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All the 2023 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards nominees

6 Mar 2024

“Last year was a year of exceptional theatre,” said Africa Melane, panel chair of the annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, before announcing the nominees recently. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on Sunday, 17 March 2024 at the Baxter Theatre Centre, Cape Town.

Photo by Kyle Head on Unsplash

Now in their 59th year, the highly coveted awards are sponsored by Heineken Beverages, which acquired former sponsor, Distell, in 2023.

Naming the nominees for the upcoming awards, Melane said: “In 2023, we saw theatre questioning societal norms, challenging perspectives, and testing the rules. All this, while entertaining audiences and offering them some escape, even if only briefly, as they immerse themselves in a different world. It truly was a year of theatrical excellence.”

The awards celebrate outstanding contributions to local theatre across 23 categories. They range from performing to directing, scriptwriting, composing and puppetry, as well as exceptional stage, sound, lighting and costume design.

A total of 66 plays, musicals and music theatre productions were assessed by the judges. There were also 10 productions for children and young adults, as well as six operas, all mounted between January and December 2023. In addition, 140 students from eight institutions in 54 productions were considered for the Best Student category.

The panel of judges for 2023 include Africa Melane (Chair), Dr Beverley Brommert, Hadley Tituss, Dr Lwando Scott, Mariana Malan, Marina Griebenow, Naudé van der Merwe, Nkgopoleng Moloi, Roxy Marosa, Tracey Saunders and Dr Wayne Muller. Sive Gubangxa served on the subpanel for the Best Student prize.

Millicent Maroga, corporate affairs director of Heineken Beverages said: “For almost 60 years, the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards have been identifying and rewarding top local talent. In a country such as ours, where citizens often live worlds apart from one another, theatre can teach us more about ourselves and to empathise with people unlike us. Theatre makes more people more visible to one another in creative, moving and provocative ways. It is an essential part of our society and we are thrilled to support its advance.”

Tracey Saunders, convenor of the Student Panel said: “The calibre of work presented by students continues to astound us. Several students have leapt at the opportunities afforded to them to showcase their work to the public before graduating and the number of students cast in professional productions in their final year of study is a testament to their hard work and the commitment of the teaching staff.”

In addition to the category winners, the recipients of the Encore Award, the Innovation in Theatre Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced at the ceremony.

Nominees for the 59th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, in alphabetical order, are...

Best Student Prize

Best New South African Script

Best New Director

Best Theatre Production for Children and Young People

Pumpkin Finds Her Kindness - The Play | Bianca Flanders-Balie
Surge | Magnet Theatre Youth Company
The King of Broken Things | Theatresmiths

Best Performance by an Ensemble

My hart is ’n muurbal (en ander gedagtes) | Wynand Kotzé and Wian Taljaard
Oedipus at Colonus #aftersophocles | Buhle T Stefane, Azola Mkhabile, Mihlali Bele, Lindokuhle Melaphi, Thabo Mkenene, Kuhle Myathaza, Nosiphiwo Ndabeni, Siphenathi Siqwayi, Wendy Mrali, Moluphi Lepeli and Sipho Kalako
Of Loss - Handle with Care | Awethu Hleli, Nolufefe Ntshuntshe, Mphumzi Nontshinga, Lyle October and Tamzin Williams
Patisserie Femme | Liphelo Matthews and Nomfundo Selepe

Best Performance in a Revue, Cabaret or Solo Show

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical or Music Theatre Show

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Musical or Music Theatre Show

Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical or Music Theatre Show

Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical or Music Theatre Show

Best Puppetry Design

Janni Younge | Hamlet (Janni Younge)
Luyanda Nogodlwana | Maxeke: This Work is Not for Yourselves

Best Lighting Design

Best Set Design

Best Costume Design

Marthinus Basson | Die fel omstrede kroon van Edward II en Gaveston
Marcel Meyer | Hamlet (Abrahamse and Meyer Productions)
Michaeline Wessels | A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Sarah Mercadé | We Will Rock You
Roderick Jaipal, Edit Atelier | Oedipus at Colonus #aftersophocles