| Ceremony promises surprises
Theatre with Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
THIS week, we take a sneak preview of the African Distillers Awards of Excellence scheduled for April 8 at Harare’s Reps Theatre.
Like any awards ceremony, this year’s event promises excitement and surprises. At least seven Reps Theatre shows are in the running for the title of Best Production of 2005 and that is a record considering that it was a successful and busy year. This year is the Repertory Players’ 75th anniversary and the awards night will be used as a booster for another busy year of productions. Each year the Reps awards are presented for the preceding year’s set of productions and these are now sponsored by African Distillers. The full list of nominations: Best Performance in a Minor Role: Sue Bolt, Chris Charnley, Sue Evans, Robert Marple and William Schofield (all in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾). Technical Award: Anna Swinton and Elinor Kennedy for the costumes for Aladdin; Sue McLaren and David Reeler for the décor for Aladdin; Colin Swinton for set design for Proof, and also for set and lighting design for Boy Band Blockbusters and Aladdin. Best First Performance In A Reps Production: Patrick Barrett - Boy Band Blockbusters; Storm Evershed - Broadway Hits and Musical Bits; Chishamiso Musariri - Being; Chiyedza Nyahuye - Godspell; David Smith, Darren Theron and Laura Tofts (all in Proof); Matthew Trustham - The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾. Best Performance By A Junior (12 Years Or Younger): Amy Bolt - Aladdin; Brett Wratten - Hits and Musical Bits. Outstanding Musical Performance: Patrick Barrett - Boy Band Blockbusters; Storm Evershed, Dean Raybould and David Smith - Broadway Hits and Musical Bits; Chiyedza Nyahuye - Godspell. Best Comedy Performance: Martin Bolt - Aladdin; Robert Marple - The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾; Chiyedza Nyahuye - Godspell. Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Zane E. Lucas - Godspell; David Smith - Proof. Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Chiedza Mhende - Aladdin; Chiyedza Nyahuye - Godspell; Laura Tofts - Proof. Best Amateur Director: Graham Crutchley - Proof; Debbie Fleming - Broadway Hits and Musical Bits; Mike Lanchester - Godspell. Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jane Houston-Green - Being; Fiona Garrity - The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾; Hayley Mayger - Proof. Best Actor in a Leading Role: Martin Bolt - Aladdin; David Smith - The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾. Best Production: Proof; Boy Band Blockbusters; Being; The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾; Broadway Hits and Musical Bits; Godspell; Aladdin. Also to be presented will be several awards for which there are no nominations, but which are based on the judges’ decisions: the Adrian Stanley Award, the Steve Bonney Special Award, and the Munro Trophy for best all-round contribution. A further award will be presented based on a points system - that of Best Stage Properties. In addition, the Reps Theatrical Advancement Award will be presented for the first time for the 2005 entries into the Reps Schools Festival sponsored by African Distillers and adjudicated by Lanchester. At least seven senior schools participated: Peterhouse, Arundel, Lomagundi College, St George’s College, the Harare International School, Heritage School and Chisipite. Peterhouse won the award with Master Harold and the Boys, which was presented in Theatre Upstairs, while St George’s was runner-up with Twelfth Night, performed on Reps’ main stage. For comments and views, forward them to jonathan.mbiriyamveka@zimpapers.co. zw |
