[The Natural Arts Diary 1997 - Click for information]

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DRAMA

THEATRE AWARDS

The winners of this year's FNB Vita National theatre awards are:

Play of the Year was Kafka Dances which won top director for Clare Stopford, performance by an actor in a leading role for Dawid Minnar and costume design for Adrian Kohler.

Performance by an actress in a leading role went to Jana Cilliers for Masterclass). Performance awards in supporting roles went to actor Brian Webber for Beautiful Thing and actresses Isadora Verwey and Nomsa Xaba, both for Die Pakkamer.

Faustus in Africa

won Production of the Year of a New South African Play as well as Lighting Design (Mannie Manim) and Set Designer (William Kentridge and Adrian Kohler).

Outstanding Performance in musical theatre went to Ian von Memerty and the Kat and the Kings Ensemble with the latter production winning musical theatre production of the year.

South African Playwright of the Year was shared by Anthony Akerman and Marga van Rooy for Dark Outsider.

The FNB Vita/Star Tonight Awards for Comedy went to The Colored Museum as best production and Actress (shared by Joanna Weinberg and Moshidi Motshegwa) and Actor (Brian Webber).

Moyre Fine Awards for Lifetime Contri-bution of Theatrical Life and Outstanding Contribution to Theatrical Life went to Sipho Sepamla and John Slemon.

ANYTHING GOES

The Westville Theatre Club presents Cole Porter's popular musical Anything Goes directed by Paddy Bell-Fisher at the Westville Civic Centre from November 21 to 23 and November 27 to 30. Ticket price includes a two-course meal. A bar will be available.

To book phone 86-7333.

NEW MARINERS

Veteran theatre man Aden Love, who has recently been appointed manager of Mariners, is set to get unsubsidised theatre back on its feet again.

Mariners, at the Backpackers Club, 154 Point Road, has all the makings of being a popular entertainment venue. The complex comprises a stage in a hall which can seat at least 500 people, an ample-sized restaurant and bar with a stage area suitable for supper theatre.

Mariners used to be a seaman's club and its foundation stone was laid in 1890. Since then the facade has been done over twice. In the last year, it has been turned into a backpackers hostel with 150 beds.

In its heyday as the Seafarers' Club, it was a vibrant performance venue and established names like Norraine Swanby and Iris Manning used to appear there.

SEMI-PROFESSIONAL

Aden wants to start a semi-professional theatre company, "We only have a low budget at present," he explains, "but the potential is there. We need directors, writers and designers to come forward. Several scripts have been completed and are ready to go."

The forthcoming production is Horror-torio, a celebration of Hallowe'en (see separate article).

Aden knows his business as he has been in theatre for many years, mainly specialising in stage management. He has worked for Brian Brooke, Brickhill-Burke, Taubie Kushlick and Pieter Toerien as well as for Capab and Napac.

Aden wants to make the complex as accessible as possible. "We don't want people to have to pay more than R10 or R15 for shows. And there's a 24-hour security guard. When there's an evening performance, we get the cars round the back and bring in extra guards".

To contact Aden, ring 32-0541.

PINETOWN REPS FUN

Presently in rehearsal is the Pinetown Repertory Players production of Out of Order, the Ray Cooney comedy that won the West End's 1991 Laurence Olivier award for best comedy.

Claudia Fanner is directing a cast that includes Dave Clark, Carol Ramsden, Genni Gent, Peter Kaiser, Clare Hoogervorst, Iain Lomas-Walker and Ron Fanner. Included is some new talent. Out of Order can be seen at the Pinetown Library from November 21 to 24 and November 28 to December 1.

GREAT ROBBERY

The Playhouse Company and Radio Lotus present The Great R13 Million Robbery in the Playhouse Studio from December 3. It's a new musical written and directed by Ronnie Govender whose 1949 recently played the same venue.