Established in 1965, the annual awards known as South Africa’s leading performing arts competition focuses on professional theatre productions staged in Cape Town and environs.
A total of 59 productions are in the running for top honours this year.
The panel assessing the productions comprised long-serving members as well as newcomers – all respected experts in their fields unified by a unique perspective of the performing arts. Along with Africa Melane as chairperson, they include Dr Beverley Brommert, Maurice Carpede, Marina Griebenow, Thabo Makgolo, Mariana Malan, Roxy Marosa, Dr Wayne Muller, Tracey Saunders, Lwando Scott and Hadley Tituss.
Come the night of the final announcement, the awards will be presented in 24 categories. This will also be when the accolades to acknowledge stand-out innovation in theatre and lifetime achievement will be revealed.
Best New South African Script
The Cenotaph of Dan wa Moriri | Gerard Bester, William Harding and Tony B Miyambo
The Hucksters | Louis Viljoen
The Room | Brent Palmer
G7: Okwe Bokhwe (Like/Of a goat) | Mandla Mbothwe and original company of 2017-18 Magnet Theatre trainees
Scott | Morapeleng Molekoa
Best New Director
Emily Child
FaniswaYisa
Iman Isaacs and Raezeen Wentworth
Morapeleng Molekoa
Tyron Zoutman
Best Theatre Production for Children and Young People
Florence and Watson: The Great Pangolin Mystery
Jakkalsen Wolf Onbeperk
Lumka
Titum-titum
Vlooien die Storieboek
Best Performance by An Ensemble
Abigail Mei, Carlo Daniels, Luxolo Mboso, Siyavuya Gqumehlo, Sivenathi Macibela, Sizwe Lubengu, Sityhilelo Makupula and Yvonne Msebenzi | G7: OkweBokhwe (Like/Of a goat) | Various roles
Carlo Daniels, Motlatji Mjamba, Sive Gubanxa, Siyavuya Gqumehlo, Jason Jacobs, Balindileka Ngcobo, Sizwe Lubengu, Sivenathi Macibela, Sityhilelo Makupula, Luxolo Mboso, Abigail Mei, Yvonne Msebenzi and Kanya Viljoen | Antigone (not quite/quiet) | Various roles
James Cairns, Taryn Bennett and Jaques de Silva | The Old Man and the Sea | Various roles
Jennie Reznek and Faniswa Yisa | Every Year, Every Day, I'm Walking | Various roles
Lizz Meiring, Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck and Nicole Holm | 3 Susters | Christine, Anel and Bianca
Best Performance in A Revue, Cabaret Or One-Person Show
Carlo Daniels | Klippies van die grond | Various roles
Sandra Prinsloo | Kamphoer | Susan Nell
Tafara Nyatsanza | Scott | Various roles
Taryn Bennett | Silkworm | Georgina
Tony B. Miyambo | The Cenotaph of Dan wa Moriri | Various roles
Best Performance by A Supporting Actor in A Musical or Music Theatre Show
Craig Urbani | Chicago the Musical | Billy Flynn
Eldon van der Merwe | Danger in the Dark | Chicco
Tashreeq de Villiers | Aunty Merle: It's a Girl! | Glen Davids/Pastor Jansen
Tashreeq de Villiers | Danger in the Dark | Lucky
Tshepo Ncokoane | Kinky Boots | Angel
Best Performance by A Supporting Actress in A Musical or Music Theatre Show
Carmen Maarman | Aunty Merle: It's a Girl! | Soraya Samsodien
Ilse Klink | Chicago the Musical | Mama Morton
Jennifer Steyn | Aunty Merle: It's a Girl! | Claire White
Kate Normington | The Rocky Horror Show | Narrator
Namisa Mdlalose | Kinky Boots | Lauren
Best Performance by A Lead Actor in A Musical or Music Theatre Show
Craig Urbani | The Rocky Horror Show | Frank N Furter
Earl Gregory | Into the Woods | The Baker
Earl Gregory | Kinky Boots | Lola
Elton Landrew | Danger in the Dark | Poison
Marc Lottering | Aunty Merle: It's a Girl! | Aunty Merle
Best Performance by A Lead Actress in A Musical or Music Theatre Show
Bianca Flanders | Krotoa: Eva van de Kaap | Krotoa/Sam
Didintle Khunou | The Rocky Horror Show | Janet Weiss
Kate Normington | Into the Woods | The Witch
Rushney Ferguson | Danger in the Dark | Juanita
Zolani Mahola | The One Who Sings | Herself
Best Puppetry Design
Alida van Deventer | The Old Man and the Sea | Old man puppet
Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer | Macbeth | Fleance
Jenine Collocott | The Old Man and the Sea | Masks
Best Lighting Design
Fred Abrahamse | Equus
Faheem Bardien | The Glass Menagerie
Ken Billington | Chicago the Musical
Tim Mitchell | Kinky Boots
Wolf Britz | Statements After an Arrest under the Immorality Act
Best Set Design
Greg King | Into the Woods
Marcel Meyer | Equus
Patrick Curtis | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia
Paul Wills | Kinky Boots
Wolf Britz | Statements After an Arrest under the Immorality Act
Best Costume Design
Birrie le Roux | Kinky Boots
Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer | Macbeth
Graça Brandão Oliveira | Aunty Merle: It's a Girl!
