Fugard Theatre Company Awarded Top Arts Honour

Isango Portobello awarded top arts honour from France on the eve of The Fugard opening

Isango Portobello Theatre Company, who open their new theatre-home The Fugard with a gala event on Friday 12 February, were last night presented with the prestigious Globes de Cristal Award for Opera for The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo.

The Globes de Cristal awards - equivalent to the American Tony awards - are held annually in Paris, and are the main arts and culture awards of France.

The award recognises the company’s sell-out season at the historic Théâtre de Châtelet, where they received standing ovations every night from the 2 000-strong audience.

It is a major achievement for the South African theatre company to have won this prominent international award. “To win this prestigious award is a great honour,” said Pauline Malefane, co-founder and musical director of Isango Portobello.

Malefane has also been nominated for a Fleur de Cap Award for Best Performance in a Musical for her role as Deus / Jesus in The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso.

Mannie Manim, who joined The Fugard Theatre team at the beginning of 2010, has two nominations in the category of Best Lighting Design.

The winners will be announced on 21 March at The Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.

Isango Portobello will perform The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo on Friday evening at the gala opening of The Fugard.

Minister Trevor Manuel - patron of Isango Portobello - and founding producer Eric Abraham will host the opening, while Athol Fugard himself will officially open the theatre.

The opening season of The Fugard theatre will see the Isango Portobello Company perform the Olivier, and now Globes de Cristal, Award-winning The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo in repertoire with their internationally acclaimed production The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso.

In March The Fugard will then host the world première of Athol Fugard’s new play The Train Driver, to be directed by Athol himself.

For more information visit www.thefugard.com or phone +27 (0)21 461 4554.