Written by Lewis Carroll in 1865, Alice in Wonderland has enchanted generations with its unforgettable characters and timeless themes of curiosity, courage, identity and self-discovery. This year’s dazzling pantomime promises all the larger-than-life spectacle, comedy, original music, colourful costumes and magical surprises that audiences have come to expect from South Africa’s “Queen of the Pantomime” Janice Honeyman.

This much-loved story follows the young Alice, a curious and imaginative girl who dreams of adventures beyond the ordinary. When she follows a very late White Rabbit down a mysterious rabbit hole, she finds herself in the extraordinary world of Wonderland – a place filled with talking animals, magical mushrooms, peculiar tea parties and unforgettable characters.

Along the way, Alice encounters the mischievous Cheshire Cat, the eccentric Mad Hatter, the wise Caterpillar, the delightfully chaotic Tweedles and the formidable Queen of Hearts. From a hilarious croquet match to the Queen’s outrageous tart bake-off and the mystery of the missing tarts, every scene promises laughter, music and larger-than-life entertainment.

At its heart, Alice in Wonderland is a story about growing up, finding your place in the world and discovering who you truly are. Through her extraordinary journey, Alice learns to navigate uncertainty, embrace change and trust her own instincts, proving that even the most bewildering adventures can lead to self-discovery, confidence and a deeper understanding of oneself… Through Alice’s remarkable journey, audiences are reminded to embrace their individuality, believe in themselves and never stop imagining.

Leading this year’s magical adventure is an outstanding South African cast.

Guiding us down the rabbit hole is Alice, played by the talented Ashley Scott, who started her professional career as Liesl Von Trapp in The Sound of Music in 2023, followed by the lead role of Mara in the International World Premiere of Disney’s The Magic Box in 2024 and then in 2025 as a Swing and Roxie Understudy in Chicago, before starring in the South African debut of Pretty Woman.

Marking his eighth Janice Honeyman Pantomime, Desmond Dube will be stepping into the role of Dame Nanny Fanny Floppalot. With an impressive career spanning TV, film and stage as well as receiving numerous local and international awards for his outstanding work as a performer, he is well known for his role in the TV programme Suburban Bliss and the series How to Ruin Christmas, as well as other memorable performances on stage and screen.

Russel Savadier plays the role of Narrator Lewis Carroll as he transports audiences through this magical tale. Working extensively as an actor in TV and film, his theatre accolades include Lanford Wilson’s Burn This, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor award, Another Country, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Comedy of Errors, Boys Next Door, Lisbon Traviata, Oleanna, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Popcorn, Waiting for Godot, Romance and as the rapidly unravelling Theatre Director in The Play that Goes Wrong and most recently in the Market Theatre’s production of The Good White.

The evil Queen of Hearts is played by Brendan Van Rhyn, who first starred in a Janice Honeyman Pantomime 25 years ago. Van Rhyn is best known for his alter ego, Cathy Specific, in shows like Mile High, The Triplets of Belville, Trolley Dollies, MC for Madame Zingara, as well as other theatrical productions. He also starred as Lurch in The Addams Family, Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Frank n Furter in The Rocky Horror Show for several seasons, Trevor Grayden in Thoroughly Modern Millie and more.

Bongi Archi hops into his 11th pantomime as The White Rabbit. Bongi Archi is a dynamic and versatile entertainer, known for his work as a singer, actor, music director, voice-over artist, and TV personality. Rising to fame on Idols South Africa in 2010, he has since become a beloved figure in the country’s theatre and music scenes, starring in major pantomimes like Cinderella, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast and last year’s Pinocchio. His talents have taken him from national festivals to international stages.

Charlie Bouguenon is our Mad Hatter. He has performed in South African classics such as Saturday Night at the Palace and the Afrikaans Mis by Reza de Wet, in South African protest theatre including Somewhere on the Border and Brutal Legacy, American plays such as A Raisin in the Sun and Passover, and British classics A Christmas Carol and My Fat Friend. He has also been a regular in musical theatre, including Dear Evan Hansen, The Rocky Horror Show, Jersey Boys, Sweeney Todd, Dancing the Death Drill, and many more. He was critically acclaimed in the one-man-show Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor. Although he has ten Joburg Theatre productions under his belt, this is his first pantomime

Bringing the colourful inhabitants of Wonderland vividly to life are Siya Makakane as The Cheshire Cat, Lesedi Rich as the Caterpillar and Danny Meaker as Jack of Hearts.

