With thanks to Pieter Toerien Productions, we are giving away 10 sets of tickets to Equus, currently running at the Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre.

When teenager Alan Strang’s pathological fascination leads him to brutally blind six horses in a Hampshire stable, psychiatrist Dr. Martin Dysart is tasked with uncovering the motive behind the boy’s violent act. As Dysart delves into Alan’s world of twisted spirituality, passion and sexuality, he begins to question his own sanity and motivations in a world driven by reckless consumerism.

Equus Competition is now closed.

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on Friday, 19 May 2019.
2. Tickets are only valid for the specified dates and performance times.
3. Seat allocations are up to the discretion of the promoters.
4. Tickets may not be upgraded, or exchanged for cash, or for alternate performances.
5. The prize comprises of two tickets per prize winner.
6. No-Shows will not receive replacement tickets.
7. By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions.
8. Prizes does not include accommodation and / or travel to and from the event.
9. Winners will be notified by mail.
10. One Entry per Email Address will be entered into the draw

The post Win Tickets to Equus appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by Louw Mulder

During the last 12 odd years, I have written ample reviews about entertaining theatre shows that effortlessly tell the story, requiring no effort from the patron to understand the subject matter. But this is certainly not the case with Peter Shaffer’s Equus, which I saw this weekend at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre. This play is higher grade, and I was as excited as one would be when experiencing something you never have before.

Equus admittedly turned out to be the best non-musical stage production I have ever experienced. During this tumultuous journey of two acts, I was offended, confused AF, relieved, I felt compassion, anger, even aroused to some degree, which in fact, for lack of a more appropriate term, is a mind-fuck happening right in front of your eyes. I know this description may raise some eyebrows, but not if you were there, realising the powerful grip a production like this can have on your love for Theatre-Magic.

Equus is a psychological thriller, written in 1973. It once more made theatrical headlines in 2007 when it was brought back to the stage in the West End, with Daniel Radcliff, as the young lead. Even though I went into the theatre blind, and totally unaware of the story, nor the depth of the script, I was anxious to see it. For a South African production to go all out, you knew it had to be good, with the full nudity being a huge hype around this play, amongst many other things.

I make no secret about the fact that I am a theatre enthusiast and not an educated theatre expert at all. So during the first act, the degree of the English text, combined with the pace of the story being told, caught up with me as an Afrikaans speaking person. The story, dialogue and actual acting out of the various subjects, were in its own right very overwhelming, so much so that in my attempt to follow the plot, some disconcerting inferences were made, like hints of bestiality, even blasphemy, which is a personal no-go for me. These inferences of mine proved to be wrong.

Being open minded, my friend and I took some time during the interval to quickly read up on Equus. Since English is my second language, I knew there was room for error in my initial understanding of the text. This overview of what the essence of Equus is, shed some light on the play itself, making it much easier for me to enjoy and thrill with the rest of the theatre during act two.

For me, what makes this production by Pieter Toerien, as directed by Fred Abrahamse, the success it deserves to be, is the spot-on casting of its stars. I already mentioned the full-on nudity scenes Equus contains. Having seen several types of nudity acts on stage before, nothing compared to the ones I had experienced during Equus. With the psychological thrills and the very intense nature of the various subjects, I was completely astonished, by the power of theatre again, taking me captive to put me right there where the story cuts to the bone.

Sven Ruygrok plays the role of 17-year old Alan Strang, clearly challenged by certain psychological issues. The climax of the story, so to speak, unfolds during act two, when Strang, totally nude, is seduced by Jill, also completely undressed, which culminated into an on-stage simulated sex scene. In my humble opinion, Ruygrok here reintroduced himself this time around, as an artist, driven by the passion, dedication and commitment of a true stage professional.

I am fully aware that my awe of Ruygrok’s performance may seem exaggerated, but allow me to elaborate. For me, even the thought of being completely naked in front of a full theatre during an opening performance, is something daunting, audacious and typically not within an actor’s comfort zone on stage. The thing I noticed, which was clearly evident and extremely powerful for me, was that Ruygrok was completely in-character. Ruygrok fully surrendered himself to his role, being confronted by all the psychological elements. I experienced his portrayal of a spellbinding emotional breakdown and full-on loss of control, while being totally naked, as the true art form it is supposed to be. I sat there cold, without words, biting on a finger, trying to process the scenes in front of me.

