The winners of the 59th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, sponsored by Heineken Beverages, were announced at a glittering ceremony at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch, Cape Town on Sunday (17 March).
The star of the evening was Die fel omstrede kroon van Edward II en Gaveston, a drama by prominent Belgian playwright and novelist, Tom Lanoye. Nominated in nine categories, it earned awards in three: best director for Marthinus Basson, best lighting design for Nicolaas de Jongh and best costume design for Basson.
Veteran actress Sandra Prinsloo, honoured in 2022 with the Fleur du Cap Lifetime Achievement Award, won the award for best performance by a lead actress for her role as Anna in Die moeder. A US Woordfees production, it also took home the coveted best production award.
The award for best performance by a lead actor went to Brent Palmer for his portrayal of George Megalos in his play King George.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s legendary musical The Sound of Music, brought to South African stages by Pieter Toerien Productions and Cape Town Opera, triumphed with Brittany Smith’s interpretation of Maria winning her the best performance by a lead actress in a musical or music theatre show award, and William Berger as Max earning him the award for best performance by a supporting actor in the same category.
Puccini’s powerful opera Tosca made a clean sweep with Lukhanyo Moyake and Nobulumko Mngxekeza garnering awards for the best performances in the male and female categories in an opera, respectively.
The Promise – On Stage by Damon Galgut also clinched two awards: best set design by Joshua Lindberg and best sound design, original music, soundscape or live performance by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.
Stellenbosch University’s Angelique Viaan Filter won the most promising student award.
As has become custom over the years, the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards’ judging panel had announced the winners of the three special awards ahead of the gala ceremony. They were Professor Angelo Gobbato, recipient of this year’s lifetime achievement award for his enormous impact on South African opera extended over many decades; Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, who received the encore award for his contribution to theatre exemplified in his product of Exit/Exist; and the Rainbow Arts Organisation of Delft that landed the innovation in theatre award for its impact on youth development.
Commenting as panel chairperson, Africa Melane, said that 2023 was a year of theatrical excellence, with the awards reflecting a dynamic, healthy mix of emergent and established local talent.
“As a panel, we were thrilled with the exceptional quality of productions mounted in Cape Town and Stellenbosch during 2023,” he said. “Audiences were reminded that theatre has immense power to profoundly shape and transform individuals. Theatre invites audience members to step into the shoes of someone else, lose themselves briefly and become empathetic. There is hope that this forges deeper connections with others.
“Thank you to the collective genius of the theatre makers for the amazing productions mounted on the boards in 2023. Once again we were challenged, we were entertained, and we had a mirror held up to compel us to reflect on our society. We salute and celebrate you this evening.”
