Festival Award Winners Announced!
The 2012 Dunedin Fringe Festival ended on Sunday 25 March with an awards ceremony that saw 12 awards given to participating artists. Festival director, Paul Smith, said the awards were an important part of the Festival as they recognised outstanding achievement by Festival artists.
“This year’s Festival has showcased some extra-ordinary work and it is vital that we recognise the talent and the hard work of these artists.”
A team of judges organised by the Festival attended all Festival events. Awards were allocated for each art form category as well as overall awards such as Best of the Fringe.
Mr Smith said the awards were also important for artists who would tour their show to other Festivals in New Zealand and around the world.
“Every year dozens of artists from the Festival take their show to other Festivals. Being able to say you received the Best of Fringe award at the Dunedin Fringe is a great promotional tool for artists and provides confidence for future audiences.”
WINNERS OF THE 2012 DUNEDIN FRINGE FESTIVAL AWARDS
BEST OF FRINGE
Nominees:
- The Fickle Finger of Fate, Kallo Collective (Wellington)
- Made in New Zealand, Footnote Dance (Wellington)
- Hereafter, Free Theatre (Christchurch)
Winner: The Fickle Finger of Fate, Kallo Collective (Wgtn)
Judges Comment: The Fickle Finger of Fate stood out as a highly original work that was exceptionally well realised and utterly compelling.
BEST COMEDY
Nominees:
- Gush: Love and Other Filthy Habits, Penny Ashton & Matthew Harvey (Auckland)
- Impro Showdown, Comedy Intelligence Agency (Dunedin)
- Abby Howells, Polson Higgs Comedy Club (Dunedin)
Winner: Abby Howells, Polson Higgs Comedy Club (Dunedin)
Judges Comment: As a young comedian Abby presented a notable style of comedy that left us wanting more.
BEST DANCE
Nominees:
- Made in New Zealand, Footnote Dance (Wellington)
- Catch-All, Scarified Pigeon (Dunedin)
- Faux Pas, Black Sheep Productions (Auckland)
Winner: Made in New Zealand, Footnote Dance (Wellington)
Judges Comment: Footnote presented a challenging and thought-provoking work of cutting edge dance and outstanding choreography. An incredibly beautiful, moving, powerful work of contemporary dance.
BEST MUSIC
Nominees:
- Song Sale (Dunedin)
- Music to Repel, Pearl With a Girl Earring (Dunedin)
- Adam Page, Festival Club (Wellington)
Winner: Song Sale (Dunedin)
Judges Comment: Song Sale was a unique and challenging concept that excited audiences and resulted in some outstanding performances by the artists involved.
BEST OUTDOOR
Nominees:
- Perky and Fiddle, Het Meubilair (Netherlands)
- The Fire of Life: A Journey to the Unverworld and Back, Firebugs (Dunedin)
- Party Up Large, Artsenta (Dunedin)
Winner: The Fire of Life: A Journey to the Unverworld and Back, Firebugs (Dunedin)
Judges Comment: This large outdoor show made excellent use of a beautiful place to present a highly engaging show that incorporated music, dance and storytelling.
BEST THEATRE
Nominees:
- The Fickle Finger of Fate, The Kallo Collective (Wellington)
- Richard Meros Salutes the Southern Man, Arthur Meek & Geoff Pinfield (Wellington)
- Hereafter, Free Theatre (Christchurch)
Winner: The Fickle Finger of Fate, The Kallo Collective (Wellington)
Judges Comment: Fickle Finger received multiple standing ovations with a mesmerising show where every second was entertainment par excellence.
BEST VISUAL ART
Nominees:
- Transit, Mr Sterile Assembly (Wellington)
- The Blue Oyster Performance Series (Dunedin)
- Concrete Chimera, Alex Lovell-Smith & Emily Hlavac-Green (Dunedin)
Winner: Transit, Mr Sterile Assembly (Wellington)
Judges Comment: Transit transformed a static exhibition into a thoughtful and entertaining event that really brought the work to life.
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Nominees:
- The Fickle Finger of Fate, Kallo Collective (Wellington)
- Cabaret Botannica, Talking House (Dunedin)
- Piccolo Cor (Dunedin)
- Perky and Fiddle, Het Meubilair (Netherlands)
Winner: Cabaret Botanica, Talking House (Dunedin)
Judges Comment: A highly unique concept event, Cabaret Botannica was beautifully realised with outstanding costumes and an all-encompassing atmosphere.
BEST NEWCOMER
Nominees:
- Lizzie Hewitt in Catch All (Dunedin)
- Abbey Howells in the Polson Higgs Comedy Club (Dunedin)
- Swaroopa Unni in Ananda - the Dance of Joy (Dunedin)
Winner: Lizzie Hewitt for Catch-All (Dunedin)
Judges Comment: As the creative director and choreographer of Scarified Pigeon Dance Theatre, Lizzie presented a charming and personal work of contemporary dance. We can’t wait to see more from her.
MOST ORIGINAL CONCEPT
Nominees:
- Perky and Fiddle, Het Meubilair (Netherlands)
- Canker, Audrey Baldwin (Christchurch)
- Music to Repel, Pearl With a Girl Earring (Dunedin)
Winner: Canker, Audrey Baldwin (Christchurch)
Judges Comment: Canker was a technical and physical challenge that caught the public imagination.
STAND OUT PERFORMER
Nominees:
- Arthur Meek in Richard Meros Salutes the Southern Man (Wellington)
- George Parker in Hereafter, Free Theatre (Christchurch)
- Thom Monkton in The Fickle Finger of Fate, Kallo Collective (Wellington)
- Swaroopa Unni in Aananda - The Dance of Joy (Dunedin)
- Jen McArthur in The Fickle Finger of Fate, Kallo Collective (Wellington)
- Heather Fletcher in Goodnight Irene, Possum Productions (Blackball)
Winner: Thom Monkton in The Fickle Finger of Fate, Kallo Collective (Wellington)
Judges Comment: Thom Monkton’s performance was hilarious and physically demanding. A virtuso performance.
GET TO THE ADELAIDE FRINGE AWARD
The winner of this award receives free registration for the 2013 Adelaide Fringe Festival valued at $400 AU.
Nominees:
- Hereafter, Free Theatre (Christchurch)
- The Fickle Finger of Fate, Kallo Collective (Wellington)
- Gush: Love and Other Filthy Habits, Penny Ashton & Matthew Harvey (Auckland)
Winner: Hereafter, Free Theatre (Christchurch)
Judges Comment: This bold and challenging work is compelling theatre of the highest calibre.
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