Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Clarifies Scope, Eligibility and Processes for Theatre-Makers, Performers and Press

Melanie Burke, the chair of the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards panel held three sessions in Cape Town yesterday outlining the scope, rules and processes of the awards programme that takes place on an annual basis in the Mother City and its surrounds. The aim was to make the awards process more accessible to theatre-makers, performer and the press. Sponsored by Distell, South Africa's premier producer of fine wines, spirits and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, the prestigious theatre awards are named after Fleur du Cap, one of Distell's many well-known wine brands.

Each year in March, the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards aim to recognise and celebrate excellence in live professional theatre in and around Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Professional theatre productions staged at the venues including the Alexander Upstairs, all venues at the Artscape Theatre Centre, all venues at the Baxter Theatre Centre, the Drostdy Theatre, all venues at the Fugard Theatre, the Galloway Theatre, the HB Thom Theatre, the Kalk Bay Theatre, the Magnet Theatre, the Masque Theatre, Maynardville, all venues at the University of Cape Town's Hiddingh Campus, the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, Theatre Arts Admin Collective and Theatre on the Bay are considered for awards, as are other venues that are appropriated as theatre venues from time to time.

The awards carry a cash prize, which is determined by Distell and a medallion. The winner of the category Most Promising Student does not receive a medallion but does get a cash prize and an official letter of congratulations. The recipients of the Encore, Innovation in Theatre and Lifetime Achievement Awards receive a
certificate and prize money.

Check out the infographic below for an overview of the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, with information about the current judging panel, a blow-by-blow account of the process, notes on eligibility, and the award categories that will feature in next year's ceremony. The infographic should be read in conjunction with the full document that was provided at yesterday's meeting.