Artscape prides itself in being the premiere home for excellence in the Performing Arts in the Western Cape, and last night at a glittering function at Oude Libertas Amphitheatre in Stellenbosch, excellence in theatre was rewarded at the 58^th annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards.

Collectively, the Artscape affiliated production scooped 8 of the awards in the competitive categories.

The most awarded production of the evening was Contested Bodies, an outrageous new South African play presented by Abrahamse & Meyer Productions, a company that picked up sixteen nominations. Contested Bodies picked up awards for Fred Abrahamse as BEST DIRECTOR, Marcel Meyer for BEST COSTUME DESIGN and for Lungile Lallie, Matthew Baldwin and Marcel Meyer for BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE in their respective roles as John Nobody, Doctor James Barry, and Lord Charles Somerset.

The big musical theatre winner of the evening was another original South African piece, the haunting new musical Star+Crossed that won both the coveted BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL and BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL award for Earl Gregory and Isabella Jane respectively for their tour de force performances in this two hander musical. Star+Crossed was presented over the Festive season in the Artscape Arena in a joint co-production between Abrahamse and Meyer Productions and VR Theatrical.

The awards for Contested Bodies and Star+Crossed were a celebration of Artscape commitment to present original South African works on our stages that reflect the diversity of our national heritage.

Cape Town Opera, one of Artscape’s resident companies, won big in the two opera categories for their sumptuous production of Mozart’s Le Nozze Di Figaro presented in the Artscape Opera House. Conroy Scott picked up the award for BEST PERFORMANCE IN AN OPERA – MALE for his performance of Figaro and Brittany Smith won BEST PERFORMANCE IN AN OPERA – FEMALE as Figaro’s great love Susanna.

Artscape also passionately advocates for the nurturing and building of new audiences and is thrilled that Marinda Egelbrecht and Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck picked up the award for BEST THEATRE PRODUCTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG AUDIENCES for their production of Vlooi en die Geheim/Kipper and the Secret which enthralled young theatre lovers on our Theatre stage.

Much admired set and costume designer, Peter Cazalet, who’s long and distinguished career is deeply connected with Artscape, was one of two winners of the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award. For many years Peter was the head of CAPAB’s design department and his designs have graced stages across the world.

The second Lifetime Achievement Award went to David Kramer for his undisputed contribution to the arts and entertainment industry both nationally and internationally with his work as producer, musician and story-teller. David has captivated audiences not only on the Artscape stage but across the globe with his wonderful music and musical theatre productions.

Congratulations to all the Award Winners: