Who made it to the hall of fame in theatre?
2008 had its theatre moments. But unlike other performing arts that had awards (like PAM Awards and Movie Awards), theatre was not rewarded.<b>Emmanuel Ssejjengo</b> brings you the highlights that were worth recognising.
2008 had its theatre moments. But unlike other performing arts that had awards (like PAM Awards and Movie Awards), theatre was not rewarded.Emmanuel Ssejjengo brings you the highlights that were worth recognising.
Best play
The Pulitzer-nominated play Butterflies of Uganda finally reached the National Theatre. The production, lighting and casting were spot-on. Akanabuddo, written by Charles Ssenkubuge and staged by the ALL Stars at Bat Valley, was in high contention for this prize. It registered with the audience partly because of its topicality of the then rampant school fires.
Best musical
The best was Shakespeare’s Othello, presented by Taibah Schools. I am biased towards pantomimes but KADS’ Robin Hood in Mabira comes second. Comparing the two to Diamonds’ Ensemble’s Akatinko is making a joke of the category, although Kato Lubwama defined it as a musical instead of a music concert in a theatre.
Best original score
For many years, Bakayimbira Dramactors have deserved this. But the group has fallen below par. It then goes to Pereketya, that had a cast that included seniors from Afri-talent, Bakayimbira Dramactors and Diamonds’ Ensemble.
Best revival
Agony and Ecstasy by the Ebonies followed in the footsteps of Irving Stone’s Agony and the Ecstasy. Its HIV/AIDS theme and costume was the only reason that kept me watching The Ebonies. Pereketya by the All Stars had full houses of varying ages, because of the star-studded cast.
Best leading actor
Many of the regular stars came close but this recognition ends up with Dixon Zizinga. He has been consistent with Theatre Factory’s Comedy Nite. He has earned the mark as the outsider in a largely corporate outfit. He is a master of improvisation and had a good show during Abassa Nabassa by Christopher Mukiibi and the Theatrikos. He beats Abbey Mukiibi, Kato Lubwama and Benon Kibuuka.
Best leading actress
Theatre Factory’s Veronica Namanda became the group’s face because of her acting skills. Her improvisation is good and she has refrained from the typecast of a quarrelsome slum woman, which is a mark of a good actress.
Best performance by a featured actress
Leila Kalanzi has largely been a leading actress with Bakayimbira Dramactors. But this year, she paid for her kyeyo sojourn. On her return, she had lost the leading role. But her performance in Olwendo lwa Tendo at Theatre La Bonita was ingenious.
Best direction of a play
The emphasis on props last year made this lukewarm in the area of direction. But Charles Ssenkubuge was good in his direction of King’s College Budo in Sheridan’s School for Scandal. Abbey Mukiibi also took a barely known cast in Essokomezi and presented it as Afri-talent. That the group hit beyond average makes him stand out.
Best choreography
Michael Kasaija choreographed for Kombat Entertainment in the dance play, Heartless Desire. The fusion of contemporary, street dance, salsa and African traditional gave us variety.
However, that was too much for one play. It was Keiga Dance Company’s Jonas Byaruhanga who was right on focus in Scars of Innocence at Nakasero Primary School.
Best scenic design of a play
I would recommend that other groups learn from the Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC) drama team’s Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames. Although the theme is tired, the heavenly scenes alongside devilish acts were divine.
Best costume design
Theatre Factory got a bigger wardrobe. The Ebonies stood out with the costume of Agony and Ecstasy.
Best lighting design
The KPC drama team’s Madness is Coming bordered on the motif of Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames, but it stood out for its lighting.
Debut of the year
Kombat Entertainment joined theatre and set up new artistry with Heartless Desire, a dance play that relied on mime. If the Super Squad plans to return, it should first go back to the drawing board.
Best New Actress
This goes to Vivian Namyalo of Diamonds’ Ensemble. She came without any pomp. It was her expression that made her impressive. Although she was hospitalised towards the end of the year before her name could sink in, many still remember her as “that girlâ€.
Best new actor
In theatre-going lingua, there is someone called President Museveni. And that is Herbert Ssegujja who mimics the President to the dot. He featured at Theatre Factory’s Grand Comedy Shows.
Lifetime achievement
The Egyptian saying, “To speak of the dead is to make them live once againâ€, comes true here. Theatre lost the great actor, director and playwright Winkle Rutamirika.
