Publications
Partners
Cape Town – This year's Fleur du Cap theatre awards had a dramatic twist when it came to light that wrong winners were mistakenly announced in two categories.
At the event, prizes are awarded for performances on theatre stages in the Western Cape.
Ilse Klink was awarded the prize for best performance in a musical for her role in Mamma Mia!
Some of the judges had questions after the awards ceremony and the votes were checked again.
James Borthwick was the actual winner for his role in Evita.
Unforgivable
"When I heard what it was about, I thought it was a joke," said Klink. "I cried about it on Tuesday and felt down on Wednesday."
"How could they make a mistake like that? They should have made 100% sure of their facts. These are prestigious awards. The mistake is almost unforgivable. Someone didn't do their job properly. I am distressed. But congratulations to James Borthwick…"
Borthwick wouldn't comment.
James Cairns received the prize for best performance in Dirt, a one-man show, but Antoinette Kellermann was the winner for her award-winning role in As die Broek Pas.
"It is incredible to receive the award," said Kellermann. "I am glad they did the right thing when they realised the mistake. I feel honoured."
Cairns was by late Wednesday night not available for comment.
Integrity
At a media conference, Irma Albers of Distell, Conrad Sidego, chairperson of the Fleur du Cap awards and Vernon de Vries, Distell's chief manager of corporate affairs, apologised for the mistake.
De Vries said the prizes (each worth R15 000 and a medal) were given to the winners as soon as possible. Cairns and Klink will keep the prize money they received.
Representatives of Fleur du Cap and Distell personally gave the news to the people involved.
De Vries said it was most important to them to protect Cairns and Klink's integrity as artists and to limit the damage as much as possible. "The truth had to be told, no matter how painful."
"We try to handle it as humanely possible. The mistake was ours, not theirs," said Sidego. He also confirmed that the awards systems would be investigated.
At the event, prizes are awarded for performances on theatre stages in the Western Cape.
Ilse Klink was awarded the prize for best performance in a musical for her role in Mamma Mia!
Some of the judges had questions after the awards ceremony and the votes were checked again.
James Borthwick was the actual winner for his role in Evita.
Unforgivable
"When I heard what it was about, I thought it was a joke," said Klink. "I cried about it on Tuesday and felt down on Wednesday."
"How could they make a mistake like that? They should have made 100% sure of their facts. These are prestigious awards. The mistake is almost unforgivable. Someone didn't do their job properly. I am distressed. But congratulations to James Borthwick…"
Borthwick wouldn't comment.
James Cairns received the prize for best performance in Dirt, a one-man show, but Antoinette Kellermann was the winner for her award-winning role in As die Broek Pas.
"It is incredible to receive the award," said Kellermann. "I am glad they did the right thing when they realised the mistake. I feel honoured."
Cairns was by late Wednesday night not available for comment.
Integrity
At a media conference, Irma Albers of Distell, Conrad Sidego, chairperson of the Fleur du Cap awards and Vernon de Vries, Distell's chief manager of corporate affairs, apologised for the mistake.
De Vries said the prizes (each worth R15 000 and a medal) were given to the winners as soon as possible. Cairns and Klink will keep the prize money they received.
Representatives of Fleur du Cap and Distell personally gave the news to the people involved.
De Vries said it was most important to them to protect Cairns and Klink's integrity as artists and to limit the damage as much as possible. "The truth had to be told, no matter how painful."
"We try to handle it as humanely possible. The mistake was ours, not theirs," said Sidego. He also confirmed that the awards systems would be investigated.