I want to even further and say that Ruygrok demonstrated in true class, what it really means to portray a character no matter the intensity thereof – in this case referring especially to a scene in total nudity, forcing an overwhelming noise of a full theatre’s complete silence. His nudity was just another costume in the story of his character, in pursuit of delivering the perfect conclusion of the production’s riddle. I was captured by his performance in such a way, I had forgotten he was even naked…

It would however be unfair for me to refrain from mentioning the performance of Monique Basson as the Delilah of the storyline, Jill, whose equally naked performance brought the necessary support to Ruygrok’s role, to instill the sense of reality and power of that scene. But who better to affirm support for this daring role of Alan Strang, than world class South African Veteran Stage great, Graham Hopkins. Hopkins plays the psychiatrist, entrusted to get answers from the disturbed boy, showing subtle hints of being somewhat disturbed himself.

For me there was just a chemistry that sparked between Hopkins and Ruygrok, which made it work. Their characters were in constant conflict, compromising tussles and even though some may argue that there was a notable sense of discomfort between these two, it was exactly that, which caused their interacting roles to be as mesmerizing as it was.

Maggie Gericke, Andrew Roux, Marc Goldberg, Cassandra-Tendai Mapanda and Len-Barry Simons completed the rest of the cast, acting as various supporting characters, but mainly as the life within, and bodies of the horses, very incremental to the plot of the story. Initially, I thought that the well-toned bodies, slim, yet sexy sleek physiques of these actors, were used to create, or even emphasize the idea of a sexy theatre play, with the nude sex scene everyone knew was coming. When you get to the bottom of what is indeed happening, you realize that these sex-appealing bodies, and their intimate, luscious interactions with the disturbed young Alan, were the actual core cause, responsible for the psychological riddle that unfolds during Equus.

At the end, Equus, the powerful, yet deep-cutting play, is a stage production, which was made just more spectacular with Marcel Meyer, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Marc Goldberg on Abrahamse’s creative team. Effects, surrounding the fixed set of a stable for the six horses, included effective lighting design, which gave the theatregoer just that additional push into the intended direction to where it should go. Not to mention how the calculated positioning of certain lighting effects added goosebumps to clever choreography of Alan riding his horse, at the end of act one.

With the lights, smoke, simple props and sexy artists, came the masks of horses’ faces, which I think could not have been more mesmeric. Designed in such a way, even the slightest movements and tilting of their faces, could non-verbally tell a tale of its own… No wonder, young Alan became obsessed, psychologically enslaved, and in a way corrupted by these creatures, completely creating some sense of empathy with the audience, for the twisted, and also some scary viewpoints, Alan made known throughout his consultations with Dr. Martin Dysart.

Equus is a theatre play, but in its real definition, a pure piece of art, which means it will by some not be comprehended as intended, appreciated as justified, or even be praised as the magical piece of theatre I got to experience. With so many elements, magical theatre techniques, a story that will leave you cold, and yes, the naked sex scene that turned into the most powerful emotional breakdown you will ever see on a stage, the fact is that you will have to go judge the success of this production, for yourself.

Please be reminded that this Production, is not for the feint hearted and I think that if you are an old-school conservative sceptic, rather stay away, than to be scarred for life.

I have added the link to the Official Synopsis of Equus below, if you feel the need to be informed about this masterpiece, in order for you to enjoy all the theatrical elements of this play, without the unnecessary confusion… lol, like I was confronted with.

Equus will run in Montecasino until 26 May 2019.

[button color=”gray” size=”medium” link=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equus_(play)#Plot_summary” target=”blank” ]Click here for the Synopsis of Equus[/button]

This Review was edited by Genevieve Viera

The post Equus appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Equus stars Graham Hopkins as psychiatrist Dr Martin Dysart and Sven Ruygrok as 17-year-old Alan Strang – a stable boy who has been arrested for blinding six horses with a metal spike.

With its controversial nude scene and simulated sex act, Equus still causes quite a stir amongst theatre goers wherever it is performed around the world. Most recent being a production starring Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe as Alan Strang. Pieter Toerien’s 1985 highly-acclaimed production of Equus at the Alhambra Theatre introduced a young and talented Jeremy Crutchley to an adoring South African public. The role of Dysart has also been played by a glowing list of stars over the years including Anthony Hopkins and Leonard Nimoy.

This gripping new production is directed by Fred Abrahamse.  Abrahamse’s long-time collaborators, Marcel Meyer and Charl-Johan Lingenfelder join the creative team as designer and composer respectively, while celebrated choreographer Marc Goldberg creates specialised movement and choreography for this exciting production.

