Cry, laugh at Naledi Awards

THE 2011 Naledi Theatre Awards was not something to savour this year.

But, for the love of entertainment, couldn't the organisers have found a more spacious venue than the small foyer of Gold Reef City Casino?

This time around more prizes were offered as part of recognising the artists who make us laugh, cry and look at ourselves in a new light.

The presenters clearly took time to prepare for the night and they also looked stunning and elegant.

Maggie Benedict, who plays Akhona in Generations, was "fly" and kept one wondering if the Elle or Vogue hacks had a fashion shoot somewhere downstairs.

"I'm enjoying every moment this evening, it is a little crowded but still great," she said.

She was with Lebo Toko from the musical Dreamgirls, whom I almost confused with Bruno Mars because of the serious hairdo. He didn't seem to mind when he didn't get the Best Performance by a Newcomer award. That went to Bjorn Blignaut for Dreamgirls.

Sello Maake ka-Ncube, aka Daniel Nyathi of Scandal, and singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka were really well-groomed .