Nov 13, 2009
The internationally acclaimed Cape Town-based theatre company, Isango Portobello, has been awarded an Arts and Culture Trust Award for Excellence in Opera.
The internationally acclaimed Cape Town-based theatre company, Isango Portobello, has been awarded an Arts and Culture Trust Award for Excellence in Opera.
The Award was presented at a luncheon hosted by the Arts and Culture Trust on 6 November at the glamorous Michelangelo Hotel in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. Isango Portobello company artistic director Mark Dornford-May and company member Zamile Gantana were present to accept the award on behalf of Isango Portobello.
“It is great for our work to be recognised at home after so many international achievements,” said Dornford-May.
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Awards are awarded annually in recognition and celebration of excellence in South African arts, culture and creativity. This year, the public could nominate South African, mid-career arts – and culture practitioners for seven ACT Excellence Awards and three Lifetime Awards in the disciplines of craft, dance, design, fashion, heritage, literature and opera.
Nominations for the Excellence Awards had to be supported by a description of the positive impact of the nominee’s contribution, providing evidence of consistent excellence. The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges.
“The recipients have all made creative contributions of outstanding significance in their chosen disciplines and their work has shaped the arts and cultural landscape,” said ACT chairperson Brenda Devar.
Isango Portobello has specialised in re-imagining classics from the Western theatre canon, finding a new context for the stories within an African setting, and creating new work that is relevant to the heritage of South Africa. Recent productions include THE MYSTERIES - YIIMIMANGALISO, A CHRISTMAS CAROL - IKRISMAS KHEROL and THE MAGIC FLUTE - IMPEMPE YOMLINGO.
Isango Portobello was formed and is led by producer Eric Abraham, director Mark Dornford-May and singer Pauline Malefane. The company predominantly draws performers from across the townships surrounding the city of Cape Town.
“I am delighted that the company is receiving recognition locally, I truly believe that Isango Portobello has much to offer South Africa and its audiences,” acknowledged Abraham.
Isango Portobello’s first production, THE MAGIC FLUTE - IMPEMPE YOMLINGO, which features Mozart’s score transposed for an orchestra of marimbas, broke box office records when it played in repertoire with A Christmas Carol – Ikrismas Kherol at the Young Vic in London. Together these productions won the Whatsonstage Theatregoers’ Choice Award for Best Off-west End Production. THE MAGIC FLUTE - IMPEMPE YOMLINGO then won an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival when it transferred to the Duke of York’s theatre for a season in the West End.
The 2009 remake of the company’s popular THE MYSTERIES - YIIMIMANGALISO, premiered in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre before the company returned to London’s West End in September where the production received unanimous critical acclaim. This West End season was followed by a sell out season in October of THE MAGIC FLUTE - IMPEMPE YOMLINGO at the world-renowned, 2000 seater, Châtelet Theatre in Paris and a season at the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre in Rotterdam.
The company’s structure embraces artists at all stages of their creative development, allowing senior artists to lead and contribute towards the growth of rising talents. At its heart are the extraordinary and varied musical abilities of its group of performers.