Marc Lottering – Not In 3D will feature Lottering’s latest stand-up material as well as appearances by his much loved alter-ego’s Auntie Merle from Belgravia Road in Athlone and Smiley the taxi dude. In this show he shares his unique perspectives on a broad range of interesting topics and issues, guaranteed to make for an hilarious night out!

Lottering, one of South Africa’s top comedians, has been in the funny business for 12 years and continues to keep audiences in stitches across the country and overseas. When not performing locally, he regularly entertains home-sick South Africans in London and Australia and he has also delivered critically acclaimed performances in Toronto, New Zealand and Dubai. He has extensive experience in television and theatre, and has been the recipient of several prestigious awards along the way. His self-scripted one-man shows continue to play to packed houses and his DVDs continue to be hugely popular with locals and ex pats alike.

In 2010, Marc was selected to be part of the hugely successful Bafunny Bafunny comedy tour, which saw the country’s top comedians perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Marc has also just completed a  successful run of Janice Honeyman’s pantomime Robinson Crusoe in which he starred as the Dame to critical acclaim.

Marc Lottering – Not In 3D runs at the Baxter Theatre nightly at 8pm from 1 to 26 February with tickets costing R70 and R80 via Computicket and with corporate and charity bookings via 021 680 3962/93.

The show runs at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg from 1 – 26 March with tickets via Computicket.

Please note the show has a PG 16 rating.

Three talented African stand up comedians will entertain audiences nightly at the Baxter Studio Theatre throughout the World Cup, from 8 June till 3 July, with special appearances from SA’s own Lungi Pinda, best known for his role in Mike van Graan’s hilarious play, Bafana Republic.

To mark 50 years of independence in 17 African countries and the first time that the FIFA World Cup is hosted in Africa, the African Arts Institute (AFAI) will host From Africa with Laugh at the Baxter Theatre, with comedians and satirists giving their views on life, love and football on the African continent.  “The overwhelming images of Africa in western media tend to be about conflict, poverty and disease.  Even if this is true, we want to show life on the continent from another perspective, through humour and satire, rather than only as tragedy” said Mike van Graan, Executive Director of AFAI and Secretary General of Arterial Network, a continent-wide civil society network active in the creative sector and its contribution to human rights, democracy and development.

The show opens on Thursday 10 June, the day before the first matches of the FIFA World Cup.  It features Chibwe Katebe from Zambia, a finalist in Stand Up Zambia, M-NET’s comedy talent search in that country and a leading member of Natuseke Comedy Express, regarded as the hottest comedy outfit in Zambia. Other featured comics are Philip Luswata from Uganda and Edgar Langeveldt, one of Zimbabwe’s finest stand-up comics and in 2005 and a winner of the Prins Claus Fund Award in recognition of his social and political commentary through comedy.

Although the 3-week slot at the Baxter Theatre was initially booked for the final edition in the Bafana Republic franchise, it was decided to use the slot to provide artists from other parts of the continent with access to South African and international markets during the World Cup.  Part of AFAI’s vision is help artists from the rest of the continent to develop sustainable livelihoods through regional and international exposure. The show will also include some of the best sketches from Bafana Republic 3: Penalty Shootout with Lungi Pinda, directed originally by Mandla Mbothwe.

From Africa with Laugh previews on 9 June and runs till 3 July, mostly at 20:15 but at 18:00 on some evenings to take account of matches in Cape Town. Visit www.baxter.co.za for show details and all tickets are available from Computicket.

Big-hearted South African musicians are donating their time and talent to help Haitians in need, by taking part in the Making A Difference 4 Haiti Benefit Concert at the Baxter Theatre on 12 May 2010.

Spearheaded by radio presenter Doug Anderson, musician Lionel Bastos, and Madelaine Steyn, the M.A.D. 4 Haiti concert will feature a selection of the country’s premier artists in a bid to raise funds for the devastated Caribbean nation, which is still reeling from the 12 January earthquake that killed an estimated 230,000 people. Explains Anderson: “It started off as a Facebook status update: ‘I want to put on a benefit concert for the Haiti victims – anyone interested in helping out?’ This was as a result of seeing the visuals coming out of Haiti, shortly after the earthquake.”

It took only a few seconds for friends to start commenting. The first friend on board was singer/songwriter/producer Lionel Bastos who, in turn, posted the same status update on his Facebook page – and so M.A.D. (Making A Difference) 4 Haiti was born.  Madelaine Steyn created the M.A.D 4 Haiti Facebook fan page.   Since then, a number of well-known South African musicians have volunteered to perform at the benefit concert at the Baxter, that has generously donated the venue free of charge. They include Ross Learmonth [Prime Circle], Farryl Purkiss, Simon Van Gend,Jack Mantis, Gary Thomas, Tina Schouw, Ian Henderson, Claire Phillips, Gavin Minter, Wendy Oldfield,  Mark Fransman, Amanda Tiffin, Lionel Bastos, Merseystate, Flat Stanley and Paul Abro.

The organisers are also making available an album of songs donated by various artists around the country for the M.A.D. 4 Haiti fund, which can be downloaded from www.rhythmmusicstore.com, and a CD may be in the works as well if a label comes on board.  Members of the public who would like to contribute to the disaster relief effort in Haiti while experiencing some of SA’s premier music acts performing under one roof, are urged to head along to the Baxter and rock on down for a good cause. Your small act of compassion may make a huge difference in the lives of many Haitian people.

The Cape Town concert takes place at the Baxter on Wednesday 12 May at 7:30pm. Tickets cost R100 to R120 via Computicket and all proceeds from the concert will be paid into a trust administered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants SA.

Join the Facebook fan page – M.A.D. 4 Haiti – for updates.

The organisers of the M.A.D. 4 Haiti Benefit Concert would like to thank all sponsors for their generous support that has made this event possible.

Just some of the connotations of this version of the language with its origins and influences in the combined demographics of multiple cultures, and so intricately interwoven with the history of our country. Through documentary video, and music, and dance, and the word – spoken, sung, written, rapped… this talented group of performers gives insightful voice to issues affecting them and their communities, as part of a ‘bigger movement of efforts to reclaim the Afrikaans language for all who speak it’.

Strange then, perhaps, for me to be writing about this show in English. But it’s all about expression in the way you feel comfortable doing so – about exploration of roots, and history, and what that means for today. About the rhythm and rhyme and sounds of language. About reading, and being read, between the spoken lines. It’s about identity – as an individual, and as part of a culture, and within the groups within that broader culture. It’s about being young, and trying to find your voice. And being older, and trying to make sense of its context.

The gaps in my understanding of the language(s) being spoken did not hamper my enjoyment of the experience, nor my ability to gain a more profound understanding of the ‘bigger picture’. In the true spirit of ‘edutainment’, there is something to be gained by those from within the communities mirrored on stage, and those who are furthest removed from them; and a good time to be had by all in doing so. Although it had the requisite ‘punch’ to end on a high note, I did not find it to resolve satisfactorily, but it is, on the whole, a fantastic marriage of high-art philosophies, and accessibility; in one of the most passionate and excellently-produced productions I have seen in a while.

Directed by Catherine Henegan, and featuring Jitsvinger, Kyle Shepherd, Blaq Pearl, Emile Jansen, Shane Cooper, Moenier Adams, Bliksemstraal and Jethro Louw, Afrikaaps is showing at the Baxter Theatre until 24 April 2010, in association with The Baxter Theatre Centre, The Glasshouse,and the ABSA KKNK. Bookings can be made through Computicket.

Fiona Gordon
fiona@artslink.co.za

Introdans, one  of the world’s top modern ballet companies, will once again visit Cape Town in  April and May 2010 with a dynamic new offering.

The company,  directed by Roel Voorinholt, presents SP!R!T, a programme in which four  great choreographers from four different continents give shape to energy and  spirit. In Psalm by José Limón, (the American master choreographer and  one of the founding fathers of modern dance), the audience is treated to true  dance architecture. The mystical Bardo by the Japanese choreographer  Toru Shimazaki is a ballet about life after death: a compelling work full of  passion and dynamism. The South African choreographer Vincent Mantsoe has  created a world première for Introdans with the powerful and youthful solo  Lefa. Nacho Duato’s Rassemblement, set to music by Toto  Bissainthe, transports the audience to a world of slavery and passion.

