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 FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG AUDIENCES (Supported by ASSITEJ SA) (Aged 0-13)
- 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 (Supported by ASSITEJ SA)
- Dylan du Plessis Jack and the Beanstalk Prod. by Pretoria Youth Theatre
- Gamelihle Bovana Fantastic Mr. Fox Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
- Justin Swartz Aesop’s Fables Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
- Katlego Kotsane Jack and the Beanstalk Prod. by Pretoria Youth Theatre
- Sandisile Dlangalala Fantastic Mr. Fox Prod. by the National Children’s Theatre
- Thokozani Jiyane The Jungle Book KIDS Prod. by the Peoples Theatre
BEST PRODUCTION: VIRTUAL ON-LINE 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 DGC in partnership with VR Theatrical and the KKNK, in association with the Tsikanya-Chaka Centre and the Centre for Creative Arts-UKZN
- Igama? Prod. by Slindile Mthembu (Mabu Art), in association with the National Arts Festival
- “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 Future of Form Prod. by POPArt Productions in collaboration with Fak’ugezi digital arts festival, supported by the National Arts Festival
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: TERTIARY-/INCUBATOR THEATRE
- Peeling Shadows Prod. by KwaSha Theatre Company in association with the Market Theatre Laboratory and the Windybrow Arts Centre
- Skullkandy Prod. by the Market Theatre Laboratory
- Text me when you arrive Prod. by TMWYA in association with the Market Theatre Laboratory
BEST PRODUCTION: DANCE, PHYSICAL THEATRE AND BALLET
- Don Quixote Prod. by Joburg Ballet
- I am Prod. by kMad Dance Company
- The Queen Show Prod. by Mzansi Ballet
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
- Charlie Bouguenon Pass Over Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Gerben Kamper A Raisin in the Sun Prod. by the Soweto Theatre, in partnership with the United States Mission to South Africa
- Lele Ledwaba A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Saint Sesele A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Schoeman Smit Love Valour Compassion Prod. by Lefra Productions
- Tshireletso Nkoane The Princesses of Askies Shem Street Prod. by Tin Town Theatre
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
- Luntu Masiza The Island Prod. by the Joburg Theatre in partnership with DALRO
- Monica Mhangwana Mr President Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Stage Wizard
- N’kone Mametja A Raisin in the Sun Prod. by the Soweto Theatre, in partnership with the United States Mission to South Africa
- Ruan Wessels Brothers Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Siya Mayola The Island Prod. by the Joburg Theatre in partnership with DALRO
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- Lebohang Toko Tsogo Prod. by the South African State Theatre
- Mduduzi Nhlapo Askari Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Mantimakhulu (Pty) Ltd
- Meshack Mavuso-Magabane and the Cast Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
- Nicol Sheraton Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- Xolisile Bongwana Metsi Prod. by the South African State Theatre
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE / ARRANGEMENT / ADAPTATION
- Drew Bakker Loving You Prod. by Daphne Kuhn
- Franco Prinsloo Mr President Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Stage Wizard
- Nik Sakellarides Evil Prod. by Daphne Kuhn
- Simon Kohler Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
- Zakhele Mabena Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
- Bryan Schimmel Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
- Dale Ray Scheepers Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- Drew Bakker Loving You Prod. by Daphne Kuhn
- 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
- Alan Committie Apocalaughs Now Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions
- Camilla Waldman Rose Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Jaques De Silva Evil Prod. by Daphne Kuhn
- Sandra Prinsloo Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
- Warren Masemola Nine Lives Prod. by the Market Theatre
BEST ENSEMBLE
- Brendan van Rhyn, Christopher Dudgeon and Rudi Jansen The Trolley Dollies – A Musical Prod. by The Trolley Dollies Productions
- Jaques Da Silva, Marco Fernandes, Martin Grendale, Alex Halligey and Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi Diving Prod. by PopArt
- Katlego Chale and Tshepo Bugzito Seagiso Return of the Ancestors Prod. by Onalerona Collaborations in association with the Market Theatre Laboratory
- Percy Mtwa, Terrence Ngwila and Tshallo Chokwe Bopha! Prod. by the South African State Theatre
- The ensemble Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
- Zak Hendrikz, Arno Meyer and Lee Visagie Asem Prod. by Pit Productions
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
- Bronwen Lovegrove Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- Motshidisi Manyeneng Tsogo Prod. by the South African State Theatre
- Nobayeni Xaba Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
- Noluthando Lobese Blood Knot Prod. by the Market Theatre
BEST THEATRE SET- AND AV DESIGN
- Andrew Timm Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- Karabo Legoabe Brothers Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Karabo Legoabe A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Patrick Curtis Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
- Paul Noko Metsi Prod. by the South African State Theatre
- Thebe Tlhoaele and Lebo Telex Mr President Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Stage Wizard
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
- Alexander Farmer A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Kosie Smit Brothers Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Luyanda Somkence Blood Knot Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Oliver Hauser Rhythms – the Gumboot Show Prod. by CityProd and Philippe Barreau
- Patrick Curtis Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
- Wandile Mgcodo Mr President Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Stage Wizard
BEST SOUND DESIGN
- Dean Pitman Blood Knot Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Franco Prinsloo Mr President Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Stage Wizard
- Mandisa Vilakazi A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Paul Noko Metsi Prod. by the South African State Theatre
- Simon Kohler Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- Christopher Dudgeon The Trolley Dollies – A Musical Prod. by The Trolley Dollies Productions
- Christopher Luscombe Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
- Janice Honeyman Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- 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
- James Ngcobo Blood Knot Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Khutjo Green The Princessess of Askies Shem Street Prod. by Tin Town Theatre
- Lara Foot Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket
- Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom and Joseph Komani A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Tshepang Moticoe and Dr. Karina Lemmer Mr President Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Stage Wizard
- Zimkitha Kumbaca Return of the Ancestors Prod. by Onalerona Collaborations in association with The Market Theatre Laboratory
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION
- Bongi Mthombeni Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- Justin Swartz Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- Kate Normington Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
- Kristian Lavercombe Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
- Nonhlanhla Dube Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound Prod. by the South African State Theatre in association with Thamaga Productions
- Stephania du Toit Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
- Zamah Ngubane 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
- Craig Urbani Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
- Didintle Khunou Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions and Howard Panter
- Jonathan Roxmouth Back in Lights Prod. by Pieter Toerien Productions
- Kiruna-Lind Devar Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella Prod. by Bernard Jay and the Joburg Theatre
- 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
- Abongile Maurice Matyutyu Metsi Prod. by the South African State Theatre
- Andre Odendaal Dop Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Didintle Khunou A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Francois Jacobs Blood Knot Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Thabo Malema A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Xolile Tshabalala A Raisin in the Sun Prod. by the Soweto Theatre
BEST NEW SOUTH AFRICAN SCRIPT
- Christopher Dudgeon The Trolley Dollies – A Musical Prod. by The Trolley Dollies Productions
- Hannah van Tonder Metsi Prod. by the South African State Theatre
- Khutjo Green The Princesses of Askies Shem Street Prod. by Tin Town Theatre
- Mike van Graan Return of the Ancestors Prod. by Onalerona Collaborations in association with the Market Theatre Laboratory
- Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre
- Sello Maseko and Mduduzi Nhlapo Askari Prod. by the South African State Theatre, in association with Mantimakhulu (Pty) Ltd
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
Ends://
For media enquiries, please contact Chris Avant Smith (straight2media@gmail.com or Whatsapp him on 0610609257).
