacobs : Blood Knot
Thabo Malema : A Better Life
Xolile Tshabalala : A Raisin in the Sun
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION: MALE/FEMALE
Craig Urbani : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show
Didintle Khunou : Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show
Jonathan Roxmouth : Back in Lights
Kiruna-Lind Devar : Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
Zodwa Radebe : Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound
BEST NEW SOUTH AFRICAN SCRIPT
Christopher Dudgeon : The Trolley Dollies – A Musical
Hannah van Tonder : Metsi
Khutjo Green : The Princesses of Askies Shem Street
Mike van Graan : Return of the Ancestors
Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom : A Better Life
Sello Maseko and Mduduzi Nhlapo : Askari
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
Blood Knot Prod. by the Market Theatre
Brothers Prod. by the Market Theatre
Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
Metsi Prod. by the South African State Theatre
Mr President Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Stage Wizard
Return of the Ancestors Prod. by Onalerona Collaborations in association with The Market Theatre Laboratory
The Princesses of Askies Shem Street Prod. by Tin Town Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL OR MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
The Trolley Dollies – A Musical Prod. by The Trolley Dollies Productions
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