THE annual gala for The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards always succeeds in drawing a broad spectrum of arts folk inspired by the excitement of theatre in all its many forms. And the buzz was palpable once again last night at the prestigious event at The Artscape Opera House.
The onstage ceremony was directed by Christopher Weare, and fabulous Alan Committie was once again in fine form as MC; as was a glamorous audience made up of the Who’s Who of the local theatre scene, plus dignitaries, and members of the public.
Weare’s concept followed a ’vintage celebration’ theme, incorporating the awards' unique role in the growth of South African theatre and celebrating the synergy and partnerships over the past 50 years between theatre spaces, actors, creatives, technicians and Distell – the sponsors of the awards ceremony.
Onstage entertainment included iconic performers such as veteran actor Andrew Buckland, Slam Poet Koleka Putuma, The Figure of Eight Dance Collective and Not The Midnight Mass.
Established in 1965 as the Three Leaf Award, the prize became known as the Fleur du Cap Theatre Award in 1978. David Bloomberg, one of the first Three Leaf Award judges and a former Mayor of Cape Town, was also present at last night’s production.
Category winners each received R15,000 and a silver medallion. For a production to qualify, a minimum run of eight performances over three weeks at the same venue in the Cape Town metropole and surrounds, was required. Here theatre practitioners are recognised for excellence in acting, directing, staging and technical ability, and the panel of judges also considered an individual, company or organisation in the theatre industry that has consistently created exceptional and innovative work.
The judges for last year’s productions were Africa Melane, Dr Beverley Brommert, Christine Moritz, Eugene Yiga, Gillian Mitchell, Herman van der Westhuizen, Jill Markram, Johan van Lill, Len Ashton, Mariana Malan, Marina Griebenow, Peter Tromp, Steyn du Toit and Tracey Saunders, with Stephanie Klink joining this year. The panel, made up largely of local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators, is chaired by Melanie Burke, a non-voting chairperson. Voting was by secret ballot and all processes were audited by legal firm Cluver Markotter Inc.
Awards were presented in 18 different categories and a total of 74 productions were eligible in 2014. In addition, 57 student performances were considered for The Most Promising Student Award.
Talented multiple award winner Marthinus Basson was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his huge contribution to theatre over a long and still, very successful career. The Handspring Puppet Company and the Handspring Trust for Puppetry Arts received the Award for Innovation in Theatre for their phenomenal contribution to the innovative growth and development of the craft of puppetry in theatre, not only in South Africa but worldwide.
• Next year’s 51st Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards will be held at the Baxter Theatre in March.
Cape Times