The cast, along with Graham and Sven, includes Monique Basson, Maggie Gericke, Andrew Roux, Marc Goldberg, Cassandra-Tendai Mapanda and Len-Barry Simons.

When teenager Alan Strang’s pathological fascination leads him to brutally blind six horses in a Hampshire stable, psychiatrist Dr. Martin Dysart is tasked with uncovering the motive behind the boy’s violent act. As Dysart delves into Alan’s world of twisted spirituality, passion and sexuality, he begins to question his own sanity and motivations in a world driven by reckless consumerism.

Equus is a MUST SEE!

Equus

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

26 April – 26 May 2019

Wednesdays – Fridays @ 8pm,

Saturdays @ 4pm & 8pm,

Sundays @ 2:30pm & 6pm

Tickets: R100, R150, R200 & R240 at theatre Box Office (011) 511 1818 and at Computicket.com

The post Equus appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Showmax has released the trailer for The Girl From St Agnes, their first original drama, and the series is now to be seen on their video-streaming service.

https://youtu.be/hkdzg1KYN78

At St Agnes, a prestigious all-girls boarding school in the Midlands, the only saint is in the name. When a popular student is found dead at the base of the old mill, the school is quick to declare the death a tragic accident. But drama teacher Kate Ballard, played by Nina Milner, doesn’t believe it. The more she investigates, the more Kate realises that she didn’t know the dead girl, Lexi Summerveld, as played by Jane DeWet, or the school at all. Behind the imposing walls of St Agnes, Lexi’s killer won’t be the only person exposed…

Here are four reasons to be excited:  

It’s a drama in South African English, for a change!

The Girl From St Agnes is a rare showcase of South Africa’s English-language acting talent.

It’s being distributed internationally! 

In a South African first, the dark drama is being distributed internationally by Red Arrow Studios International.

It’s only eight binge-able episodes.

We love soaps and telenovelas as much as the next South African, but sometimes it’s nice to watch something with a satisfying ending, like finding out who killed Lexi Summerveld and why. The Girl From St Agnes has that formula that the whole world has gone mad for: shorter seasons of extremely binge-able criminal content.

It’s like nothing you’ve seen before on South African TV.

South Africans normally turn to HBO series on Showmax for edgy content, rather than local series, which tend to be a lot more conservative, with nudity and divisive topics generally avoided. But conservative isn’t a word anyone’s going to use for The Girl From St Agnes.

Produced by the multi-award-winning Quizzical Pictures, The Girl From St Agnes is coming first and only to Showmax.

The post Showmax Original Beats all Odds appeared first on Stage and Screen.

The Girl From St Agnes, Showmax’s first original drama, wrapped-up in November 2018 after filming in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and in Johannesburg. The eight-part whodunnit will premiere on Showmax on 31 January 2019.

The first Showmax Original, last year’s light-hearted comedy Tali’s Wedding Diary, had the most successful launch day of any series on Showmax ever, and according to Candice Fangueiro, Showmax’s head of content, this first original production for Showmax in the Drama genre, is a complete change of direction. She said that The Girl From St Agnes is a dark murder mystery that will keep viewers guessing, tapping into the current conversations in South Africa about #metoo and teen sexuality.”

At St Agnes, a prestigious all-girls boarding school in the Midlands, a popular and beautiful student is found dead at the base of the old mill. Fearful of the scandal it might cause, the school is quick to declare the death of Lexi Summerveld a tragic accident.

But drama teacher Kate Ballard doesn’t believe it. On the night of her death, an upset Lexi had been trying to contact her, and Kate had ignored her. Now wracked with guilt, Kate attempts to piece together the terrible truth.

The more she investigates, the more Kate realises that she didn’t know Lexi or the school at all. Behind the imposing walls of St Agnes, Lexi’s killer won’t be the only person exposed…

Newcomer Jane De Wet was handpicked to play Lexi by legendary South African casting director Moonyeenn Lee of Tsotsi, who’s been nominated for two Emmy Awards in the last three years, for The Looming Tower and Roots.

Kate is played by Nina Milner, who modelled for Vogue Germany and at Paris Fashion Week last year and most recently starred in Troy: Fall Of A City as Penthesilea, queen of the Amazons.

Jane and Nina are joined by an impressive supporting cast that includes internationally recognised South African talent like Robert Hobbs, Tyrone Keogh, Tessa Jubber, Karl Thaning, and Shamilla Miller, opposite local favourites like Celeste Khumalo, Richard Lukunku, Zakeeya Patel, Graham Hopkins and three-time SAFTA winner Jerry Mofokeng, not to mention hot new talent like Paige Bonnin and Tristan de Beer.

