NEWS RELEASE: APRIL 9 2006: REPS AWARDS

Two plays shared the accolade of Reps Theatre’s best production of 2005 in the African Distillers Awards of Excellence, which were presented in a glittering ceremony at the theatre on Saturday night (April 8).

The panel of judges decided that Proof, a drama directed by Graham Crutchley, and the musical Godspell Revival, directed by Mike Lanchester, should share top honours. Proof also found success in the best actress category, won by Hayley Mayger, while Godspell enjoyed success in the supporting actor and actress categories, won by Zane E Lucas and Chiyedza Nyahuye respectively.

Martin Bolt was named best actor for his performance in the 2005 pantomime, Aladdin, in which he played the character Wishee Washee, while Debbie Fleming was named best director for her debut directorial role in Broadway Hits and Musical bits.

Repertory Players chairman Tim Garrard and convenor of judges Gill West said that despite the challenging economic situation Reps Theatre had enjoyed a busy year, a sentiment echoed by the sponsor, African Distillers, whose managing director, Ken Jarvis, commended the theatre for its continued important role in the local entertainment scene.

The Awards of Excellence event was attended by several hundred members of The Repertory Players and other guests, with entertainment provided by David Smith, Ellena Kupusa Smith, boy band 5Star (made up of Dean Raybould, Patrick Barrett, Josh Ansley and Alex Fairlie), Danzation dance group (made up of Natalie Bradbury, Miranda Bradbury, Carol Henchie and Angie Klaasen), Storm Everashed and Chiyedza Nyahuye.

The fill list of winners in the 2005 Reps and African Distillers Awards of Excellence:

• Reps Theatrical Advancement Award sponsored by African distillers as a community service, for the inaugural Schools’ Festival: winner - Peterhouse, Master Harold and the Boys; runner-up - St George’s College, Twelfth Night;
• Prentice Trophy for best performance in a minor role: Sue Evans (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾);
• Sue Greener Technical Award: Colin Swinton (set design for Proof, set and lighting design for Boy Band Blockbusters and set and lighting design for Aladdin);
• Hugh Dornhurst Trophy for the best first performance in a Reps production: Chishamiso Musariri (Being);
• Best performance by a junior aged 12 year and under: Amy Bolt (Aladdin);
• Marjorie Legg Trophy for best stage properties: Lynda Hyde (Godspell Revival);
• Dave Roberts Trophy for the most outstanding musical performance: Patrick Barrett (Boy Band Blockbusters);
• Alistair and Wendy Booth Award for best comedy performance: Robert Marple (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾);
• Alan Parkinson Award for best actor in a supporting role: Zane E Lucas (Godspell Revival);
• Allan Shaw Award for best actress in a supporting role: Chiyedza Nyahuye (Godspell Revival);
• Adrian Stanley Award: David Smith (nominated for a variety of roles in Proof, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 ¾ and Broadway Hits and Musical Bits);
• Munro Trophy for best all-round contribution to Reps Theatre: Chris Charnley;
• Steve Bonney Special Award: Matthew Manyoza, a barman at Reps Theatre for the past 27 years;
• Isabeau Granger Trophy for the best amateur director: Debbie Fleming (Broadway Hits and Musical Bits);
• John Keeling Award for best actor in a leading role: Martin Bolt (Aladdin);
• George Barnes Award for best actress in a leading role: Hayley Mayger (Proof);
• Oude Meester Award of Excellence for the best production of 2005: Proof (a Theatre Upstairs production) and Godspell Revival (a Main Stage production).

Ends

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