Three Cape Town Opera (CTO) House soloists received top honours 59th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards held at the Baxter Theatre on 17 March.
Also read: And the nominees for the 59th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are…
Soprano Nobulumko Mngxekeza won Best Female Opera Performance for her role as Tosca, while Lukhanyo Moyake took Best Male Opera Performance for his portrayal of Cavadarossi in the same production.
Tosca, directed by Magdalene Minnaar, was staged at Artscape and the Joburg Theatre last year.
Angelo Gobbato, founder of Cape Town Opera, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long contribution to the art form. He will direct CTO’s Lucia di Lammermoor in June.
Brittany Smith won Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Maria in The Sound of Music, a significant accolade since this was her first time performing in a musical. In an emotional speech, Smith thanked CTO’s Managing Director Alex Gabriel, Artistic Director Magdalene Minnaar, and her fellow cast members for the support she received throughout the hugely successful run.
The Sound of Music, which was a first-time collaboration between Cape Town Opera and Pieter Toerien Productions also saw William Berger, a frequent guest artist with CTO, take home the prize for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical for his role as Max Detweiler.
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Brittany Smith secured the esteemed title of Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Maria in The Sound of Music, marking a significant achievement as her inaugural venture into musical theatre. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Smith expressed gratitude to CTO’s Managing Director Alex Gabriel, Artistic Director Magdalene Minnaar, and her fellow cast members for their unwavering support during the highly successful production.
The Sound of Music, a groundbreaking collaboration between Cape Town Opera and Pieter Toerien Productions, also saw William Berger, a familiar face at CTO, clinch the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his role as Max Detweiler.
Brittany Smith won Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her debut performance as Maria in The Sound of Music.
The production, a collaboration between Cape Town Opera and Pieter Toerien Productions, also earned William Berger the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Max Detweiler.
Commenting as panel chair, 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.
Africa Melane, speaking in his capacity as panel chair, remarked that 2023 stood out as a year of theatrical brilliance, with the awards showcasing a vibrant and robust blend of both emerging and seasoned local talent.
Africa Melane, panel chair, described 2023 as a year of theatrical excellence, noting a diverse mix of emerging and established local talent in the awards. ‘As a panel, we were thrilled with the exceptional quality of productions mounted in Cape Town and Stellenbosch during 2023.
‘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.’
CTO’s upcoming SHORTS – A Festival of Pocket Operas at Artscape features three productions: Trial by Media with Brittany Smith and Van Wyk Venter, The Impresario starring Lonwabo Mose, and La voix humaine featuring guest soprano Janelle Visagie. It will run from 11 to 21 April.
You can view a recorded live stream of the awards here.
The winners of the 59th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are:
- Most promising student: Angelique Viaan Filter | University of Stellenbosch
- Best new South African script: Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni | Delela
- Best new director: Amée Lekas | African Gothic | Drama
- Best theatre production for children and young people: The King of Broken Things | Theatresmiths
- Best performance by an ensemble: 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
- Best performance in a revue, cabaret or solo show: Marlo Minnaar | Die halwe huis | Bumper Jansen
- Best performance by a supporting actor in a musical or music theatre show: William Berger | The Sound of Music | Max Detweiler
- Best performance by a supporting actress in a musical or music theatre show: Tankiso Mamabolo | Ziyana | Mother
- Best performance by a lead actor in a musical or music theatre show: Stuart Brown | We Will Rock You | Galileo
- Best performance by a lead actress in a musical or music theatre show: Brittany Smith | The Sound of Music | Maria Rainer
- Best puppetry design: Luyanda Nogodlwana | Maxeke: This work is not for yourselves | Drama
- Best lighting design: Nicolaas de Jongh | Die fel omstrede kroon van Edward II en Gaveston | Drama
- Best set design: Joshua Lindberg | The Promise – On Stage | Drama
- Best costume design: Marthinus Basson | Die fel omstrede kroon van Edward II en Gaveston | Drama
- Best sound design, original music, soundscape or live performance: Charl-Johan Lingenfelder | The Promise – On Stage | Sound design and original score
- Best performance in an opera (male): Lukhanyo Moyake | Tosca | Mario Cavaradossi
- Best performance in an opera (female): Nobulumko Mngxekeza | Tosca | Floria Tosca
- Best performance by a supporting actor in a play: Mark Elderkin | A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Bottom
- Best performance by a supporting actress in a play: Jennifer Steyn | The Beauty Queen of Leenane | Mag Folan
- Best performance by a lead actor in a play: Brent Palmer | King George | George Megalos
- Best performance by a lead actress in a play: Sandra Prinsloo | Die moeder | Anna
- Best director: Marthinus Basson | Die fel omstrede kroon van Edward II en Gaveston | Drama
- Best production: Die moeder | US Woordfees | Drama
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Picture: Screenshot of video by Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards / Facebook
