Milnerton Players landed 21 nominations at this year’s Cape Amateur Theatre Awards (CATAs).
Last year, the theatre company only produced three productions due to maintenance work at the Playhouse, but it still managed 14 nominations, winning two awards, including Best Set.
In 2017 it got 20 nominations and seven awards.
This year, nominated productions are Nunsense, Miracle on South Division Street, Dangerous Obsession and The Christmas Spirit.
Beryl Eichenberger, of Milnerton Players, said the 2018 productions from all the Cape amateur theatre societies had been of a very high standard so competition was fierce.
“However, without fail, it is the prestige of being nominated that is noted when performance or technical excellence has caught the eye of the very discerning and experienced adjudicators,” she said.
Petra Baker has been nominated in the Best Actress category for her role in Miracle on South Division Street.
“I feel honoured to be nominated for the Cata,” she said.
“I was very fortunate to make this contribution to the theatre landscape. Like Stella Adler said: ‘Life beats you down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one.’
“That’s why theatre is so pivotal in society – it works therapeutically as a catharsis for both artist and audience.”
Barry Altwig won the award for Best Set in the production, ART, at last year’s ceremony and was nominated in the same category this time around.
“It is such a feather in one’s cap to be acknowledged by one’s peers, especially for two sets in the same year by the Cata panel. It’s so gratifying and very exciting,” he said.
The Catas are held at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg on Monday February 25. Seats are R80 per head, which includes a finger buffet and the evening’s entertainment.
Bookings for guests and supporters can only be made from Friday February 8 at 021 788 1898 or bookings@
masquetheatre.co.za