Since its inception in 1971, Introdans has become one of  the top three dance companies in the Netherlands,  continuously presenting high quality modern ballet performances with the themes  Old masters, Contemporary partners, New talent. The company, under Roel Voorintholt’s Artistic Directorship, was founded in 1971 by Hans Focking and  Ton Wiggers. Their Patron is H.R.H. Princess Margriet of The Netherlands.  The company travels widely, both locally and internationally. It attracts a  broad audience worldwide, with various world-renowned  choreographers regularly creating ballets that uniquely combine both classical  elements and modern techniques.  The impressive Introdans repertoire also  contains works by Hans van Manen, William Forsythe, Jirí  Kylián, Paul Lightfoot & Sol León, Mats Ek and Inbal Pinto amongst  others.

SP!R!T runs at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town  from 28 April to 1 May. Tickets cost R75 to R120 via Computicket or 083 915  8000 and special offers are available for schools via sharon.friedman@uct.ac.za.

A fun interactive theatrical production for children between the ages of 2 – 10 years old. Educational and fun, with prizes and give-aways to be won! This is an event not to be missed. Gigs for Kids is specially aimed at children between the ages of 2 – 10 years old. An on-stage adaption of an ancient African folk tale, allows children to explore the magical world of music. Through music, drama and entertainment, the moral of the story – The Magic Water – is a lifelong lesson for children, taught in a fun and educational way.

Date: Saturday, 27 March 2010
Time: 09h30 – 12h00
Venue: V&A Waterfront, Amphitheatre
Price: Free entry, open to the public

For more information, contact Rosie or Shelley on (+27)21 422 5651 or e-mail shelley@espafrika.com.

Artjamming

At Artjamming, you simply walk in and let your imagination take hold of the paint brushes. No drawing or painting skills are needed. Artjammers at the studio are provided with canvases, acrylic paints on tap, and tools to freely express themselves. Let your mind loose and fill the canvas with colours and inspiration.

Date: Any day of the week
Time: 09h00 – 21h00
Venue: Shop 10, Wembley Square, Solan Rd, Gardens or Shop 014, Cape Quarter, Somerset Rd, Green Point
Price: minimum R95

The Ugly Duckling and Other Stories

The Ugly Duckling, The King’s New Clothes and The Princess and the Swineherd are three magical stories by the Danish ‘weaver of dreams’, Hans Christian Andersen. Filled with colourful characters, this stage adaptation sticks closely to the original fairy tales. All three stories have wonderful lessons to be learnt: don’t be judgmental (The Ugly Duckling) – an Ugly Duckling can turn into a beautiful swan; don’t be greedy (The Princess and the Swineherd) and don’t be foolish (The King’s New Clothes).

Date: 8 March – 10 April
Times: 10h30 and 12h00
Venue: Baxter Golden Arrow Studio/Concert Hall
Price: R35

Spot

The little yellow dog is having his birthday and would love for you to come and join in the fun. Spot the lovable dog created by Eric Hill, comes to life at the Book Lounge, well for one day anyway. Definitely a ‘paw print’ day!

Date: 27 March
Times: 11am
Venue: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town
Price: Free (RSVP )

Imagine

Discover the world of imagination with a cast of over 60 enchanting performers, hilarious comic characters, grand illusion and theatrical wonder, as astonishment takes over and the impossible becomes reality. Sensational family holiday entertainment – fun for all ages, with spectacular never-before-seen international illusions. Make sure you don’t miss the number one holiday show in Cape Town!

Date: 3 April – 10 April
Times: 14h30 and 19h30
Venue: Artscape Theatre
Price: R70 – R99

Clay Cafe

Nestled against the mountain in a serene farm-like setting, the Clay Cafe makes for a memorable day of creativity and recreation for children and parents alike. Choose from a vast array of unfired bisque and a wide selection of colourful paints to create crockery that is personal and completely unique. Spend a leisurely day painting in a relaxed environment with our friendly staff at hand to assist you with painting techniques that you may wish to make use of.

Dates: Open 7 days a week
Venue: Old Dairy, Oakhurst Farm, Main Road, Hout Bay
Price: varying

Holiday workshops at Gold of Africa Museum

Children discover the music, stories, games and art of West Africa. You may sign up for one day or all four days. Suitable for children 7 -12 years. For more information: 021 405 1540 or museum@goldofafrica.com

Dates: 29 March – 1 April 2010
Times: 9h00 – 12h00
Venue: Gold of Africa Museum
Price: R50 per day (all materials included)

The Mother City was abuzz last night as theatre-goers and the stars of the stage gathered to celebrate South Africa’s outstanding acting talent at the country’s most established theatre awards ceremony, the annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, held at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch. Known as the Oscar’s of Cape Town, the occasion is widely recognised as the city’s premier red carpet event and this year the organisers were thrilled to welcome Premier Helen Zille and Mayor Dan Plato as the Guests of Honour.