The talented ensemble features (in alphabetical order):

Bo Molefe, Brett Kruger, Brian Ngobese, Bulelo Landman, Gareth Meijsen, Inge Lochner, Jessica Driver, Kiruna-Lind Devar, Lisa de Wet, Lwazi Pinyana, Matthew Potter, Noluthando Mathebula, Ntshikeng Matooane, Pule Buys, Raymond Skinner and Zimi Mphefu.

“This year’s pantomime celebrates the limitless power of imagination while reminding audiences that every person is wonderfully unique,” says Xoliswa Nduneni – Ngema, Chief Executive Officer of Joburg Theatre. “Janice Honeyman’s Pantomimes have become a treasured festive tradition for generations of South African families, and Alice in Wonderland promises to be another unforgettable theatrical experience filled with laughter, heart and spectacular entertainment.”

Director Janice Honeyman says audiences can expect one of her most imaginative productions yet.

“Lewis Carroll created a world where absolutely anything can happen and that’s exactly what makes Alice in Wonderland such a joy to bring to the stage. Beneath all the fun, humour and madness is a beautiful story about finding yourself and discovering that you don’t need to change to belong. We have put together an exceptional cast who will transport audiences into a Wonderland bursting with music, colour, comedy and theatrical magic. I can’t wait for families to share this adventure together.”

Renowned for creating some of South Africa’s most beloved festive productions, Janice Honeyman once again transforms the Joburg Theatre stage into an extraordinary world where audiences can escape reality and embrace the joy of live theatre. As the home of one of South Africa’s most beloved theatrical traditions, Joburg Theatre continues to champion the enduring appeal and cultural significance of the Janice Honeyman Pantomime, a highlight on the festive calendar for audiences of all ages.

Joining her on the creative team are Associate Director Tim Le Roux, Musical Director Dale Ray, Choreographer Khaya Ndlovu, Costume Designer Mariska Meyer, Production Designer Andrew Timm, Sound Designer Akhona Bozo and Lighting Designer Johan Ferreira.

Whether you’re meeting these iconic characters for the first time or rediscovering a childhood favourite, Alice in Wonderland promises a magical adventure packed with laughter, spectacular production numbers and heartwarming moments for the whole family.

Janice Honeyman’s Pantomime Alice in Wonderland runs from 28 October to 24 December 2026.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Get 30% off tickets if you book by 31 August. Excluding school performances.

Tickets
Tickets are available from Joburg Theatre at joburgtheatre.com.

School Bookings
For school bookings, contact:

• Sizwe: thandisizwe@joburgtheatre.com | 011 877 6917
• Happiness: happiness@joburgtheatre.com | 011 877 6853

Parental Guidance
Parental guidance is advised, as the production contains mild adult humour.

Follow Joburg Theatre on its social media platforms for the latest news, updates and behind-the-scenes content.

The post Joburg Theatre Announces Cast for Alice in Wonderland 2026 appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Xoliswa Ngema, CEO of Joburg Theatre, says:

“This year’s pantomime continues our legacy of joyful, world-class storytelling for the whole family. With Janice Honeyman at the helm, we know audiences are in for a visual feast, plenty of surprises, and a heartfelt message at the core”.

Join us for a high-energy, heart-filled, and hilariously entertaining ride through the classic tale of the puppet who dreamed of becoming a real boy. Honeyman reimagines Carlo Collodi’s timeless story with her signature sparkle, big laughs, and just the right amount of mayhem.

“Pinocchio was the first live children’s play I saw—at the age of 6—and it made a vivid impression on me!” says director Janice Honeyman. “All these years later, I’m still digging and delving into this story, trying to conjure all its fun, humour, detail, atmosphere, and the host of rich lessons Collodi has to teach.”

This year’s Pinocchio explodes with music, dance, circus magic, puppet shows, techno-trains, pirate ships, and unforgettable characters—from the kindly Papa Geppetto to the mischievous Pussy Galore, and the ever-wise Jiminy Cricket.

