Oudtshoorn-stories, as depicted in the KKNK debut drama Droomkraan Kronieke in 2023, was the big winner at the 14th kykNET Fiëstas.
These awards were presented on Thursday 7 March during a prestigious event at The Lookout in Cape Town.
Droomkraan Kronieke was a debut production in 2023 at the KKNK, sponsored by Absa, followed by a run at the Toyota US Woordfees in Stellenbosch. This production is a product of the KKNK’s Karoo Kaarte project and was crowned as Best Festival Production, Best Direction (Neil Coppen, Craig Leo, and Carlo Daniels) and Best Ensemble.
The childhood memories of Oudtshoorn residents were depicted in this magical play with physical theatre, song, dance, and shadow puppetry. The Karoo Kaarte research team made use of an array of Klein Karoo childhood stories and – memories, that were also included in this physical theatre production.
Karoo Kaarte is a groundbreaking multidisciplinary arts programme that comes to life in Oudtshoorn since 2021. The core of this multi-award-winning community arts project is centred around Oudtshoorn stories that have not been documented before and creates a platform that brings local talent to the fore. The Karoo Kaarte team presents a programme at this year’s KKNK that includes two visual arts exhibitions, a graphic novel, a mural, walking tours guided by the Karoo Kaarte app and a brand-new site-specific theatre production, Die Swartmerrie. Amongst others Theo Witbooi and Chantell Phillipus, part of the Droomkraan Kronieke ensemble, can be seen in this site-specific theatre production.
Other KKNK productions awarded with kykNET Fiëstas were Eben Genis (Best Supporting Actor for Mirakel), Lynthia Julius and Veronique Jephtas for My kroon se krank (Best Newly Written Script, Adaptation or Translation), David Kramer’s Vêr in die wêreld Kittie (Best Music Driven Production: Theatre) and Kerscha Titus for her role in Jantjies and the Pearls (Best Emerging Artist).
Erik Dippenaar and Ralitza Macheva were awarded for Best Performance in Classical Music for Variations, which made its debut at Klein Karoo Klassique, Oudtshoorn’s festival of classical music, art, books, food, and wine, in 2023.
Festivalgoers also have an opportunity to see three more Fiësta awarded productions from other festivals from 23 to 31 March at this year’s KKNK, sponsored by Absa, in Oudtshoorn. Braam en die engel was awarded Best Children’s or Educational Theatre (a Momentum Beleggings Aardklop debut), whilst Frank Opperman received the Fiësta for Best Actor for his role in Reünie (debut at Innnibos) and Antoinette Kellermann was awarded as Best Supporting Actress for her role in Philip Rademeyer’s Goed wat wag op te gebeur (a Momentum Bellegings Aardklop debut).
Each of the nominees, as well as the Fiësta adjudicators, receive a linocut artwork from linomaster Theo Paul Vorster this year. Vorster’s work can also be seen at the KKNK this year in his solo exhibition, Dier-baar. He also presents a crash course in linocutting during the festival.
KKNK 2024 is sponsored by Absa, Checkers, Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds, NATi, Netwerk24, kykNET, ATKV, Oudtshoorn Municipality and the Western Cape Government.
The complete festival programme is available online at www.kknk.co.za and tickets are available at Webtickets. For more information, keep an eye on the KKNK’s social media platforms, visit the website or contact 044 203 8600, send an email to info@kknk.co.za or a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
Photos attached: Oudtshoorn-stories, as depicted in the KKNK debut drama Droomkraan Kronieke in 2023, was the big winner at the 14th kykNET Fiëstas.