Entertaining the illustrious crowd in between the awarding of prizes was the vivacious Capetonian television personality and radio presenter Elana Afrika who was joined on stage by dynamic performers such as Amanda Strydom, Nomfusi, the South African Youth Choir, Jazzart Dance Theatre, the all-male singing quartet Romanz, Jolette Odendaal, and the iconic Shaleen Surtie-Richards who won her first Fleur du Cap Theatre Award 20 years ago and her second in 2009. Celebrity guests who handed over the awards included the Premier and the Mayor and David Kramer, Soli Philander, Professor Jimmie Earl Perry, Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Sandra Prinsloo and Fiona Coyne .

Distell, one of the leading liquor companies in South Africa, has been funding the performing arts for more than four decades, and presents the annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards as part of the company’s corporate social investment programme. For the past 44 years these distinguished awards have been awarded to professional theatre productions staged in the Western Cape Region. They were established in 1965 when they were known as the Three Leaf Awards and in 1978 the prize was renamed after Fleur du Cap, one of Distell’s many well-known wine brands. The panel of judges is chaired by a non-voting chairman, Mr. Conrad Sidego and the team is made up largely of local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators. The fourteen Fleur du Cap judges, who viewed close to 80 productions in 2009, are Marianne Thamm, Robert Greig, Zane Henry, Brent Meersman, Len Ashton, Peter Tromp, Dr. Beverley Brommert, Jill Markram, Wayne Muller, Denise Bester, Wilhelm Snyman, Marina Griebenow, Mariana Malan and Herman van der Westhuizen. Says Irma Albers, Arts and Culture Controller and the organiser of the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, “ Cape Town remains on the cutting edge of innovative theatre and continues to witness new talent on all fronts.”

The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are given in 18 categories and the winners each receive R15 000 prize money together with a medallion commemorating the honour.

Winning the Best Actor award for the second year in a row and the award for Best Performance in a One Person Show, was double nominee Jeremy Crutchley, honoured for his superb portrayal of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf in I Am My Own Wife, directed by Janice Honeyman who won the Best Director prize for her work on the same play.

Sandra Prinsloo received the Best Actress award for Die Naaimasjien that was written by Rachelle Greeff who scooped the award for Best New SA Script for this excellent work. Erica Wessels was named Best Supporting Actress for her role as Amanda in Private Lives and Guy de Lancey, repeating his 2009 win in the same category, won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Melancholy Jacques in As You Like It.

Jonathan Roxmouth, also nominated twice this year, won the Best Performance in a Musical award for his role as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast , whilst Fiona du Plooy and the cast of Angels on Horseback were the recipients of the award for the Best Performance in a Revue or Cabaret.

Illka Louw enjoyed a double win for her fine work on The Tempest that won her both the Best Costume Design and Best Set Design awards. Triple nominee Janni Younge won for Best Prop and Puppetry Design for her masks in Pictures of You, for which FTH:K’s Rob Murray won the award for the Best Lighting Design.

Tara-Louise Notcutt won the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for New Directors for her direction on …Miskien whilst Magnet Theatre, headed by Jenni Reznek, Mark Fleishman and Mandla Mbothwe, won the Award for Innovation in Theatre. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Maxine Arvan from the Baxter Theatre and the Best Student award was won by Hannah Borthwick from the University of Stellenbosch. Theatre fans voted online for their favourite 2009 production for the People’s Choice Award, and Decadence, starring Emily Child and Scott Sparrow, took the prize.

Guests took advantage of the long weekend to party into the small hours and toasted the winners with superb Fleur du Cap wines, canapes and delicious desserts created by DISH Food and Social. All proceeds from the sale of the tickets went towards the development of theatre in the Western Cape. The next awards ceremony will be held at the Artscape Theatre in March 2011.

The Out The Box Festival of Puppetry & Visual Performance is a visual feast of performances, workshops, talks, exhibitions and films that caters for adults and children alike. This year the event takes place at the Baxter Theatre Centre, The UCT Hiddingh campus in Gardens and the Labia Cinema on Orange Street.

