National Children’s Theatre wins the prestigious Naledi Award
PARKTOWN – The National Children's Theatre production Khokho's Treasure won the prestigious Naledi Award at the Naledi Theatre Awards Ceremony.
The National Children’s Theatre (NCT) received a Naledi Award for Khokho’s Treasure, for Best Production for Children at the Naledi Theatre Awards ceremony on 5 June.
“It was a very special honour for us to win the Naledi Award,” said Francois Theron, artistic director of NCT. In his speech, he mentioned how the play evolved. It started four years ago with the donation of a magnificent Baobab tree by the resident set designer, Stan Knight.
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“When our CEO Moira Katz saw the tree, she asked Francois to develop a South African musical around the tree – and it took four repeats until it reached its current grande finale. For this final showing, we are grateful to the creative team.” The team includes Dale Scheepers, Nicol Sheraton, Stan Knight, Jane Gosnell and Phillida le Roux.
“Congratulations to Francois for his hard work and commitment, for putting together an outstanding and talented cast including Suzaan Helberg, Keaton Broderick Ditchfield, Nomonde Matiwane, Sandi Dlangalala, Thokozani Nzima and Nichole Makoba. Thanks to the incredible NCT staff, who all helped in making this production a success,” said Katz.
The show opened for audiences at the State Theatre and toured nationally to primary schools in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Recently the show was invited to a festival at the Baxter Theatre.
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NCT has been bringing quality theatre productions to children and families in schools, regional theatres, community centres and rural areas for over 25 years. Every year NCT strives to bring live professional theatre to rural children as part of the Department of Education’s mission to advocate the value of theatre in education, to build theatre audiences of the future, and to open minds to possible careers in the theatre.
This production was made possible by the generous support of the Department of Arts and Culture and the National Lotteries Commission.
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