“There’s music, dance, comedy, a puppet show, journeys into scary areas, and adventures into unknown zones! And everything Pinocchio experiences, you can take part in too!” Honeyman adds. “Expect stunning sets, crazy-colourful Commedia costumes, toe-tapping tunes, a silly sing-along, and bursts of belly laughs. It’s my fulsome, funny and heartfelt holiday gift to you all!”

Putting this all together, to create this magic behind the scenes is the dream team: Award-winning musical director Dale Ray, Naledi Theatre Award-winning costume designer Mariska Meyer, lighting designer Johan Ferreira, multi-Naledi Theatre Award-winning production designer Andrew Timm, Naledi Theatre Award-winning set designer Enos Ramoroko, sound designer Akhona Bozo and choreographer Khaya Ndlovu.

Audiences young and old will be swept up in Pinocchio’s wild and whimsical quest to become real—learning along with him about honesty, courage, kindness, and what it truly means to be human.

To add to this delightful panto, we have a world-class cast, who will be guiding us through the adventures of Pinocchio.

Our playful puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy, Pinocchio, will be played by the talented Katlego Nche. Bongi Archi will be playing his doting father and the toy maker Geppetto Spoletto.

The Blue Fairy of Goodness Gracious will be played by Gina Shmukler, and the ever-wise and kind-hearted Jiminy will be played by Sandi Dlangalala.

Dame Arletti Spaghetti is our over-the-top, Italian Mama and will be played by Tiaan Rautenbach.

Pinocchio is met by very naughty characters, who try to exploit and mislead him – they are the bad news spreaders, the mischievous makers and influence Pinocchio to be the naughtiest naughty of them all – let’s see if they succeed.

Our naughties are played by Mark Richardson as Strombolio, Luciano Zuppa as Masterigo and Fiddelomino, Brenda Radloff as Ill Fortunato Fox, Camilla Waldman as Pussy Galore, and Lesedi Rich as Lampwick.

The other talented cast members include (in alphabetical order): Bo Molefe, Brian Ngobese, Diego Hamity, Donovan Yaards, Inge Lochner, Jordan Rogers, Jordyn Schaefer, Lisa De Wet, Micah Stojakovic, Noluthando Mathebula, Nozi Phehane, Sax Ketshengane, Siya Makakane, Virtuous Kandemiri and Yahto Kraft.

Come see whether Pinocchio learns his lessons and becomes a real boy.

Let the Blue Fairy of Goodness Gracious guide your way—and don’t forget to bring your imagination and your inner child!

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Get 30% off tickets if you book by 31 August.

Tickets are available at http://www.joburgtheatre.com

For school bookings: Contact Sizwe on thandisizwe@joburgtheatre.com or 011 877 6917, or Happiness on 011 877 6853 or email happiness@joburgtheatre.com

Parental guidance is advised – some adult humour is included.

Don’t miss this glittering, giggling, gloriously magical, no strings attached panto adventure.

Follow Joburg Theatre on all social media platforms #PinocchioSA

The post Janice Honeyman Returns With Pinocchio Pantomime 2025 appeared first on Stage and Screen.

The character of Nettie is the sister of the story’s protagonist, Celie, and shows her sister unconditional love and support. Although Nettie doesn’t bare her own children in the story, she is noted as acting as Celie’s protector and cares for Celie’s children. This caring, maternal nature is true of Sebe Leotlela herself, who recently gave birth to a little girl.

The role of Nettie is a significant one for Leotlela and she was acknowledged for her powerful performance by being nominated for a 2019 Naledi Theatre Award as best supporting actor in a musical.

Leotlela is excited to be returning to her role in the April 2020 season of The Color Purple. Since becoming a mother, she is set to instill many of the lessons from the novel and musical in her daughter.

The musical’s director in South Africa, Janice Honeyman, is also excited to know that Leotlela will be reprising her role as Nettie.

Sebe also played the role of the Disco Diva Candy in Bernard Jay’s production of Saturday Night Fever at The South African State Theatre. She has performed in two of Janice Honeyman’s pantomimes, Pinocchio and Snow White. She is currently serving as assistant choreographer in this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Joining Sebe Leotlela on stage in The Color Purple next year are acclaimed South African actors Didintle Khunou as Celie, Lelo Ramasimong as Shug Avery, Neo Motaung as Sofia, Thokozani Nzima as Mister and Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri as Harpo.

