KickstArt Theatre Productions
Durban’s premier theatre production company, KickstArt, has a strong presence in the nominations line up for this year’s annual Naledi Theatre Awards for productions staged in Johannesburg in 2019.
The multi award-winning Durban based creative has been nominated for 12 Naledi Awards this week for their sumptuous version of Steven Sondheim’s Into the Woods that was staged in association with Pieter Toerien Productions in Johannesburg last year. Into the Woods was first staged in Durban in April at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on UKZN campus in 2016 and performed to sold out houses for two weeks.
On hearing the announcement, KickstArt Director Steven Stead said: “It is really wonderful to have work recognised which one cares so deeply about. Into the Woods is such an extraordinary production, it was a glorious privilege and enormous thrill to be able to stage it. It is a production we have wanted to do for ages. We are delighted to be honoured and affirmed by the Naledi Awards, especially during these difficult times.”
Were it not for Lockdown, KickstArt Theatre Productions would currently have their first production of the year, An Unromantic Comedy on the Elizabeth Sneddon stage. Like all of their associates in the live-performance arena, they are having to re-asses their plans for the year going forward. KickstArt is much loved for their annual year-end panto. This year they will be staging Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban over the festive season.
The list of KickstArt nominations for the 2019 Naledi Awards are:
Best Production Of A Musical
Into the Woods
Best Lead Performance In A Musical: Female
Jessica Sole as The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods)
Kate Normington as The Witch (Into the Woods)
Best Lead Performance In A Musical: Male
Earl Gregory as The Baker (Into the Woods)
Best Featured/Supporting Actor In A Musical
Zak Hendrikz as The Prince/Wolf (Into the Woods)
Best Ensemble
Into the Woods (Prod. Pieter Toerien and Kickstart)
Best Director Of A Musical
Steven Stead (Into the Woods)
Best Musical Director
Drew Bakker (Into the Woods)
Best Theatre Set Design
Greg King (Into the Woods)
Best Costume/Props Design
Neil Stuart Harris (Into the Woods)
Best Lighting Design/Animations
Tina Le Roux (Into the Woods)
Best Sound Design/Soundscape
Mark Malherbe (Into the Woods)
For more info visit www.kickstarttheatre.co.za or follow on Instagram or Facebook.