South Africa's biggest night in theatre, The Naledi Theatre Awards, is back, and the nominees for this year's milestone 20th edition have been announced.
The awards are one of the highlights on the entertainment calendar and aim to celebrate performers, designers, the production teams and the staging crew in the theatre space.
The nominees span various categories, from productions for children to fringe theatre, as well as dance and student theatre.
Leading the pack is "Ka Lebitso La Moya" with an outstanding 12 nominations, including Best Production, Best Supporting Female and Male Performance, Best Original Score and Best Costume Design, among several other categories.
"Ka Lebitso La Moya" is set in the fictional township of Ha Satane and tells the story of a community struggling with poverty, unemployment and crime.
Unhappy with the lack of service, the people find themselves acting on their frustration, thanks to the arrival of a charming new priest who offers them hope of a better life.
Following closely behind with seven nominations each are Agatha Christie’s "Witness For The Prosecution" and "Expelled".
"Call Us Crazy" and "Coal Yard" tie with four nods, while "The Cry of Winnie Mandela" bagged three nominations.
CEO of the Awards, Lihan Pretorius, expressed pride in reaching this 20-year milestone: "These nominations are particularly poignant for the Awards, as they are testament to the durability of the dreams of our founder, the late Dawn Lindberg.”
He continued, “They are also a validation of the fact that for twenty years, totally unfunded by any governmental organisations, we have managed to survive to celebrate excellence in theatre soley on the in-kind donations from entities and organisations like the Joburg Theatre, The South African State Theatre ...
"And many other unsung donors who have kept this dream alive.”
Renos Spenoudes, chairperson of the judging panels, shared: “Our judges give up their time to see up to three or more productions a week, purely for the love of theatre and in an attempt to recognise excellence.
"We are always grateful to the producers, theatres and publicists who invite our judging panels to see their productions to ensure that their productions are considered for these prestigious awards.”
Similarly, judge and board member Chris Avant Smith acknowledged the financial obstacles faced in producing the awards but reaffirmed the commitment to recognising productions, performers, and creatives that embody their motto of “Celebrating Excellence in Theatre.”
This year’s ceremony will once again be held on the Mandela Stage at the Joburg Theatre, with the date and details of special award recipients to be announced soon.
Abridged list of nominees:
Best New South African Script/Adaptation
Christo Davids - "Laaitie Mettie Biscuits"
Johan Slabbert - "4 Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay"
Masai Sepuru - "The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye and Exodus"
Michael Taylor-Broderick - "The King of Broken Things"
Momo Matsunyane - "Ka Lebitso La Moya"
Obett Motaung - "A Street Taxi Named Desiree"
Rosalind Butler - "Expelled"
Best Production of a Play
"Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution"
"Call Us Crazy"
"Coal Yard"
"Expelled"
"Ka Lebitso La Moya"
"The Cry of Winnie Mandela"
Best Production for Children & Young Audiences
"Aladdin Jr."
"Disney’s The Lion King Jr."
"Momo’s Magical Adventure 2024"
"My Son Pinocchio Jr."
"Shrek The Musical Jr."
"Space Rocks"
Best Production: Fringe Theatre
"4 Cups"
"Fatherhood"
"Prayers"
"Swartwater"
"Taxi Wars"
"The Perfect Image of Sandra Khambule"
"Yangthola"
Best Production: Dance, Physical Theatre and Ballet
"The Sleeping Beauty"
"Amawethu"
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
"Ditoro"
"Father & I"
"No Air"
Best Supporting Performance in a Play: Female
Carla Classen - "Laaitie Mettie Biscuits"
Dianne Simpson - "Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution"
Khutjo Green - "Ka Lebitso La Moya"
Siyasanga Papu - "Ka Lebitso La Moya"
Stephanie Baartman - "Laaitie Mettie Biscuits"
Ziaphora Dakile - "The Brothers, Number One and a Weekend Special"
Best Lead Performance in a Play: Male
Alan Committie - "Amadeus"
Billy Langa - "Poet-O-Type"
Brent Palmer - "King George"
Graham Hopkins - "Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution"
Josias Dos Moleele - "Ka Lebitso La Moya"
Siyambonga Mdubeki - "The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye"
Best Performance in a Solo Production
Andrew Buckland - "The Ugly Noo Noo"
Ashley Dowds - Paul Slabolepszy’s "The Return of Elvis Du Pisanie"
Cara Roberts - "The King of Broken Things"
Elzabé Zietsman - "Routrip"
Julie-Anne McDowell - "My Name is Lucy Barton"
Shannon Esra - "My Left Breast"