The Color Purple

Joburg Theatre

2 April to 12 April 2020

Tickets are available at www.joburgtheatre.com

Theatre patrons can also book online and pay at selected Pick N Pay stores.

The post The Color Purple appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Benny Bushwhacker, aka Ben Voss, continues his successful national tour of his brand-new, one-man-show and will soon be heading to Gauteng to delight Joburg and Pretoria audiences.

Benny Bushwhacker : Human Nature will be on stage at The Studio Theatre at Montecasino from Thursday, 3^rd – Sunday, 20^th October for a strictly limited season.

Benny Bushwhacker : Human Nature kick-started a fabulous tour when it won two Standard Bank Ovation Awards at the National Arts Festival Makhanda in Grahamstown in July – the very first staging of the show.

The Republic of South Africa proudly welcomes home Benny Bushwhacker (aka Ben Voss), the world’s funniest conservationist. The legend returns to share what it takes to survive the African bush … and for the African bush to survive.

We are grateful to be giving away 3 Double Tickets to Benny Bushwhacker – Human Nature for the opening night of Thursday 3 October at 20h00, worth R360.

Benny Bushwacker Competition is now closed.  

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on 1 October 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 Benny Bushwacker appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Joburg Theatre and independent theatre producer Bernard Jay are delighted to begin the countdown to Panto Season, with this year’s return of Jack and the Beanstalk to The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre.

Acclaimed writer, director and South Africa’s queen of pantomime Janice Honeyman will once again tell the story of poor country boy Jack, the family cow, the magic beans, the enormous beanstalk, the unfriendly giant and the enchanted hen that lays the golden eggs. Adding the giant’s henchman – a truly evil panto villain – and the essential good fairy, Janice Honeyman’s Jack and The Beanstalk, A giant of a Pantomime, will have audiences in awe at the show’s sheer spectacle and Jack the Joller’s madcap efforts to be its courageous hero.

Making his pantomime debut as the villain is actor, comedian, writer, radio and TV host, director and painter Casper de Vries. Casper’s breakthrough satirical play Hello South Africa / Hallo Suid-Afrika started his professional career in 1986. He has since staged numerous one-man shows throughout South Africa, the Netherlands and Canada – and even at the famed London Palladium. The four seasons of his CasperRasperShow on kykNET became extremely popular during the last decade. Casper received the Comics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He is currently hosting the popular CasperRadioShow every Friday on Cliff Central.

Returning to Joburg Theatre following her triumphant success in the role of Shug Avery in The Color Purple is Lelo Ramasimong as the good fairy. Lelo became a household name in SA when she made it to the Top 10 on Idols. Since then she has performed as a vocalist in major venues across the country and was voted by Seventeen Magazine as the Top Young South African Artist.

The role of Jack the Joller brings back actor Zolani Shangase to Joburg Theatre. Zolani enjoyed popularity in his recurring role on DSTV’s Moja Love in the telenovela Hope. His stage credits include a year in the West End of London with The Lion King.

Also featured in Jack and The Beanstalk are: Germandt Geldenhuys as the Dame, currently enjoying great success as Louis on TV’s Binnelanders; Neo Motaung as Mrs Skwashie Mangowashie – another The Color Purple star who, as Sofia, earned standing ovations nightly; 22-year-old Dezlenne Ulster-Weale as Raspberry Rose; and panto stalwart Clive Gilson as Dom-Dik Canari.

Completing the all-South African company are (in alphabetical order) Cameron Botha, Ashleigh Butcher, Olivia Cloud, Gugu Dhlamini, James McPhail, Arno Meyer, Given Mkhize, Noni Mkhonto, Katlego Nche, Nolo Song, Justin Swartz and Carmen Tromp.

The 2019 pantomime is written and directed by Janice Honeyman, with choreography by Nicol Sheraton, musical direction by Dale-Ray Scheepers, lighting design by Graham McLusky and sound design by Akhona Bozo. Timothy Le Roux serves as the show’s resident director, Sebe Leotlela as assistant choreographer and Bronwen Lovegrove as costume co-ordinator. Once again, the show’s spectacular sets and costumes will be provided by the world’s leading pantomime producers, Qdos.

