The Color Purple, as a musical, was originally produced on Broadway in 2005, by a team of producers, including Oprah Winfrey and received eleven Tony nominations.  Now, this musical is to be seen on a South African Stage, as directed by Janice Honeyman, and Rowan Bakker as Musical director with an all South African cast.

Enter our competition here, and hope the luck of the purple draw is on your side…

The Color Purple Competition Form

[contact-form-7 id=”7224″ title=”The Color Purple”]

Please Note:

1. Competition Closes on Monday, 5 February 2018.
2. Tickets are only valid for the specified dates and performance times, and my not be upgraded, or exchanged for cash, or for alternate performances.
3. The prize comprises of two tickets per Price Winner.
4. No-Shows will not receive replacement tickets.
5. By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions.
6. Excess entries may cause your email to be seen as spam.

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In August 2016, director Janice Honeyman, executive producer Bernard Jay and musical director Rowan Bakker embarked on a search for the two women who would be chosen to play the lead roles of Celie and Shug Avery in the Tony Award winning musical The Color Purple, to be staged for the first time in South Africa in 2018 and with an all-South African cast.

After gruelling auditions in Cape Town, Pretoria and Joburg of over 250 performers, the team finally found South Africa’s answers for the two currently most coveted female roles in musical theatre. Today, we are excited to reveal the two South African actresses who will be playing these roles in the first major international production of The Color Purple since the Broadway revival.

At a media junket, held at Joburg Theatre, it was revealed that Didintle Khunou will be playing the role of Celie – a caring and gentle girl whose resilience is truly miraculous and ultimately a tribute to humankind – and Molebatsi Lekgetha will be playing the role of Shug Avery – the archetypal blues woman, with her earthy wisdom and singer lifestyle.

Didintle Khunou, 25, is a Wits School of Arts graduate, having obtained a BA Honours Degree in Dramatic Arts. She has made many television appearances, the most recent being the second season of SABC2’s popular Sotho drama series Mamello, directed by SAFTA award-winning director Zuko Nodada.

Born and raised in Pretoria, Molebatsi Lekgetha, 33, began exploring her talent as a performer in primary school. Her love and passion for the arts directed her to study and complete a BA (Drama) Degree at the University of Pretoria. She immediately landed a lead role in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Market Theatre, for which she received a Naledi Award Nomination for Best Performance By A Newcomer. .

Didintle and Molebatsi join a talented all South African cast, which features Zane Gillion, Sebe Leotlela (as Nettie), Dolly Louw, Andile Magxaki, Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri (as Harpo), Venolia Manale, Namisa Mdlalose, Phumi Mncayi, Neo Motaung (as Sofia), Tshepo Ncokoane, Thokozani Nzima, Funeka Peppeta, Aubrey Poo (as Mister), Senzesihle Radebe, Lelo Ramasimong, Zolani Shangase, Ayanda Sibisi and Lebo Toko.

The director is Janice Honeyman, musical director Rowan Bakker, production designer Sarah Roberts, lighting designer Mannie Manim and The Color Purple is produced by Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay in association with MNet and 702.

The Color Purple is based upon the 1982 novel written by Alice Walker and the 1985 Warner Bros/Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture, directed by Steven Spielberg. The musical’s book is by Marsha Norman and the music and lyrics are by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. The musical The Color Purple was originally produced on Broadway in 2005 by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and Quincy Jones, receiving eleven 2006 Tony Award nominations. The recent Broadway revival enjoyed tremendous success, boosted by its major Tony Award wins in 2016 and Grammy Award in 2017.

The musical will have preview performances in The Mandela at Joburg Theatre from January 31st 2018, with its official opening night on Sunday February 4th and running until Sunday March 4th 2018. Tickets from R240 are already on sale: telephone 0861 670 670, go online at www.joburgtheatre.com or book in person at the Joburg Theatre box office. Theatre patrons can also book online and pay at selected Pick N Pay stores.

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Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay are pleased to announce the full cast of Janice Honeyman’s Pinocchio, the Pantomime Adventure.

