THE nominees for the Naledi Theatre Awards were announced on Monday, 27 March.
The announcement was held at the Joburg Theatre and The Market Theatre, Joburg Theatre and AfriForum Teater dominated the nominations.
Legendary actor John Kani also bagged seven nominations for Best Theatre Set Design, Best Original Soundscape, Best Sound Design, Best Director Of A Play, Best Lead Actor In A Play, Best New South African Script, and Best Production Of A Play.
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Popular theatre dancer Gregory Maqoma bagged nominations for Best Director Of A Musical Theatre Production and Best Choreography In A Play Or Musical Theatre Production.
Speaking about the nominations, Gregory Maqoma said he is grateful.
“Thank you Naledi Theatre Awards for boosting my confidence as we attempt to produce more local content. Third World Express is my directorial debut in a musical theatre, probably the biggest challenge in my career. What made it easier was an excellent team of performers who were ready to fall hard with me. I’m forever indebted to each one of them,” he said.
Karabo Legoabe, who was nominated for Best Theatre Set Design, has been nominated for a third time in a row and she said she is proud of herself.
“I've been nominated for best Theatre Set Design for the third year in a row, what an honour. Every year since 2020, I must be doing something right! Not only did I get to work with one of my favourite directors Clive Mathibe, but I was so proud of this show,” Karabo said.
Alan Committie, Graham Hopkins, John Kani, Katlego Chale, Michael Richard and Paul Slabolepszy bagged nominations for Best Lead Actor In A Play, while Fiona Ramsay, Gontse Ntshegang , Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala, Julie-Anne McDowell, Kim Cloete and Robyn Scott are nominated for Best Lead Actress In A Play.
The Best New South African Script nominees are Deon Meyer (Karoo Suite 2 – Karoonagte – Pieter Toerien Productions), John Kani (Kunene and the King – Joburg Theatre and John Kani Productions), Leon van Nierop (Plesierengel – Leftfoot Theatre Productions and The Centurion Theatre), Monageng Motshabi (The Red on the Rainbow – The South African State Theatre), Peter Terry (At all costs – Daphne Kuhn and Theatre on the Square) and Siphiwe Mahala (Bloke and his American Bantu – UJ Arts & Culture in association with the Sello Maake kaNcube Foundation)
The nominees for Best Production Of A Musical/Musical Theatre Production are Brel/Piaf (Pieter Toerien Productions), Die Gelofte (AfriForum Teater), Hlakanyana – The Musical (UJ Arts & Culture and Madevu Entertainment), Sinbad (Montecasino and Kickstart Productions), The Trolley Dollies – The Triplets of Bellville (Deviant Theatricals) and Third World Express (Joburg Theatre and Shadrack Bokaba).
The awards will be held at the Joburg Theatre on 22 May.