Jack and the Beanstalk is presented by Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay, in association with MNET, 94.2 Jacaranda FM and Your Family magazine. It will be on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre from October 30th to December 22nd 2019. Tickets are now on sale from R225, with fantastic group discounts available. Call 0861 670 670 or visit www.joburgtheatre.com.

The post Jack and the Beanstalk appeared first on Stage and Screen.

With Compliments of Joburg Theatre and the Colab Network, we are giving away three sets of family tickets to the Panto.  One of these prizes includes four tickets to the 19:30 performance on Friday, 9 November 2018 on the Nelson Mandela Stage of the Joburg Theatre Complex.

Legendary 702 talk radio show host John Robbie makes his pantomime debut in Snow White as The Major-Dumb-Ou of the Royal Palace of Cool Cornucopia.  South African movie, television, stage and comedy star Desmond Dube returns to his sixth Joburg Theatre pantomime, playing the comic role of Dame Dolla Diddledaddledoodledragon…

Snow White Competition: This competition is now Closed.

Please Note:

1. Competition Closes on Sunday, 04 November 2018.
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 four 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 Snow White, The Panto appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Executive Producer Bernard Jay is thrilled to announce the signing of legendary talk radio host, John Robbie, to play the role of Major Dumb-Ou of the Royal Palace of Cool Cornucopia in Janice Honeyman’s 2018 pantomime Snow White on The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre from November 3rd – December 23rd.

Rugby player John Robbie won nine caps for Ireland and, with the 1980 British and Irish Lions, played in the fourth test against the Springboks.  He immigrated to South Africa in 1981 and became a South African citizen in 1994.  In South Africa he won 83 caps for Transvaal and John was voted one of the five SA Players of the Year in 1987.

John Robbie joined local radio broadcaster 702 in 1986 as a sports reporter and twice won the SA Sports Journalist of the Year award, once for radio and once for television.  He is also an Ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.  In 1990 he moved into current affairs on 702 and hosted the controversial Talk at Ten Show, culminating in his hosting the Breakfast Show for a total of seventeen years.  John has won both Best Morning Host and Best Morning Show awards on multiple occasions.

He recently retired after thirty years on 702, having built an unrivalled reputation on air for professionalism, integrity and fairness.  Archbishop Desmond Tutu once told John Robbie that his show was not a radio show but a mission.

Snow White also stars South African movie, television, stage and comedy star Desmond Dube as Dame Dolla Diddledaddledoodledragon and comedian Ben Voss as the Wicked Queen Hildegonda Hoggenham.

Also featured are two of South Africa’s most highly acclaimed rising theatre stars, Kiruna-Lind Devar as the Princess and Tshepo Ncokoane as Prince Chuck B Charming.

Performance times vary according to the Festive Season schedule – consult www.joburgtheatre.com to get exact dates and times. Tickets range from R245 – R375 and can be booked at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670.

A fabulous range for groups available by calling the theatre’s VIP Ticketing Office on 011 877 6917 or 011 877 6853.

Not seen on stage since 2008, Snow White is presented by Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay in association with the panto’s much valued long-term partners, MNet, 94.2 Jacaranda FM and Your Family Magazine

The post Snow White appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Producers Joburg Theatre and Bernard Jay announced that The Color Purple would be extending its run on The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre for Women’s Month in August 2018.

Popular actress and vocalist Lelo Ramasimong, who achieved a great personal success playing the role of Darlene in The Color Purple in February, will now step into the lead role of the troubled blues singer Shug Avery.

Lelo Ramasimong became a house-hold name in SA when she made it into the top 10 on Idols SA. Since then she has performed as a vocalist in major venues all over the country and was voted by Seventeen Magazine as the Top Young South African Artist. She also became a finalist in the Cosmopolitan Most Awesome Women of the Year.

Lelo’s theatre career has included award winning performances in Little Shop of Horrors, Dreamgirls, African Footprint, Under African Skies and Burn the Floor.  She was the lead female vocalist in the popular television show Strictly Come Dancing and was one of the artists in the new television series Coke Studio, collaborating with well known producer 37MPH to create the hit single Shine.

