Two Stellenbosch University (SU) Wordfest drama productions, i.e. productions developed with the financial assistance of and in collaboration with the SU Wordfest, are in the lead for this year's Kanna nominations. The Kannas, informally known as the Klein Karoo Oscars, are awarded annually for outstanding work produced at a particular year's Little Karoo National Arts Festival (usually referred to by its Afrikaans abbreviation KKNK, Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees).

The venue-specific drama Ons is almal freaks hier ('We are All Freaks Here'), a co-production by the Wordfest and Kunste Onbeperk (Arts Unlimited), took the lead during the recent KKNK at Oudtshoorn with six nominations for Kanna prizes. Ons is almal freaks hier, written by Hertzog Prize winner Ingrid Winterbach, dealing with the life of Saartjie Baartman, was nominated for best theatre production, best director (Nicole Holm), best male supporting actor (Albert Pretorius), best actress (Lee-Ann van Rooi), best female supporting actor (Kay Smith), and best theatre design (Nicole Holm and Birrie le Roux).

Another SU Wordfest drama production, the one woman show Hierdie lewe ('This Life'), an adaptation by Saartjie Botha of Karel Schoeman's novel by the same name, was nominated in four categories – for best theatre production, best director (Wolf Britz), best actress (Antoinette Kellermann), and best theatre design (Wolf Britz).

On older SU Wordfest production also received special recognition. Nêrens, Noord-Kaap ('Nowhere, Northern Cape') was nominated for best theatre production, best director (Nico Scheepers), and best actor (Geon Nel and De Klerk Oelofse).

Afrika my verlange / Afrique mon désir ('Africa my Desire'), Laurinda Hofmeyr's setting to music of poems in French, Afrikaans and other African languages, accompanied by Diek Grobler's animations, was nominated in the category for best music production. Grobler's animation art was also nominated for best contribution to visual art at the festival. This production directed by David Kramer was developed by the SU Wordfest in collaboration with the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATi) and Kunste Onbeperk.

Among the youngsters excelling, were students from the SU's drama department. Nominated in the category for best upcoming artist is honours student Du Toit Albertze, as well as the ensemble of Die Nuwe Republiek van die Nuwe Nuwe Suid-Afrika ('The New Republic of the New New South Africa'), who are all SU students. Albertze's Die meermin-kompleks ('The Mermaid Complex') was nominated for best text, putting him among established playwrights competing for the prize.

Click here (http://www.litnet.co.za/kknk-2018-plekspesifieke-produksie-neem-voortou-met-ses-kanna-benoemings/) for the full list of nominees.

The Kannas will be presented in the Cape on 14 May.

Picture: Scenes from the drama production Ons is almal freaks hier. Left is Lee-Ann van Rooi and right are  Albert Pretorius with Kay Smith. Photographer:  Retha Ferguson​