Illka Louw and Alicia Wallace | Richard III
Marcel Meyer | Equus
Best Sound Design, Original Music, Soundscape or Live Performance
Babalwa Makwetu | G7: Okwe Bokhwe (Like/Of a goat)
Charl-Johan Lingenfelder | Statements After an Arrest under the Immorality Act
Godfrey Johnson | Vaslav
Neo Muyanga | Antigone (not quite/quiet)
Neo Muyanga | Every Year, Every Day, I'm Walking
Best Performance in An Opera - Male
Bongani Kubheka | La Serva Padrona | Uberto
Makudupanyane Senaoana | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Tebaldo
Thando Zwane | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Capellio
Best Performance in An Opera - Female
Ané Pretorius | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Romeo
Brittany Smith | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Giulietta
Fleur Barron | Orphée et Eurydice | Orphée
Nombulelo Yende | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Giulietta
Siphokazi Molteno | I Capuleti e I Montecchi | Romeo
Best Performance by A Supporting Actor in A Play
David Viviers | Cellist with Rabies | Rabies Virus
Edwin van der Walt | Koningin Lear | Corné/Junkie
Marcel Meyer | The Glass Menagerie | Jim
Marty Kintu | Florence | Porter
Sanda Shandu | Richard III | Earl of Richmond/Dorset
Best Performance by A Supporting Actress in A Play
Anna-Mart van der Merwe | Koningin Lear | Sumien
Cassandra-Tendai Mpanda | Richard III | Queen Elizabeth
Indalo Benett | Florence | Marge
Jenny Stead | The Glass Menagerie | Laura Wingfield
Maggie Gericke | Equus | Dora Strang
Best Performance by A Lead Actress in A Play
Antoinette Kellerman | Koningin Lear | Elisabeth Lear
Dorothy-Ann Gould | Family Secrets | Grazia
Fiona Ramsay | The Glass Menagerie | Amanda Wingfield
Indalo Benett | Wine in the Wilderness | Tommy
Jennifer Steyn | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia | Stevie
Best Performance by A Lead Actor In A Play
Alan Committie | Richard III | Richard III
Brent Palmer | The Room | Mike
David Viviers | Macbeth | Lady Macbeth
Graham Hopkins | Equus | Martin Dysart
Nicholas Pauling | The Hucksters | Fred
Best Director
Fred Abrahamse | The Glass Menagerie
Mandla Mbothwe | G7: OkweBokhwe (Like/Of a goat)
Maropeleng Molekoa | Scott
Matthew Wild | Kinky Boots
Mdu Kweyama | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia
Best Production
Baxter Theatre Centre | The Goat, or Who is Sylvia
Eric Abraham and The Fugard Theatre | Kinky Boots
Magnet Theatre | G7: Okwe Bokhwe (Like/Of a goat)
Morapeleng Molekoa | Scott
Pieter Toerien | Equus
Award for Most Promising Student
Basetsana Molepo | Afda
Cantona James | University of Stellenbosch
Chad Baai | Waterfront Theatre School
Devonecia Swartz | University of Stellenbosch
Ntlanhla Kutu | Afda