He remains a shining star who contributed to the radio drama on Radio Uganda in the 1980s and 1990s and the Abafrika Entertainment dramas until his death. Since we still talk about him, we make him live again so his soul is not resting but working towards inspiring many.
Best play
The Pulitzer-nominated play Butterflies of Uganda finally reached the National Theatre. The production, lighting and casting were spot-on. Akanabuddo, written by Charles Ssenkubuge and staged by the ALL Stars at Bat Valley, was in high contention for this prize. It registered with the audience partly because of its topicality of the then rampant school fires.
Best musical
The best was Shakespeare’s Othello, presented by Taibah Schools. I am biased towards pantomimes but KADS’ Robin Hood in Mabira comes second. Comparing the two to Diamonds’ Ensemble’s Akatinko is making a joke of the category, although Kato Lubwama defined it as a musical instead of a music concert in a theatre.
Best original score
For many years, Bakayimbira Dramactors have deserved this. But the group has fallen below par. It then goes to Pereketya, that had a cast that included seniors from Afri-talent, Bakayimbira Dramactors and Diamonds’ Ensemble.
Best revival
Agony and Ecstasy by the Ebonies followed in the footsteps of Irving Stone’s Agony and the Ecstasy. Its HIV/AIDS theme and costume was the only reason that kept me watching The Ebonies. Pereketya by the All Stars had full houses of varying ages, because of the star-studded cast.
Best leading actor
Many of the regular stars came close but this recognition ends up with Dixon Zizinga. He has been consistent with Theatre Factory’s Comedy Nite. He has earned the mark as the outsider in a largely corporate outfit. He is a master of improvisation and had a good show during Abassa Nabassa by Christopher Mukiibi and the Theatrikos. He beats Abbey Mukiibi, Kato Lubwama and Benon Kibuuka.
Best leading actress
Theatre Factory’s Veronica Namanda became the group’s face because of her acting skills. Her improvisation is good and she has refrained from the typecast of a quarrelsome slum woman, which is a mark of a good actress.
Best performance by a featured actress
Leila Kalanzi has largely been a leading actress with Bakayimbira Dramactors. But this year, she paid for her kyeyo sojourn. On her return, she had lost the leading role. But her performance in Olwendo lwa Tendo at Theatre La Bonita was ingenious.
Best direction of a play
The emphasis on props last year made this lukewarm in the area of direction. But Charles Ssenkubuge was good in his direction of King’s College Budo in Sheridan’s School for Scandal. Abbey Mukiibi also took a barely known cast in Essokomezi and presented it as Afri-talent. That the group hit beyond average makes him stand out.
Best choreography
Michael Kasaija choreographed for Kombat Entertainment in the dance play, Heartless Desire. The fusion of contemporary, street dance, salsa and African traditional gave us variety.
However, that was too much for one play. It was Keiga Dance Company’s Jonas Byaruhanga who was right on focus in Scars of Innocence at Nakasero Primary School.
Best scenic design of a play
I would recommend that other groups learn from the Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC) drama team’s Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames. Although the theme is tired, the heavenly scenes alongside devilish acts were divine.
Best costume design
Theatre Factory got a bigger wardrobe. The Ebonies stood out with the costume of Agony and Ecstasy.
Best lighting design
The KPC drama team’s Madness is Coming bordered on the motif of Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames, but it stood out for its lighting.
Debut of the year
Kombat Entertainment joined theatre and set up new artistry with Heartless Desire, a dance play that relied on mime. If the Super Squad plans to return, it should first go back to the drawing board.
Best New Actress
This goes to Vivian Namyalo of Diamonds’ Ensemble. She came without any pomp. It was her expression that made her impressive. Although she was hospitalised towards the end of the year before her name could sink in, many still remember her as “that girlâ€.
Best new actor
In theatre-going lingua, there is someone called President Museveni. And that is Herbert Ssegujja who mimics the President to the dot. He featured at Theatre Factory’s Grand Comedy Shows.
Lifetime achievement
The Egyptian saying, “To speak of the dead is to make them live once againâ€, comes true here. Theatre lost the great actor, director and playwright Winkle Rutamirika.
He remains a shining star who contributed to the radio drama on Radio Uganda in the 1980s and 1990s and the Abafrika Entertainment dramas until his death. Since we still talk about him, we make him live again so his soul is not resting but working towards inspiring many.