Many debut productions nominated for Kanna awards
artsouthafrica issues
From the Press Release: “The productions at this year’s Absa KKNK displayed genre versatility and addressed relevant issues in realist theatre, according to the Kanna panel. The panel has also identified an upward curve in the classical, contemporary dance and theatre genres and classical music has been singled out as the best in years. The contemporary music and musical theatre has also been of outstanding quality. Developmental and interdisciplinary theatre, as well as conceptual performances focusing on various topical issues, has assumed an important role on the festival programme. Following the success of Betésda last year, the site-specific theatre developed remarkably and theatre that crosses language barriers, including physical theatre, has been well received. A wide variety of visual arts were on show this year, including both international and local artists exhibiting work of exceptional quality. Every year the Absa KKNK rewards the best work at the festival in a variety of categories, with cash prizes and specially designed trophies for the winners. The trophies, designed by Marieke Prinsloo, are also known as the Klein Karoo Oscars. The nominations for the Kanna Awards in their respective categories are: 1. Nominations for the Slurpie Kanna for Best Upcoming Artist: – Emmanuel Bach in the UP Symphony Orchestra’s Scotch on the Rocks- The Namjive company for Padonbekend and Mense van mense – Shimmy Isaacs in the drama “Howzit my bra!”These nominations include all genres. 2. Nominations for the Kanna for Best Female Artist- Nicola Hanekom for the text and direction of the drama Lot, as well as her role in WEES- Robyn Scott in London Road- Zanta Hofmeyr in Beethoven op. 18 Strykkwartet and Mozart Divertimento in E-mol k. 563 3. Nominations for the Kanna for Best Male Artist- Ben Schoeman in the classical music recital Ben Schoeman speel / plays Franz Liszt- Christo Davids in the drama My naam / name is Ellen Pakkies- Stian Bam in the dramas Lot and SpytThese Awards include the following genres: drama, musical theatre, children’s theatre, spoken word, dance, visual arts, classical music, contemporary music as well as all technical categories (sound, décor, make-up set design, lighting etc.). 4. Kanna nominations for Best Director – David Geysen for the drama Messe in henne- Lara Bye for the drama London Road- Nicola Hanekom for the drama Lot 5. Kanna nominations for Best Absa KKNK-Debut productionThe aim of this award is to recognise work that has been specially created for the Absa KKNK. This includes: new stage text, musical composition, choreography and visual art. – The drama Lot- The contemporary music production Malaika / My engel- The classical music production Vuurvoël 6. Kanna nominations for Best ProductionThe emphasis falls on how the different theatrical elements were combined — acting, production, technical components, choreography. In other words the integration of the above to form a production of a high quality.- The drama Lot- The drama My naam / name is Ellen Pakkies- The classical music performance Tygeberg Kinderkoor – Wêreldkampioene in konsert 7. The Herrie Kanna for Mind Shifting WorkThe Herrie Kanna for mind shifting work has no nominations and the winner will be announced during the Kanna Awards function. The following special awards will also be made: 8. The Afrikaans Onbeperk prize for Innovative Thinking to be awarded to Ingrid Winterbach. 9. The Special Kanna for a lifetime achievement in performance will be awarded to Wilna Snyman. This year’s Kanna panel is headed by Alwyn Swart and the panel consisted of Adrienne Sichel, Amanda Botha, Chrisna du Preez, Christiaan de Swardt, Denise Bester, Diane de Beer, Eduard Greyling, Erns Grundlingh, Hein Willemse, John Theodore, Martjie Roos, Ronnie Samaai, Wim Vorster en Woutrine Theron. Congratulations to all those who have been nominated, and also to all the artists that made this year’s festival such an artistic success.”
