Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Launches Mobile Voting App in Cape Town

The annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards has stepped onto the digital stage: for the first time, theatre-goers can use a convenient easy-to-use mobile voting application for the popular People's Choice Award category.

People are encouraged to vote for their favourite 2012 theatre production through this new innovative and easy-to-use digital platform. Participants in the voting stand a chance to win two tickets to the awards ceremony and a dinner for four, paired with Fleur du Cap wines. The dinner will be prepared by a gourmet chef, in the privacy of the winner's home. The winner of the dinner will be notified the week of 11 March 2013.

The People's Choice Award is an opportunity for theatre-goers' direct involvement in the celebration of talent in Western Cape theatre. Newly appointed Panel Chair, Melanie Burke, is very excited about the innovation. "We have an excellent panel of judges for the judged categories, but it is very exciting that the people will have their say in the People's Choice Award. We are embracing the latest communication technology in celebrating excellence in South African theatre and allowing people to vote using the new mobile voting app. The People's Choice Award is very special and also celebrates the development of theatre and the role that the arts play in our lives."

Awards are given in 21 different categories and the judges for the 2012 productions were Africa Melane, Coreen Lloyd, Denise Bester, Dr Beverley Brommert, Dr Gabriel Bothma, Gillian Mitchell, Herman van der Westhuizen, Jill Makram, Len Ashton, Mariana Malan, Marina Griebenow, Peter Tromp, Rone Arendse and Wayne Muller. All voting processes are audited and are overseen by the legal firm Cluver Markotter Inc.

The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards are funded by the Distell Foundation and are an important acknowledgement of South African theatrical excellence, specifically focusing on professional theatre productions staged in the Cape Town Metropole and surrounds, over a period of one calendar year.

"Distell is rooted in and part of the fabric of South Africa," says Vernon de Vries, Distell's Director of Corporate Affairs. "and our commitment to the development of the arts bears testimony to this involvement in our entire society. The Distell Foundation is proud to again host the Fleur du Cap Awards and celebrate excellence in South African theatre. The awards represent a concerted effort to develop the arts across society and to unlock the lifestyle value of involvement in the arts."

The nominees list will be released on 19 February and the winners announced at a star-studded gala event at Artscape in Cape Town on Sunday 17 March 2013 at 18:00.

Those wishing to vote for the People's Choice Award should SMS FDC to 33783, click on the link and vote. Each SMS costs R1,50 (none are free) and terms and conditions apply. Please note this is the only way for the public to vote for the People's Choice Award. Voting closes on 9 March 2013 and the winner of the People's Choice will be announced at the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards gala evening.

A limited number of tickets to the gala event will be available to the public at R150 via Computicket or (021) 421 7695. The ticket price includes complimentary Fleur du Cap wines and canapés. Follow the Awards on Twitter @FDCTheatreAward and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fleur-du-Cap-Theatre-Awards/471728212884667?ref=ts&fref=ts.