The Tony Awards in America is like the Oscars or Grammys – but for theatre. It’s been an annual event for the last six decades and is pretty much the definitive voice in what’s cutting edge theatre-wise today. Cape Town’s Handspring Puppet Company was just named a special Tony award winner for this year!

The 30-year-old Handspring Puppet Company, which created the life-size and life-like cane-and-plywood horse puppets for War Horse, was named a special Tony award winner on Tuesday. War Horse also received a best play nomination. The artistic creations include the galloping, charging horses on the stage – life-size puppets strong enough for men to ride, their flanks, hides, and sinews built of steel, leather, and aircraft cables. The company has worked with leading South African artists, including painter, filmmaker and director William Kentridge. One of their earliest collaborations, 1992’s Woyzeck on the Highveld, based on German playwright Georg Buchner’s unfinished 19th century masterpiece, is also currently on tour.

This is but one example from a long list of recent international competitions featuring a strong South African presence. It has brought me to the conclusion that we are pretty awesome.

[Source: Times Live]