The annual Fringe Festival came to a close on Saturday October 8 with the announcement of the winners of the first Fringe Fresh Awards .
The awards were introduced this year to reward the performers and productions that stood out in a programme filled with new work.
Fringe Fresh Awards convenor Tracey Saunders worked with a panel of theatre critics and industry leaders to select works that were deemed worthy of special recognition.
“There has been a wealth of talent but it’s the creative efforts that have been fresh and exciting that have really given the festival a distinctive characteristic,” said Ms Saunders.
“The Fringe is a place of daring and adventure, an opportunity to take a chance and show your creative wild card. The past 17 days have done exactly that and more.”
The 2016 Fringe Fresh Award winners were:
International comedy duo Police Cops and the performance Dangled won the audience awards based on audience feedback, tickets sold and social media mentions.
The Fresh creative awards were won by, in first place, Thando Doni, the director of Ubuze Bam; in second place Alan Parker, the
choreographer of Sacre for One, and in third place, Jason Jacobs, the director of Stof Rooi Winning gold, silver and broze medals for Fresh Productions were Fabric of the Universe, #Ballet Must Fall and You suck and Other Inescapable Truths respectively.
David Viviers of The Finkelsteins are Coming to Dinner won the fresh performer award.
Theatre in the Backyard, the Theatre Arts Admin Collective, Makukhanye Arts Room, Ubuntu Arts Academy, Zabalaza were mentioned on the Fresh Fabulous Roll of Honour, which recognised producers and production companies putting on exciting and engaging work.
The Fresh Music awards were won by productions Msaki and the Golden Circle, which received gold; Fish Wives, which received silver and Nombasa, which received bronze.