Just to say the name Tobie Cronjé (Geppetto Spoletto) is almost enough to start people laughing. Probably South Africa’s best known comedy actor, he has for nearly five decades been entertaining audiences with his performances in theatre and operettas, film and television and even as a director of various dramas. But, more than anything, Tobie’s name has become almost synonymous with pantomime in South Africa, playing the lead in dozens of these festive season productions throughout much of his career. Tobie received great acclaim for originating the role of the woodcarver Geppetto in the premier production of Janice Honeyman’s Pinocchio in 2009.

South African born André Schwartz (Il Fortunato, the Fox) is one of this country’s leading and best loved entertainers. A multi-faceted and talented performer who is equally at ease in front of a camera, in a recording studio or on stage, André has entertained South African audiences since the age of 14. André has released fifteen albums, many of which received gold status. His leading roles in musical theatre include Abanazar in Janice Honeyman’s pantomime Aladdin (2006), Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music and the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Making her Joburg Theatre pantomime debut is Chi Mhende (Pussy Galore, the Cat), an acclaimed performance and voice artist. Chi has worked extensively in the theatre, having performed in Shakespearean roles in Cape Town and in 2014 was awarded Best Actress at the Durban International Film Festival for her leading role in the feature film Love the One You Love. In July 2015, Chi accepted the role of Wandile Radebe on SABC’s Generations: The Legacy, a role that came with much controversy and chatter, questioning the producers’ casting of a female performer in a male role.

This year’s pantomime at Joburg Theatre sees a return to the age-old tradition of a female ‘principal boy’, when performer Kanyi Nokwe plays the role of Pinocchio. Kanyi is a member of the Nokwe family – now headed by her aunt Tu Nokwe – one of South Africa’s most famous musical families and sometimes called the Jacksons of Africa. Kanyi was born in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, completed her Matric at the National School of The Arts, obtained a diploma in Worship Ministry from Rhema Training Centre in 2011 and portrayed the role of a young Dorothy Masuku in the Market Theatre’s production of Divas of Kofifi.

Ilse Klink (Bella Bouboulina, the Blue Fairy) is a South African actress and singer best known for her role as Vanessa Booysens on SABC3’s Isidingo from 1999 to 2007, for which she won an Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Soapie in 2000. She also starred as Fashion Week CEO Miranda Simons in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Inkaba, from 2012 to 2013. Born in Cape Town, Ilse’s many starring roles in musical theatre include Chicago, Rent, The Full Monty and Mamma Mia!

Garth Collins (Strombolio / The Ringmaster) is probably best known for his role as Granite on the hit television show MTN Gladiators (SABC3). He has been cast in international feature films such as Mercenary for Justice, Red Waters and Berserker – Hells Warrior. Garth also spent three years on the Afrikaans KykNet soapie Villa Rosa, where he played the endearing henchman Blommie. His two major theatre acting credits have been the world premiere of The Quiet Violence of Dreams and Kiss of the Spider Woman. One of Garth’s career highlights was competing in Season 5 of Strictly Come Dancing on SABC2 as one of the celebrity dance contestants. Surprising everyone, he managed to stay in all ten episodes – making it to the semi-final before being eliminated!

Also featured in the all South African cast are (in alphabetical order) Mauritz Badenhorst, Cameron Botha, Jay Hlatshwayo, Saxola Ketshengane, Ben Kgosimore, Sebe Leotlela, Dolly Louw, Andile Magxaki, Noni Mkhonto, Thami Njoko, Chloe Perling, J P Rossouw, Kaylan Sabbadin, Mark Tatham, Grant Towers and Sarah-Ann Van Der Merwe.

2017 celebrates Janice Honeyman’s thirtieth annual festive season pantomime. Pinocchio opens on The Mandela stage of Joburg Theatre on November 12th and runs until December 30th.

Pinocchio is written and directed by Janice Honeyman, with musical direction by Coenraad Rall and choreography by Nicol Sheraton. Timothy Le Roux is resident director and Dale Scheepers is band leader. The pantomime is produced by Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay, in association with MNet, Jacaranda FM and Your Family Magazine.

With a record-breaking 22,000 seats already sold, tickets for Pinocchio from R185 are on sale: telephone 0861 670 670, go online at www.joburgtheatre.com, or book in person at the Joburg Theatre box office. Patrons can also book and pay via the Nedbank app or walk-in at selected Pick ‘n Pay stores (a full list is available at www.webtickets.co.za/pnpoutlets.aspx)– or book on-line and then pay at any Pick ‘n Pay store.

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