Arts writers
THE city’s theatre fraternity gathered last night for the much-anticipated announcements of the annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards.
Now in its 49th year, the Distell Foundation’s venture filled every space at the Baxter Theatre with aficionados swopping notes on the merits of the winners and losers.
Entertainment directed by Lara Bye featured Dorothy Masuka accompanied by guitarist Bheki Khoza, the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Ubuntu B-Boys, and an ensemble of dancers in a pantsula number choreographed by former artistic director of Jazzart, Jackie Manyaapelo.
Returning in the wake of last year’s fun awards night were MCs Alan Committie and Africa Melane.
Each award is valued at R15 000 and is given along with a silver medallion to outstanding individuals for theatre excellence, specifically focusing on professional theatre productions staged in the Cape Metropole.
Last year’s judges were Africa Melane, Coreen Lloyd, Dr Beverley Brommert, Dr Gabriël Botma, Gillian Mitchell, Herman van der Westhuizen, Jill Markram, Len Ashton, Mariana Malan, Marina Griebenow, Peter Tromp, Rone Arendse, Johan van Lill, Eugene Yiga and Tracey Saunders.
Awards are presented in 20 categories and this year the panel of judges made their decisions after having viewed almost 84 productions.
Most notable among the awards were prison gang drama Rooiland, which picked up five awards, for Brendon Daniels as best lead actor in a play, Charlton George for best supporting actor in a play, Jaco Bouwer for best director and best lighting design, and Tertius Kapp for best new South African script.
The Rocky Horror Show, presented by Eric Abraham and the Fugard Theatre, received three awards, for Brendan van Rhyn as best lead actor in a musical, Andrew Laubscher as best supporting actor in a musical, and Daneel van der Walt as best supporting actress in a musical.
The Miser, a comedy directed by Sylvaine Strike, won the award for best supporting actress in a play for Patricia Boyer, and best costume design for Sarah Roberts. The lifetime achievement award went to prolific playwright and director Nicholas Ellenbogen.
The full list of winners: best performance by a lead actor in a play – Brendon Daniels for Rooiland as Adidas. Best performance by a lead actress in a play – Jennifer Steyn for The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore as Flora “Sissy” Goforth. Best performance by a supporting actor in a play – Charlton George for Rooiland as Pastoor. Best performance by a supporting actress – Patricia Boyer for The Miser as Frosine and Master Jacques.
Best performance by a lead actor in a musical or music theatre show – Brendan van Rhyn for The Rocky Horror Show as Frank-N-Furter. Best performance by a lead actress in a musical or music theatre show – Angela Kilian for Sunset Boulevard as Norma Desmond. Best performance by a supporting actor in a musical or music theatre show – Andrew Laubscher for The Rocky Horror Show as Riff Raff.
Best performance by a supporting actress in a musical or music theatre show – Daneel van der Walt for The Rocky Horror Show as Magenta. Best performance in a revue, cabaret or one-person show – Phillip Dikotla for Skierlik as various characters.
Award for most promising student – Dean John Smith (Stellenbosch University). Best director – Jaco Bouwer for Rooiland. Best lighting design – Jaco Bouwer for Rooiland. Best set design – Craig Leo for Voices Made Night. Best costume design – Sarah Roberts for The Miser. Best sound design, original music composition or original score – James Webb for Die Laaste Karretjiegraf(Sound Scape).
Up for best puppetry design – Janni Younge for Sadako. Best new South African script – Tertius Kapp for Rooiland. The Rosalie van der Gucht prize for new directors went to Penelope Youngleson. RSG Radio Kunstefees received the award for innovation in theatre and Nicholas Ellenbogen a lifetime achievement award.
l The 50th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards will be at the Artscape Opera House next year.