The Girl From St Agnes is being produced by Quizzical Pictures, winners of the SAFTA for Best Drama for six of the last eight years, as well as a Peabody. Producer Harriet Gavshon, Quizzical Pictures’ managing director, is drawing on her own private school experiences, which sparked the original idea for the show.

Catharine Cooke, who won this year’s Best Director in a TV Drama SAFTA for iNumber Number, co-directed the shoot with Cindy Lee, a commercials director helming her first drama series, having previously worked as the social media director on the Emmy-winning Black Mirror. Double SAFTA winner Gillian Breslin (Umlilo; 4Play: Sex Tips For Girls) is head writer. This makes Girl From St Agnes a rare TV series commissioned, produced, written and directed by women.

Binge all eight episodes first and only on Showmax from 31 January 2019.

The post The Girl From St Agnes appeared first on Stage and Screen.

After much anticipation, the Naledi Theatre Awards is proud to announce the nominees for productions staged during 2016.

The Nominations Reveal was hosted by the Market Theatre and took place on 27 March at the Mannie Manim Theatre amidst great excitement from the theatre industry’s key players.

BEST THEATRE SET DESIGN

Greg King – Suddenly the Storm

Karabo Legoabe – Waiting for Jack

Kayli Elit Smith – Cheers to Sarajevo

Sarah Roberts – iLembe

Saul Radomsky – Bad Jews

Sylvaine Strike – DOP

Wilhelm Disbergen – AS

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Jade Bowers (assisted by Camille Behrens) – Scorched

Floris Louw – Mannequin

Greg King and Shanti Naidoo – Shrek The Musical

Niall Griffin – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Onthatile Matshidiso – Egoli

Sarah Roberts – iLembe

Thando Lobese – TAU

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

Gareth Hewitt Williams – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Hlomohang Mothetho – TAU

Mandla Mtshali – A Raisin in the Sun

Nomvula Molepo – Egoli

Oliver Hauser – Scorched

Thapelo Mokgosi – 6 Characters in Search of an Author

Wesley France – Suddenly the Storm

BEST SOUND DESIGN

Disney Nonyane – 6 Characters in Search of an Author

Emily Adams – I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Gladman Balintulo – iLembe

Lee Brune – Shrek The Musical

Mark Malherbe – Annie

Mark Malherbe – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Richard Smith – Sneeuwitjie

BEST CHILDREN’S PRODUCTION (Supported by ASSITEJ SA) (0 – 12)

Disney’s Peter Pan – People’s Theatre.

Disney’s Junior Aladdin – People’s Theatre.

Khokho’s Treasure – The National Children’s Theatre.

Library Lion – The National Children’s Theatre.

Mr Popper’s Penguins – The National Children’s Theatre.

Ntombi Dreams Big – Alt Eye Productions, Redhill Festival and PopArt

Seussical JNR – People’s Theatre.

BEST PRODUCTION FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES (Supported by ASSITEJ SA) (13 – 17)

Hoopvol – Pit Productions.

Just Antigone – The Movement.

My Japan – Andre Stolz,

Narrative Dreams – Seeds of Water

Shakespeare’s Coriolanus – National Children’s Theatre in ass with Renos Spanoudes

Woza Albert – Market theatre

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A CHILDRENS’ THEATRE PRODUCTION (Supported by ASSITEJ SA)

Gamelihle Bovana – Library Lion

Jovan Muthray – Just Antigone

Mathabo Tlali – Ntombi Dreams Big

Nyakallo Motloung – Just Antigone

Thapelo Sebogodi – Shakespeare’s Coriolanus

Veronique Mensah – Library Lion

Palesa Makhalima – Seussical Jnr

BEST NEWCOMER / BREAKTHROUGH

Aubrey Mogali – Narrative Dreams

Dean-John Smith – A Cock and Bull Story

Edwin van der Walt – A Cock and Bull Story

Daniel Richards – Pay Back The Curry!

