Fringe Fresh Awards winners announcedThe Cape Town Fringe Festival concluded with the announcement of the Fringe Fresh Awards winners on 8 October. The Awards were introduced this year to reward the performers and productions that stood out in a programme filled with new and edgy work. Fringe Fresh Awards convenor, Tracey Saunders, worked with a panel of theatre critics to select works that were felt to be worthy of special recognition. Says Saunders,“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. It is my hope that the Fresh Fringe awards becomes as intertwined with the spirit of Cape Town as the pink duck of the Amsterdam Fringe. The Fabulous Fringe Roll of Honour in particular acknowledges the work that is done on the fringes, not only at the time of the Festival but throughout the year. 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 are:Audience Award Based on audience feedback, tickets sold and social media mentions: International - Police Cops Fresh CreativeGold Thando Doni - Director - Ubuze Bam Fresh Production/Experience Gold - Fabric of the Universe Fresh Performer David Viviers - The Finkelsteins are Coming to Dinner Fresh Fabulous Roll of Honour Recognising producers and production companies putting on exciting and engaging work: Fresh Music Gold - Msaki and the Golden Circle After the winners were announced, Fringe CEO Tony Lankester thanked the panel of volunteer judges for their commitment, saying: “We greatly appreciate the time, passion and energy being a panelist requires. We would like to acknowledge all the judges for their contribution to The Fringe Fresh Awards 2016 and we would like to thank Tracey Saunders in particular for her tireless dedication to theatre and the coordination of these awards.” The panel of judges were:Tracey Saunders (journalist and awards convenor) For the full list of Fringe Fresh Award nominees visit capetownfringe.co.za |