Seventeen of the original twenty cast members signed to reprise their roles, including acclaimed Didintle Khunou as Celie and Aubrey Poo as Mister.  Janice Honeyman, Bernard Jay and musical director Rowan Bakker then embarked on another round of auditions to find the three necessary replacement cast members.

Well known actress and vocalist Lelo Ramasimong, who initially played the role of Darlene in The Color Purple, will now be stepping into the leading role of Shug Avery.  Lelo created her own fan base during The Color Purple’s first season with her spine-chilling vocalisation of the role of Darlene.  Now her fans can’t wait to experience the gutsy, blues singing she will feature as Shug Avery.

After several audition sessions, the creative team identified the three highly talented people to join the cast: Masego Mothibakgomo, Terrence Ngwila and Lebo Borole.

Masego Mothibakgomo takes over the role of Darlene from Lelo Ramasimong. Masego obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Drama from the University of Pretoria.  Her theatre work includes roles in Disney’s The Lion King, Romeo and Juliet, Alchemy of Desire/Dead man’s Blues directed by Ball State University’s Wendy Saver-Mortimer and Seussical. Masego is also embarking on a career as a singer/songwriter in the commercial music industry.

Terrence Ngwila will be playing the role of Grady. He is trained in American Latin, basic Tango, and Jazz-Ed but he describes himself mostly as a hip-hop and dub-step dancer. Terrence was also trained and awarded an introductory teaching certificate in Jazz-Ed by one of South Africa’s dancers on Broadway, Pinto Ferreira.  He was part of the award winning South African ‘soapie’ Generations: the Legacy and worked with Paul Grootboom on The President’s Man.  Terrence played the lead in the production 1606, which received an Ovation Award at the Standard Bank National Arts Festival in 2015. Other theatre roles include Marikana The Musical, Freedom and Sophiatown – all at The State Theatre in Pretoria.

Lebo Borole also joins the company. Lebo studied drama and performance at the National School of the Arts and continued her studies at the University of Witwatersrand, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She has worked as a radio personality at Trans World Radio and performed in an acapella music group called Blacklace. She toured Hong Kong in Disney’s The Lion King as Nala. Lebo was also cast as the lead in the musical Milked Voice and is currently featured in the new musical Tsotsi in Cape Town.

The Color Purple will re-open at The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on August 7th 2018 and will run until September 2nd.  To book you can call 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.

The post The Color Purple Ruturns appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Eric Abraham presents a Fugard Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company co-production of Kunene and the King, the new play by John Kani.

Kunene and the King, comes to The Fugard Theatre in April 2019, hot off its world premiere at The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

This moving and funny two-hander provides a fitting tribute to mark the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections after apartheid. Written by actor, activist and playwright, John Kani, famous for his productions including The Tempest, The Island, and also starring in the recent blockbuster movie Black Panther, Kunene and the King reunites a powerhouse team, with director Janice Honeyman fromThe Tempest, Missing, Nothing But The Truth, Hello and Goodbye and Kani performing opposite Sir Antony Sher, who performed in The Tempest, The Fugard Theatre’s production of Broken Glass, the RSC productions of King Lear during 2016 and 2018 and Death of a Salesman.

Design is by Birrie le Roux, known for her work in Shakespeare in Love, King Kong as well as Orpheus in Africa. Lighting is by Mannie Manim, who worked on The Tempest, Sizwe Banzi is Dead, The Fugard Theatre’s productions of The Mother, The Painted Rocks At Revolver Creek, and The Blue Iris.

In Kunene and the King, it is South Africa, 2019. Twenty five years since the first post-Apartheid democratic elections, two men from contrasting walks of life are thrust together to reflect on a quarter century of change.

Daniel Galloway, Executive Director of The Fugard Theatre, notes that they are honoured to be presenting this co-production of John Kani’s new play with The Royal Shakespeare Company, and welcoming him, along with Sir Antony Sher and Janice Honeyman back to The Fugard Theatre. It is indeed a fitting way to mark 25 years of a democratic South Africa, with three of the country’s internationally acclaimed theatre talents and this important play.

Kunene and the King

 The Fugard Theatre

From 30 April 2019

Tickets go on sale from Monday, 5 November 2018.