Ezbie Sebatsa Moilwa – The Dying Screams of the Moon

Phillru van Achterbergh – Porselein

Wilhelm van der Walt – DOP

BEST ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY

Duane Alexander – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Janine Bennewith – Shrek The Musical

Lennox Sibisi – Umshado – A Marriage of Heritage

Nhlanhla Mahlangu – TAU

Sonia Thandazile Radebe – Sophiatown & Nhlanhla Mahlangu

Weslee Swain Lauder – Saturday Night Fever

Oscar Buthelezi – iLembe

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE / ARRANGEMENT / ADAPTATION

Charl-Johan Lingenfelder – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Dawid Boverhoff – Altyd In My Drome

Eddie Mathiba – Umshado – A Marriage of Heritage

Heidi Edeling & Francois Steyn – Sneeuwitjie

Neo Muyanga – Turned Away and She Was Gone

Warrick Sony & Brendan Jury – Ubu and the Truth Commission

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Arthur Molepo – Sophiatown

Bryan Schimmel – Annie

Dawid Boverhoff – Altyd In My Drome

Heidi Edeling – Sneeuwitjie

Louis Zurnamer – Singin’ In The Rain

Rowan Bakker – Shrek The Musical

Wessel Odendaal – I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

BEST ENSEMBLE

Egoli

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Sophiatown

Sherlock Holmes

6 Characters in Search of an Author

TAU

Tease!

BEST CUTTING EDGE

AS

I See You

I Turned Away   and She Was Gone

Les Cenci: A play about Artaud

Porselein

TAU

The Year of the Bicycle

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Ameera Patel – Scorched

Ashley Carine de Lange – Bad Jews

Barileng Malebye – Sophiatown

Lesedi Job – A Raisin in the Sun

Renate Stuurman – Suddenly the Storm

Tholani ‘Khoni’ Miya – iLembe

Toni Morkel – Tobacco and the Harmful Effects Thereof

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Alesandro Mendes – iLembe

Brandon Auret – The President’s Man

Craig Jackson – Sherlock Holmes

Katlego Letsholonyana – Egoli

Oli Booth – Bad Jews

Tiaan Slabbert – Porselein

Wilhelm van der Walt – DOP

BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY

Jade Bowers – Scorched

John Kani – The Dying Screams of the Moon

Lara Bye – Oskar en die Pienk Tannie

Marthinus Basson – A Cock and Bull Story

Sibusisi Mamba – 6 Characters in Search of an Author

Sylvaine Strike – DOP

Thabiso T. Rammala – TAU

BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL/REVUE

Elizma Badenhorst – I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Nataniël – Mannequin

Neels Clasen – Altyd In My Drome

Paul Warwick Griffin – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Steven Stead – Shrek The Musical

Weslee Swain Lauder – Sneeuwitjie

BEST SUPPORTING/FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/REVUE: FEMALE

Delray Halgryn – Annie

Kiruna-Lind Devar – Saturday Night Fever

LJ Nielson – Saturday Night Fever

Taryn-Lee Hudson – Singing In The Rain

Taryn Sudding – Annie

Tessa Denton – Altyd In My Drome

BEST SUPPORTING/FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/REVUE: MALE

Bongi Mthombeni – Saturday Night Fever

Jacobus van Heerden – Shrek The Musical

Jonathan Roxmouth – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Rory Booth – Shrek The Musical

Stephen Jubber – Annie

Steven van Wyk – Singin’ In The Rain

BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/REVUE: FEMALE

Angela Kilian – Sneeuwitjie

Bethany Dickson – Singin’ In The Rain

Charon Williams Ros – Annie

Jessica Sole – Shrek The Musical

Kate Normington – Robin Hood and the Babes in the wood

Lilla Fleischmann – Annie

BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL/REVUE: MALE

Earl Gregory – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Graham Hopkins – Robin Hood and the Babes in the wood

Grant Almirall – Singin’ In The Rain

Lyle Buxton – Shrek The Musical

Neels Clasen – Annie

Willem Botha – Altyd In My Drome

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: FEMALE

Busisiwe Busi Zofuka – Ubu and the Truth Commission

Busisiwe Nyundu – iLembe

Charmaine Weir-Smith – Suddenly the Storm

Ilse Klink – Scorched

Masasa Lindiwe Mbangeni – The Dying Screams of the Moon

Sandra Prinsloo – Oskar en die Pienk Tannie

Tinarie van Wyk Loots – Plant vir my ‘n Boom André

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY: MALE

André Odendaal – DOP

Andrew Buckland – Tobacco and the Harmful Effects Thereof

Andries Babalo Mbali – iLembe

Desmond Dube – I See You

Lunga Radebe – I See You

Motlatsi Mafatshe – Mooi Street Moves

Mpho Osei-Tutu – Scorched

BEST NEW SOUTH AFRICAN SCRIPT

DOP – Written by Retief Scholtz

I See You – Written by Mongiwekhaya Mthombeni

iLembe – Written by Small Ndaba & Phyllis Klotz

Pay Back The Curry! – Written by Mike van Graan

Sherlock Holmes – Written by Robert Fridjhon & Bronwyn Gottwald

Suddenly the Storm – Paul Slabolepszy,

TAU – Written by Thabiso T. Rammala.

BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

Bad Jews

I See You

Scorched

6 Characters in Search of an Author

Suddenly the Storm

A Raisin’ in the Sun

Ubu and the Truth Commission

BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

Altyd In My Drome

Annie

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Shrek The Musical

Singin’ In The Rain

Umshado – A Marriage of Heritage

The post Naledi Theatre Awards 2017: The Nominees appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Riding through the royal forest of Sherwood on a glorious May morning, you don’t have a care in the world.  Then you hear a bird call, the faint rustling of trees, and suddenly a man armed with a longbow appears in your path.  He wears a feathered cap, or is that a hood?  You can’t see the man’s face clearly, but you don’t have to.  He is dressed in Lincoln green, the colour of Robin Hood – the most famous English outlaw of all time.

And now comes Janice Honeyman’s brand new pantomime adventure, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, on the stage of The Mandela at Joburg Theatre from November 5th to December 30th 2016.

The plot combines the babes-lost-in-the-forest story with the Robin Hood legend.  The young children, Hansel and Gretel, come to visit their uncle, the Sheriff of Nottingham, little suspecting that he is plotting their demise.  But never fear, help is at hand – in the shape of Robin and his Merry Men, plus Maid Marian and the Spirit of the Forest!

Playing the role of Robin in his first Joburg Theatre pantomime is Izak Davel, best known to TV viewers as Isidingo‘s arrogant Bradley Haines, and whose hit recordings include Verlei My, Is Jy In Of Is Jy Uit and Vreesloos.

Much loved panto star Desmond Dube returns to Joburg Theatre to play the jovial Friar Tuck, Idols finalist Bongi Mthombeni features in his fifth Joburg Theatre pantomime as the dandy Will Scarlet and leading lady of South African musical theatre, Kate Normington, will surely be wildly comic as Silly Sylviana, the Spirit of the Forest!

Also featured in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood are Graham Hopkins as the villainous Norman the Nasty, Sheriff of Nottingham, L J Urbani as the ever-popular panto Dame Emmarentia Ugly, Phumi Mncayi as chief lieutenant of the Merry Men, Little John, award-winning actress Candida Mosoma as Much the Miller’s Son (written with an inevitable panto twist!), beautiful Carmen Pretorius as Robin’s love interest, Maid Marian, and Jaco Van Rensburg as the wandering minstrel, Alan-a-Dale.

Joining them in the all-South-African cast are, in alphabetical order, TeeKay Baloyi, Darius Engelbrecht, Clive Gilson, Nuritt Graff, Kyra Green, Dirk Joubert, Dolly Louw, Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri, Tsepho Ncokoane, Noni Nkonto, Dale Scheepers, Natasha Van Der Merwe and Maryanne Van Eyssen.

“It’s an exciting year for us when Janice Honeyman writes a brand new pantomime script,” says Bernard Jay, Executive Producer of the panto. “We don’t know exactly what to expect until the last minute, but we do know it will be full of her magical flair for story-telling, spectacular special effects, zany comedy and outrageous double entendres!”

Writer / director Janice Honeyman collaborates with producer Bernard Jay on their sixteenth Joburg Theatre pantomime together.  Rowan Bakker joins the team this year as musical director; Nicol Sheraton returns as choreographer; the eagerly anticipated, over-the-top, fabulous sets and costumes are once again supplied by Qdos in the UK; the lighting design is by Graham McLusky; sound design by Trevor Peters; and Timothy Le Roux is the resident director.  As with many past successful pantomime productions at Joburg Theatre, Claire Pacariz and Simon James serve as associate producers.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood has preview performances on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre on November 5th and 6th with tickets from R170.  Its official Opening Night is scheduled for Sunday November 6th and the season continues until December 30th, with tickets priced from R220.

Over 30,000 tickets have already been sold for this year’s panto, so best to hurry and get yours now for South Africa’s most popular family entertainment tradition.  Tickets are available by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com or calling 0861 670 670, as well as through Webtickets and at Pick ‘n’ Pay stores. For group bookings of 10 or more, contact the theatre directly on 011 877 6853/6815.

For details of the full schedule and performance times, visit www.joburgtheatre.com

TWITTER HANDLE:

@joburgtheatre

HASHTAG:

#RobinHoodPanto

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