KZN GAY PLAY WINS 2 AWARDS

A gay play written and performed by the Gay & Lesbian Network’s theatre group has won two awards at the South African National Community Theatre Association (SANCTA) festival.

This was the first time that the Thespian Club drama group from Pietermarizburg participated in a festival. The event took place in Secunda, Mpumalanga at the end of last month.

The play, titled Pink Mynah Support Group, was nominated for five awards and took home the prize for best foyer display and the adjudicators special merit award.

There were 14 plays at the festival with participants coming from Mpumalanga and Gauteng. The Gay & Lesbian Network’s performers were the only representatives from KwaZulu-Natal.

The play was performed on the final night and received a standing ovation from the audience.

“This play is breaking new ground and is flipping overdue. Lovely staging, fabulous production. We suggest the play be taken forward to other parts of South Africa, especially to schools,” said adjudicators Hazel Bilsland-Brown and Renos Nicos Spanoudes.

Cast member Ntsiki Dlamini and Veron Moodley, Safe Spaces Coordinator, accepted the awards on behalf of the Network.

“We are so proud of our achievements. Our message really got across and we are excited about the positive responses,” said Dlamini.