In its 11th year, the awards, sponsored by Auto & General and BASA, reflect the vibrant and diverse nature of the South African theatrical landscape and are the premiere awards for theatre excellence in South Africa.The awards took place on 14 April at the Lyric Theatre with a glittering, themed ceremony.
For the first time since the inception of the prestigious awards, two performers, Jonathan Roxmouth and Brendan van Rhyn shared the honours in the Best Performance Musical for male category for their inspired roles in Call Me Lee and The Rocky Horror Show respectively. Paul Slabolepszy’s Pale Natives scooped three awards. The big winner on the night, however, was Marikana – The Musical, an emotive and heartfelt tribute to those who lost their lives during the mining strike at Lonmin. It took six awards at the which The ceremony was attended by the who’s who of the entertainment world.
Awards were also given in the Best Musical Director category to Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Stefan Lombard for their musical contribution to The Rocky Horror Show as the production also took awards in the Best Sound Design and Best Lighting Design categories for Akbar Khan and Daniel Galloway.
There were stunning performances on the night from ShooWop Shop, the Vuyani Dance Company which performed Full Moon and renowned performers Keith Smith, Timothy Moloi and Janelle Visagie.
Masters of ceremonies on the night were popular TV presenter, poet and actress Lebo Mashile and South Africa’s most famous puppet Chester Missing. Newly-crowned Miss South Africa 2015, Liesl Laurie also made an appearance.
Details: 082 600 6568; peter@ninesquared.co.za
