The 17th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards function held on the Mandela Stage at the Joburg Theatre, was a star studded and glittering affair. “This years’ awards are a combination of a celebration of the performing arts industry and remembering those who have passed away from COVID during the last two years” said Naledi CEO, Lihan Pretorius. He continued, “Dawn Lindberg, the founder of the Naledi Theatre Awards, passed away in December 2020 and these awards are the first occasion the Naledi’s and the Industry have had to honour her memory”. The evening featured a moving tribute to Dawn, where Earl Gregory sang “Corner of the Sky” from the musical Pippin. The “In Memoriam” section of the awards was “Gathering of the Stars” written and performed by André Hattingh.
Kate Normington opened the Awards with “I’m still here” accompanied by this year’s awards event’s MD, Rowan Bakker. King David Victory Park Student, Keren Katzew performed “Colours of the Wind” from Pocahontas and the National School of the Arts performed Sondheim’s “Sunday”. Nicolas Hattingh from Redhill School performed “I don’t care much” from Cabaret, accompanied by Michael Watt. Dancers Xola Willie and Lindé Wessels performed “A River for Him” choreographed by Kelsey Middleton from Kmad Dance Company. The dynamic Trolley Dollies rounded off the evening with their rendition of “This is my life”. Renos Spanoudes, the Chair of Judges for the Naledis said “We felt it was important to showcase the youth in our Industry for these awards, as they are the future of our Industry”.
“The 17th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards for the first time spans two years in review, given that the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns decimated the industry and severely curtailed the number of productions available to review” said board member, Chris Avant Smith, he continued “Dawn Lindberg also foresaw the need to review those productions performed online specifically made to be streamed and that were not performed before a live audience. To this end the category VOLT (Virtual On-line Theatre) was created just for this period.” Chairperson, Kgomotso Christopher chimed in “What amazed the judges was the tenacity of the industry, where theatre practitioners continued to create excellence in theatre, despite terrible odds, “excellence” being the guiding factor governing the awards”.
The special awards this year were particularly relevant and poignant: Des and Dawn Lindberg and David Kramer received “Lifetime Achievement Awards”. The CEO’s Award for “Innovation in Theatre” went to the TX Theatre based in Thembisa. “The Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award” went to Sibongile Mngoma and the inaugural “Dawn Lindberg World Impact Award” went to the late Sir Antony Sher KBE.
Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, produced by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions walked away with 6 awards. Best Production of a Play went to “A Better Life” produced by the Market Theatre and Best Production of a Musical or Musical Theatre Production went to “The Trolley Dollies- A Musical” produced by The Trolley Dollies Productions.
A full list of the winners can be found below.
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BEST PRODUCTION FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG AUDIENCES (Supported by ASSITEJ SA) (Aged 0-13)
- Fantastic Mr. Fox, Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PRODUCTION FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES (Supported by ASSITEJ SA)
- Sandisile Dlangalala, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION: VIRTUAL ON-LINE THEATRE
- Hamlet, Prod. by DGC in partnership with VR Theatrical and the KKNK, in association with the Tsikanya-Chaka Centre and the Centre for Creative Arts-UKZN
BEST PRODUCTION: INDEPENDENT-/FRINGE THEATRE
- Ward 13, Prod. by TX Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION: TERTIARY-/INCUBATOR THEATRE
- Peeling Shadows, Prod. by KwaSha Theatre Company in association with the Market Theatre Laboratory and the Windybrow Arts Centre
BEST PRODUCTION: DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE AND BALLET
- Don Quixote, Prod. by Joburg Ballet
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
- Tshireletso Nkoane, The Princesses of Askies Shem Street, Prod. by Tin Town Theatre
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
- Ruan Wessels, Brothers, Prod. by the Market Theatre
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- Meshack Mavuso-Magabane and the Cast, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE / ARRANGEMENT / ADAPTATION
- Simon Kohler, Kamphoer, Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
- Simphiwe Skhakhane and Zakhele Mabena, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SOLO PRODUCTION
- Sandra Prinsloo, Kamphoer, Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
BEST ENSEMBLE
- Brendan van Rhyn, Christopher Dudgeon and Rudi Jansen, The Trolley Dollies – A Musical, Prod. by The Trolley Dollies Productions
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
- Nobayeni Xaba, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
BEST THEATRE SET- AND AV DESIGN
- Andrew Timm, Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella, Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
- Kosie Smit, Brothers, Prod. by the Market Theatre
BEST SOUND DESIGN
- Paul Noko, Metsi, Prod. by the South African State Theatre
BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- Meshack Mavuso-Magabane, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
- Hannah van Tonder, Metsi, Prod. by the South African State Theatre
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- Nonhlanhla Dube, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- Zodwa Radebe, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound, Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY (JOINT)
- Andre Odendaal, Dop, Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Thabo Malema, A Better Life, Prod. by the Market Theatre
BEST NEW SOUTH AFRICAN SCRIPT
- Christopher Dudgeon, The Trolley Dollies – A Musical, Prod. by The Trolley Dollies Productions
BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
- A Better Life, Prod. by the Market Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL OR MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- The Trolley Dollies – A Musical, Prod. by The Trolley Dollies Productions
