The musical Annie came out tops at the annual Naledi Theatre Awards by garnering four awards, including Best Production of a Musical. Three other productions, Scorched, Suddenly the Storm, and the musical, TAU, won three awards each.
An Afrikaans production, Altyd in My Drome, walked off with two awards, including Best Director for its creator Neels Claasen. Two international musicals, Shrek The Musical and Singin' in the Rain, were also given two awards each. In addition to this, Afrikaans play, AS, won recognition for the Best Cutting Edge production, while Bryan Schimmel won the Best Musical Director award for his work on Annie.
For the first time, two nominees in the Best Lighting Design category shared an award. They were Hlomohang Mothetho (TAU) and Wesley France (Suddenly the Storm). Greg King was honoured for his work (with Shanti Naidoo) on Shrek the Musical in Best Costume Design and again for Best Set Design for Suddenly the Storm.
Judges celebrated artists and productions that proved a catalyst for discussions around change, cut across racial, cultural, social, educational, and economic barriers and enhanced cultural appreciation and awareness. "We made a strong statement in support of LGBTQ rights with a special arrangement of John Lennon’s Imagine, led by Timothy Moloi and 10 of our very best voices in harmony," says Naledi executive director, Dawn Lindberg.
The African musical, TAU, won in the categories Best Ensemble and Best Original Choreography for Nhlanhla Mahlangu, while Pay Back the Curry, an acerbic look at South African society, written by the Mike van Graan and performed by comedian Daniel Richards, earned the Best Newcomer Award for Richards.
I See You, a South African play about police corruption and brutality, which was produced by the Market Theatre in collaboration with the Royal Court Theatre in London, won favour with the judges with two awards, including Best Lead Performance in a Play (Male) going to Desmond Dube.
Porselein, an Afrikaans production, was acknowledged when Tiaan Slabbert was given an award for Best Supporting Actor. South African playwright, Paul Slabolepszy, received an award for Best New South African Script for Suddenly the Storm, while Ameera Patel (Best Supporting Actress) and Ilse Klink (Best Lead Performance in a Play – Female) won awards for their contribution to Scorched.
Erik Holm, who is confined to a wheelchair after breaking his neck in a diving accident, was presented The Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award, while the Executive Director’s Award was handed to POPART for their innovative work in Maboneng. Haccious Mokokapasi, who has been a stage manager for over 50 years at various theatres, accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award, and finally, the World Impact Award was given to Johnny Clegg
The event saw a host of celebrity presenters show up, including award-winning John Kani, director Jade Bowers, actors Neels Clasen, Zak Hendrikz, Vusi Kunene, as well as TV stars Jennifer Nkosi and Kgomotso Christopher, with Tumi Morake and Alan Committie as the hosts of the evening.
Lindberg adds, “The panel sees over 100 productions each year, with over 300 nominees on the list of excellence. Judging takes place over a weekend, with everyone on the panel allowed space to debate and discuss each and every one of the 27 categories. The final votes are by secret ballot and verified by Zeridium.”
Lilla Fleishmann, the star of Annie, performing Tomorrow, Earl Gregory from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat singing Close Every Door to Me, and award-winning Daniel Richards delivered a sketch from the comedy, Pay Back the Curry. The Kings of Harmony performed a tribute to the departed and the evening came to a close as the entire cast of Sarafina re-assembled and performed Freedom will come tomorrow.
"The process of seeing, analysing, and assessing all professional productions staged in Gauteng during each year is a full-time job which is not always acknowledged, " concludes Lindberg. "Lack of sufficient financial support from government and commercial sponsors is a constant battle, but Naledi is proud to be internationally recognised as the benchmark of excellence in South African live theatre.”
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