Standard Bank Ovation Awards

The Standard Bank Ovation Awards are awarded by a panel of anonymous reviewers to productions on the Fringe Festival Programme at the National Arts Festival. The panel members see shows on the Fringe and meet daily to discuss the awarding of winners.

The awards, which are given throughout the Festival, recognise 'artistic innovation, excellence, the exploration of new performance styles and the courage to open new conversation through the arts'; they are awarded to productions that are noticeable for being a cut above, well received by audiences – and that leave a lasting impression. The Standard Bank Ovation Awards help audiences – and producers – to identify quality work on the Fringe Festival Programme. They also act as a bridge between the Fringe and the Main programme, with all winning productions invited to put forward proposals for the Arena programme.

History

The Standard Bank Ovation Awards have been presented at the National Arts Festival since 2010. During the inaugural year, every Fringe production was eligible to be considered. However, from 2011, only fringe productions that have not been staged for more than two consecutive years qualify.

Criteria

The following criteria are considered by the panel when reviewing a production for the Standard Bank Ovation:

strength of production (taking into consideration the various creative and technical elements);
quality of performances, writing & directing; conceptualisation, innovation & originality (does the work create new directions?);
potential longevity? (does the production deserve to have a life beyond the Festival? Will a Standard Bank Ovation place it under the radar of a potential management, funder or festival?);
overall impact of the production

Standard Bank Ovation Awards Winners

Some winners of Standard Bank Ovation Awards at previous Festivals include:

2018 Featured Artist Mamela Nyamza – Okutya Phantsi Kwempumlo/The Meal (2012)

2018 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music Guy Buttery – Gold Ovation Award (2010), plus five Ovation Awards

2018 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre Jemma Kahn – Two Silver Awards (The Epicene Butcher and Other Stories for Consenting Adults in 2012; We Didn’t Come to Hell for the Croissants: 7 Deadly New Stories in 2015)

Gavin Krastin (#OMNOMNOM)

Artscape Theatre – 15 productions; one in partnership

Kalk Bay Theatre – seven, including four in partnership

ExploSIV Productions – six, with one in partnership

2018:

The following 2018 Standard Bank Ovation Awards were awarded in 2018 at the Monument on the 8th July 2018

Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award winners: MEDUMO YA BORWA (The best African Song and Dance thriller); J. BOBS LIVE: OFF THE RECORD – Jefferson Tshabalala; SULLIED –Kirsti-Leigh Gresse

Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award winners: BLUE PERIOD OF MILTON VAN DER SPUY – Hexagon Theatre; THE REVLON GIRL – Search for Productions; EMATHONGENI – Amandla Dança Teatro ZA; MARENE – Marene; HACHETMAN

Standard Bank Ovation Winners: ANDY NDLAZILWANA; DECEPTIVE DELIGHTS WITH STUART LIGHTBODY – Stuart Lightbody; DUO KP – Peter Cartwright; GARY THOMAS: MOODSHIP – Gary Thomas; GASLIGHT – Laine Butler; I’M HIV AND LIVING – Thando Mbulelo Mbanjwa; LETTERS WITH MA’SISULU – FMA-Neo Motsatse; MEDUSA INCARNATE – Kate Pinchuck in collaboration with The Furies; NOMABOTWE SINGS; PHOKWANE CHRONICLES – Galeshewe Theatre Organisation; SAINTHOOD – Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni; SILKWORM – Contagious; THE DEAD CHANT IN DEATH – Tshwane University of Technology; THE ISLAND – Paxinos Productions & CYBTT; TSWALO – Theatreduo; UNONO OBUYILE – Lumunyano Dance Group

Standard Bank Ovation Encore Award winners Standard Bank Ovation Encore Awards recognise merit and potential in works that can be developed.: BEST FRIENDS/WORST ENEMIES; CHOIR BOY; INGOMA; LIFT CLUB; LOVE IN THE TIME OF REVOLUTION; MOTSWADI; NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION;  SATANIC DAGGA ORGY; UDAKA

MERIT: DEVILS AT A DEAD END

Ovations Award panel

Judges of the 2018 panel were: Tracey Saunders (convenor), Alon Nashman, Amelda Brand, Andrew Mulenga, Gopala Davies, Greg MacArthur, Hugo Theart, Kiroshan Naidoo, Luvuyo Yanta, Marcus Desando, Motlatji Ditodi, Namisa Mdlalose, Octavian Siau, Phemelo Helleman, Rafiek Mammon, Reggie Danster, Temba Ncetani and Thulani Nongogo.

2022:

GOLD: ÎLE (Spark in the Dark); Nakanjani (Gauteng DSRAC); Malifezeke (Iphupho L’ka Biko); Emsini (Thapelo Tshite Arts Development)

SILVER: Impossible (Brendon Peel Entertainment); The Gukurahundi Genocide (Uloyiko Theatre and Projects); The Vocal Explosion (Amazing Grace)(Asanda Mqiki); Whistleblowers (AFDA – Johannesburg); Asinamali (North West Development Agency); My Weight and Why I Carry It (Fishnet Features); Matchbox (Rhodes University Drama Department); May I Have This Dance (The Outline); Moodship (Gary Thomas); NSFW – NOT SAFE FOR WOKE (KG Mokgadi)

BRONZE: Fragments (Stacey van Schalkwyk); Nombasa (Nombasa M Productions); Intlombe (Andy Ndlazilwana); Piano Classics (Best of Both Concerts); Kgetho (Emfuleni Arts Creatives); SwaRingana (Sikhuthali Oliver Bonga & Walter Strydom); We’re Back With Goosebump A Cappella (NWU Arts); I.N.C.O.K.O (Ezinyaweni Zam); Afrika Sings (Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts); Nomapondo (Amandla Danca Teatro ZA); Vincent (Wela Kapela Productions)

OVATION AWARDS: Classical Dreams (Kwantu Designs); Undead Generation (Five Sided Records); Can’t-centrate (Yaaseen Barnes); The Story of Eva Cassidy (Wela Kapela Productions); The Cracked Vase (Connecting Streams); BasicCity Band (BasicCity); Hiding in the Dark (Mannini Nkata); Stay At Home Comedian (Dalin Oliver); Mamlambo (Walter Sisulu University Drama Society); The Children’s Monologues (OY!Theatre, a project of Theatre Arts); Ghetto the Musical (The Eastern Cape Theatre Ensemble)