JOBURG – South Africa’s theatre industry stepped out in style for the 11th annual Naledi Theatre Awards.
The event, which recognised productions staged in 2013, took place at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre.
Mies Julie emerged as the winner of three major awards: for best male actor in a leading role, which went to Bongile Mantsai; best director for Yael Farber; and best production of a play.
Showtime Management’s production Jersey Boys won best production of a musical, best performance in a musical for Grant Almiral, and best musical director, which went to Bryan Schimmel and Rowan Bakker.
Vinette Ebrahim won best performance in a leading female role for My Name/Naam is Ellen Pakkies.
The play also gained Lizz Meiring the executive director’s award, specifically for the work she has done in raising awareness about the abuse of women.
Meiring announced that she had obtained funding to make a film of the play, which she wrote and directed, as a direct result of her Naledi nominations.
Awards chairperson Dali Tambo presented lifetime achievement awards to Mbongeni Ngema for his body of international work, and to Fatima Dike for the work she has done to mentor young black writers in the Cape.
Awards executive director, Dawn Lindberg, announced three new developments at the event.
“We have partnered with the Market Theatre to create a new award, best emerging voice, named after the late, great Sophie Mgcina, [which] recognises a young individual who is making their mark as a director, designer or maker of theatre,” she said.
The first emerging voice award whet to dancer and choreographer Lulu Mlangeni.
According to Lindberg, the awards also formed a partnership with Assitej SA [The International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People], who will administer the best production for children category, now renamed best production for young audiences.
The third development announced by Lindberg is with the Gauteng Department of Arts and Culture, who will expand on community theatre through the department’s Ishashalazi Awards.
Renos Spanoudes, Welcome Msomi, Peter Feldman, Carolyn Steyn, Dorianne Alexander, Lakin Morgan, Ferosa Marais, Dr Lance Maron, Mandla Motau, Lali Dangazele, Rudi Sadler and Helen Heldenmuth formed the judging panel.
Some of the Naledi Award winners:
Best newcomer/breakthrough Brett Goldin award: Khayalethu Anthony for Solomon and Marion
Best supporting actress in a play/musical: Nondumiso Tembe for Race
Best supporting actor in a play/musical: Desmond Dube for Nongogo
Best director: Yael Farber for Mies Julie
Best performance in a musical (female): Bianca la Grange for Blood Brothers
Best performance in a musical (male): Grant Almirall for Jersey Boys
Best performance in a play in a leading role (female): Vinette Ebrahim for My Name/Naam is Ellen Pakkies
Best performance in a play in a leading role (male): Bongile Mantsai for Mies Julie
Best new South African script: Hayani, written and directed by Atandwa Kani and Nat Ramabulana