Tickets, once open for sale for the limited season of 4 weeks only, can be booked directly through The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through The Fugard Theatre’s website at www.thefugard.com

The post Kunene and the King appeared first on Stage and Screen.

By David Simmons

If there was ever a greater time for women to feel empowered in the world and most importantly in South Africa, that time is now! The Color Purple, currently showing at the Joburg Theatre, couldn’t have come at a more auspicious time. Women all over the world, empowered by the Times Up movement are uniting as one and marching with a clear and powerful voice, echoing the struggles of their ancestors and all the many hardships they had to endure. The Color Purple is one such story, a celebration and at times a strained battle of the struggles of women, their determination to survive and overcome their darkest adversities.

Stories of hope, love, friendship and ultimately redemption always ring true to one’s heart and through music, song and dance we tend to hear and understand the message with a more vivid and clear ring. It is not often one gets to witness on stage something so remarkable and poignant that it leaves you feeling numb and speechless, yet at the same time empowered and overjoyed. The Color Purple with its rich cocktail of emotions will leave a completely different imprint on each and every theatre goer, making the experience all the more worthwhile.

The production which officially opened on Sunday the 4^th of February to rapturous applause, is its first major international staging since the Broadway revival and this musical, with its smart and clever direction, is bound to take Johannesburg by storm. The Color Purple is by no means a glamourous showcase. It’s raw, its gutsy but has a temperament that is bound to have you leaping out of your seats and rejoicing in unison with the characters on stage!

It takes a massive team to bring a production of this scale to life and huge credit needs to be given to Production Designer, Sarah Roberts, and Mannie Manim as the Lightening Designer, who both transported audience members to a bygone era where the atmosphere was bleak, yet the characters vivid and commanding in their respective roles. The music, under the baton of Rowan Bakker, brilliantly brought the sumptuous and evocative score to life, filling the theatre with sounds of jazz, gospel and ragtime numbers. Executive Producer Bernard Jay and Director Janice Honeyman, both who need very little introduction, have given this rousing musical wings and gifted us with an incredible and moving story.

The plot is simple, but the characters are complicated, allowing the audience to witness their troubled lives of anguish and determination up close and personal. We are introduced to sisters Celie and Nettie both intrinsically connected not only by birth but with a bond that will stand the test of time. They are separated through circumstance and both have to venture into the unknown hardships of life and the difficulties of being a woman. Celie, under the abusive and watchful eye of Mister finds her voice through two exceptional characters, Sofia and Shug Avery whose friendship and morals allow her to find her true path in the world.

I revisited Alice Walker’s novel for a light recap a few weeks before the Musical opened. I whisked through the book savouring every page and understanding the complexities of the characters and the women who are central in making this story so real and relatable. Stand out performances from Didintle Khunou who brought Celie’s character to life and Sebe Leotlela who played Nettie with dignity and affection both expressing buckets loads of rich and notable talent.

Neo Motaung’s Sofia, who as played by Oprah Winfrey in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film, blew me away. I loved her character from beginning to end, her strength, spirit and gutsy laugh was a joy to watch. Lerato Mvelase who played Shug Avery gave a memorable and determined role capturing equal amounts of strength and vulnerability.

Other noteworthy performances were Aubrey Poo whose character resembled the antagonist of the story, was stoic and memorable. The all South African cast were exceptional with clockwork performances showcasing some of the best talents we have in the country. Once couldn’t fault their deep southern drawl’s which made this stirring musical all the more authentic. Oscar Buthelezi, The Color Puple’s Choreographer, expertly created dance numbers of substance, bringing the past to life. With musical numbers such as Hell No and I’m Here, you’ll soon discover that this musical means business.

Oprah Winfrey’s Cecil B Demille Life time achievement speech at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards echoed everything that The Color Purple stands for. It was profound, real and captured the hearts of women and audience members alike:

‘What I know for sure, is speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I am especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories”.

This hugely ambitious offering has an almost spiritual voice, one that I haven’t experienced on a South African stage in a very long time. I laughed, I cried but most importantly I felt a wonderful togetherness with my fellow theatre goers who collectively experienced and witnessed something quite remarkable on stage. If there is one musical you see this year- let it be this one!

The Color Purple will be running at the Joburg Theatre until 4 March 2018. Tickets are available at Webtickets or at the theatre.

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