Winners of the Cape Town City Ballet Awards 2014 Announced

The prestigious Cape Town City Ballet Awards for 2014 were announced on Saturday 22 November at the Artscape Opera House. The awards ceremony followed the final performance of the company's latest production, GALA OCCASION. Invited guests, members of Friends of Cape Town City Ballet and the company were welcomed by master of ceremonies, Keith Mackintosh and chairman of the CTCB board, Henry Sudwarts in celebration of the company's outstanding dance achievements.

2014 has been a festive year for CTCB, celebrating its 80th anniversary with an array of performances that wowed audiences and critics alike while giving dancers in the company the opportunity to display their skills in a variety of top productions such as LES SYLPHIDES, THE FIREBIRD, SWAN LAKE, THUMBELINA and SPRING & FALL.

In the category for Most Promising Newcomer, the award went to Conrad Nusser who is currently an artist at Cape Town City Ballet. The award was presented to him by Lady Sally Graaff.

The Geoffrey Nieman and Brian van Rheede Award, which recognises a particularly outstanding contribution by a member of the company during the year, was received by senior principal dancer, Thomas Thorne, for his performance in the John Neumeier ballet, SPRING & FALL.

The main awards of the evening, the Balletomanes Awards for Best Female and Male Dancer, were presented to the winners by CTCB board member, Percy Tucker. In the category for Best Female Dancer the award was shared by senior principal dancer, Laura Bösenberg and soloist, Mami Fujii. In the category for Best Male Dancer the award went to senior soloist, Daniel Szybkowski.

In closing, Sheila Camerer, patron of the Cape Town City Ballet, applauded the extraordinary achievements of the company and recognised Prof Elizabeth Triegaardt for her role in the company's success.

Fans of Cape Town City Ballet can look forward to seeing their favourite dancers performing in the company's upcoming festive season production, CINDERELLA, which opens at the Artscape Theatre on 19 December and runs until 11 January. Tickets at R120 and R150 are available from Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695. For the annual Fairy Parade matinee on 24 December, tickets are R160 throughout.