As Idols SA Season 15 auditions drew to an end in Joburg on Sunday, the 86 recipients of Golden Tickets are gearing up for the pressure cooker that is Theatre Week.
This is, after all, the next step to separating the pretenders from the contenders vying for the grand title.
And Cape Town stands strong with 16 talents through to the next round of the competition.
Some changes have been introduced, including Theatre Week being held at the new Urban Brew Studios in Joburg.
Viewers will be introduced to the new digs on Sunday.
But the Daily Voice got front row seats as the Idols hopefuls went head to head during a recording of the Theatre Week Audition in March.
In spite of a strong showing at Idols, judge Randall Abrahams isn’t convinced Cape Town can bag the bragging rights again.
“Cape Town is very strong but I guess the question, in the final analysis, is whether someone from Cape Town - like in the case of Paxton - is going to win again.
“I think the competition has always been tough but I think this year Cape Town performers will be given a run for their money,” Randall said.
The Kaapse contenders are Oratile Gaobodiwe, Amanda Mtambo, Luyolo Yiba, Thandokazi Goduka, Likhona Langa, Lance Florence, Wanda Gqiyaza, Serrano Leedenberh, Itumeleng Hoffman, Xola Toto, Nokubonga Fatman, Craig Jordaan, Nobali Cele, Lucia Mbo, Zia Fielies and Louise Nicholls.
Idols SA season 15 is on Mzansi Magic, DStv Channel 161 on Sundays at 5.30pm.