For young audiences, artists present their wildest and most beautiful imaginings in works using puppetry, projection, objects, multi-media and live performers. When the sun sets and the little ones are tucked in bed, adult audiences are invited back to experience something completely different.

Included in the breath-taking line-up for the Adult Festival this year are international performance artists and contemporary dancers, Duda Paiva from the Netherlands and Angel and Edna Jaime from Mozambique. Some of the local works featured are the groundbreaking Quack! by FTH:K ; Acty Tang’s Inscrutable and the acclaimed Mothertongue Theatre’s The Baggage of Bags as well as several new works by new and emerging theatre makers.

So often it is childhood that comes to mind when thinking of puppetry and those wanting a family theatre experience won’t be disappointed. This year The Out The Box festival has created a Family Festival programme of puppetry and visual performance from around the globe featuring both overseas artists and preeminent Southern African youth theatre practitioners like Ubom from Grahamstown,  Arley’s Workshop from Durban and the remarkable Seka from Zambia.

For those who want to get more deeply immersed in the experience, a range of exciting workshops will be presented by specialists in the many diverse forms of puppetry, including a workshop by South Africa’s national treasure, Handspring Puppet Company.

Tickets cost from R30 to R50 via Computicket with special offers for block bookings of ten or more. For more info please visit
www2.outtheboxfestival.com/ or call 021 462 5811.

Get the full programme in your latest Big Issue now!

Presented by a company who encourages their audience to ‘listen with your eyes’, and firmly rooted in the precision of communication that is necessary to do so effectively with the use of sign language, FTH:K expands theatrical boundaries with its ‘Pictures of You’.

FTH:K is a deaf and hearing company that aims to create a platform for experimentation and expansion of the notions of theatre and performance. Conspiracy of clowns is their workshop, and ‘Pictures of You’- its first work, first performed in 2008 on the Fringe at the National Arts Festival – is a remarkably tight production that looks set to continue to wow audiences for some time to come.

The scene is set on entering the theatre – showing what is obviously the living room of a house – table and chairs, front door, some pictures on the walls… The first action we see is a foreshadowing snapshot of drama, but after that, the story, on the surface, seems fairly conventional. A house-proud wife who collects the post every day and makes her husband tea while he reads said post – after he has checked the locks on the door. Repetition suggests routine, but also something more, as we see her obsession with control and cleanliness grow, and how she is transformed with memories of happier times.

But the really phenomenal thing is that this story is told without our conventional communication crutches – the use of the spoken word, and facial expression; making use rather of the powerful language of the body. Their faces are completely hidden throughout by full masks, but masks so expressive sometimes I can’t believe that they are not able to move… But to watch this ‘husband and wife’ move is akin to watching dance. In the rhythm of their movement, repetitively, and in the detail of how they do so, lies much of the power of this story.

Dextrous fingers command attention with even ever-so-slight movements. And the breath… sometimes I even find myself breathing with them.

But the words are not important here. It’s the pictures that are. And it’s well worth making a point of seeing them.

Presented by a conspiracy of clowns, in association with from the hip: khulumakahle (FTH:K), the production is devised and directed by Rob Murray, performed by Liezl de Kock and Dorian Burstein with visual design by winner of the 2010 Standard Bank Young Artist award for theatre and director of Out The Box Festival, Janni Younge and sound design by James Webb, winner of the 2008 ABSA L’atelier prize.

It plays in the Baxter Theatre’s Golden Arrow Studio until 13 February 2010. Tickets can be booked through Computicket.

Fiona Gordon
fiona@artslink.co.za
www.artslink.co.za

Best Performance by an Actor / Beste Vertolking deur ‘n Akteur:
Jeremy Crutchley for his role as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf in I Am My Own Wife
Michael Richard for his role as Martin Vallon in God of Carnage
Scott Sparrow for his role as Petey in The Birthday Party
Scott Sparrow for his roles as Steve and Les in Decadence

Best Performance by an Actress / Beste Vertolking deur ‘n Aktrise:
Emily Child for her roles as Helen and Sybil in Decadence
Louise Saint-Claire for her role as Veronique Vallon in God of Carnage
Robyn Scott for her role as Elizabeth in Elizabeth: Almost by Chance a Woman
Sandra Prinsloo for her role as Magdaleen in Die Naaimasjien

Best Supporting Actor / Beste Ondersteunende Akteur:
Adrian Collins for his role as Stanley in The Birthday Party
Atandwa Kani for her role as Ariel in The Tempest
Guy de Lancey for his role as Melancholy Jacques in As you Like It
Mbulelo Grootboom for his several characters in Iago’s Last Dance

Best Supporting Actress / Beste Ondersteunende Aktrise:
Anna-Mart van der Merwe for her role as Annette Raleigh in God of Carnage
Claire Watling for her role as Madame le Beau and Audrey in As You like It
Erica Wessels for her role as Amanda in Private Lives
Gina Pauling for her role as Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Ernest

Best Director / Beste Regisseur:
Alan Swerdlow for God of Carnage
Christopher Weare for Elizabeth: Almost by Chance a Woman
Hennie van Greunen for Die Naaimasjien
Janice Honeyman for I Am My Own Wife

Best Performance in a One Person Show / Beste Spel in ‘n Eenpersoonvertoning:
Jeremy Crutchley in I Am My Own Wife as Charlotte von Mahsdorf and multiple characters
Michael Richard in My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy as multiple characters
Pumeza Rashe in Red Winter in Gugs as Qagamba
Sandra Prinsloo in Die Naaimasjien as Magdaleen

Jeremy Crutchley double nominee

Best New SA Script / Beste Nuwe SA Teks:
Transit by Ian Bruce
Noah of Cape Town by Graham Weir and Megan Choritz
Iago’s Last Dance by Mike van Graan
Die Naaimasjien by Rachelle Greef

Best Performance in a Musical / Beste Spel in ‘n Musiekblyspel:
Anton Luitingh as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast
Christine Weir as Maria in Noah of Cape Town
Jonathan Roxmouth as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast
Pauline Malefane as Deus / Jesus in The Mysteries

Best Performance in a Revue or Cabaret / Beste Spel in ‘n Revue of Kabaret:
Jonathan Roxmouth in A Handful of Keys as pianist/performer
Loukmaan Adams in Second Time Around as Yussie and Boeta Yu
Roelof Colyn in A Handful of Keys as pianist/performer
Fiona du Plooy and Candice D’Arcy in Angels on Horseback in multiple roles

Best Costume Design / Beste Ontwerp – Kostuums:
Dicky Longhurst for As You Like It
Illka Louw for The Tempest
Marcel Meyer for Private Lives
Penny Simpson for Elizabeth: Almost by Chance a Woman

Best Prop and/or Puppetry Design / Beste Ontwerp: Rekwisiete en/of Poppespelkuns:
Dicky Longhurst for I Am My Own Wife for the props
Janni Younge for Pictures of You for the masks
Janni Younge for Quack for the masks
Janni Younge for The Tempest for the puppets

Quack with masks made by triple nominee Janni Younge

Best Lighting Design / Beste Beligtingsontwerp:
Fahiem Bardien for As You Like It
Mannie Manim for I Am My Own Wife
Mannie Manim for The Tempest
Rob Murray for Pictures of You

Best Set Design / Beste Stelontwerp:
Alfred Rietman for The Tent
Dicky Longhurst for I Am My Own Wife
Dicky Longhurst for Noah of Cape Town
Illka Louw for The Tempest

Most Promising Student Award / Mees Belowende Student:
Hannah Borthwick from the University of Stellenbosch
Wessel Pretorius from the University of Stellenbosch
Wilhelm van der Walt from the University of Stellenbosch
Ebrahim Gordon from the University of Cape Town

Four special awards will be announced at the ceremony on Sunday 21st March. They are the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for New Directors; the Award for Innovation in Theatre that is awarded to an individual, company or organisation working onstage or behind the scenes that has delivered work of excellence and made a contribution to theatre and its development; the Special Lifetime Achievement Award that will go to an individual who has over many years made a significant contribution to theatre, on or off stage; and the popular Peoples’ Choice Award, where theatre fans vote online at www.capetheatre.co.za for their favourite 2009 production, with the deadline for voting being 15th March 2010.

The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards , under the auspices of Distell’s Corporate Social Investment programme, will once again be a glamourous occasion where the stars of the stage mingle with the audience on the red carpet. Tickets cost R150 per person via Computicket and include canapes, Fleur du Cap wines and bubbly, with all funds raised through box office sales going towards the development of the Performing Arts in South Africa. For more information and to vote, visit www.capetheatre.co.za