The jungle is soon going to be jumpin’ with a jazzy beat! Specially adapted from the classic Disney animated film, Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS features a host of colourful characters and your favourite songs from the movie.

Banished by the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run in the deepest parts of the jungle. On their journey, the two meet a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants and a giant bear named Baloo, who teaches them the swingin’ musical rhythms of the jungle.

After surviving a dangerous encounter with a band of monkeys led by King Louie, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives. When Shere Khan returns, our heroes rally together to defeat Shere Khan in battle and peace is restored throughout the jungle.

Disney The Jungle Book Kids is directed by Jill Girard and Keith Smith, with Musical Direction by Coenraad Rall, Musical Staging by Sandy (Dyer) Richardson, Set and Lighting Design by Grant Knottenbelt and costumes Linda Wilson

Baloo will be played by one of Peoples Theatres favourite performers, Luciano Zuppa, Baloo is an easygoing and fun-loving character who shirks at responsibility. He is a sleepy old bear who teaches Mowgli the law of the jungle and is well known for his song The Bare necessities during their adventure through the jungle Baloo eventually realises that the man village is the best place for Mowgli.

Bagheera is Mowgli’s mentors and protector, and is tasked with getting Mowgli to the man village but he is met with many obstacles along the way, Bagheera will be played by the wonderful Thokozani Jiyane who was last seen playing the role of Marty the zebra in Madagascar Jr.

Kaa will be played by Bethany-Joy Jiyane and this will be her first performance for the Peoples Theatre. Kaa is surprisingly one of Mowgli’s wise mentors and friend. who is also feared throughout the jungle for her mesmerizing “hunger dance”. She plays her part in getting Mowgli to safety.

Shere Khan, is a vicious man-eating Bengal Tiger who is the main villain and the archenemy of Mowgli and will be played by Clive Gilson. Peoples Theatre were very fortunate to work with Clive in Peter Pan in 2016 and are happy to have him back on their stage to bring alive the three characters he will be portraying (Shere Khan, Colonel Hathi and King Louie).

Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS opens at the Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex with preview performances from Monday, 2nd March. The official show opening is on Sunday, 8th March. The season runs until Sunday, 26th April.

Performance times are Mondays to Friday at 9am and 11am, Saturdays at 10:30am and 2.30pm as well as all Sundays and Public Holidays.

Ticket prices are R145 for general public or R100 for members of the Peoples Theatre kids Club (You can become a member for R120 membership fee – contact Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/ 2340 for more information).

To book tickets call Sean on 011 403 1563 / 2340 or email the theatre at info@peoplestheatre.co.za.

For more information visit www.peoplestheatre.co.za

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The magic of one of society’s all-time favourite films Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. comes alive on stage in spectacular fashion from Monday, 28^th October – Sunday 22^nd December.

Take a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. Based on the beloved film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. is a family-friendly blockbuster that audiences will find “Truly Scrumptious.”

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang  JR is directed by Jill Girard and Keith Smith, with Musical Direction by Coenraad Rall, Musical Staging by Sandy Richardson, Set and Lighting Design by Grant Knottenbelt and costumes by Merry Whillier and Sean McGrath.

Newcomer Mondé Sibisi recently qualified in the UK, plays the role of Caractacus Potts who is Jeremy and Jemima’s father. He is an eccentric inventor who cares deeply about his children.

Peoples Theatre is delighted to have Caroline Borole grace our stage, playing the role of Truly Scrumptious who is a smart, confident, adventurous daughter of Lord Scrumptious who quickly earns the Potts family’s trust.

One of Peoples Theatres favourite performers, Luciano Zuppa will be back again. He will be playing the role of Grandpa who loves Jeremy, Jemima, and Potts with all his heart; the most important thing to Grandpa is his family.

Roberto Queiroz, who was seen in Shrek Jr at the People Theatre as Lord Farquard, will be playing the role of Lord Scrumptious, the all-powerful owner of the candy factory.

Peoples Theatre is excited to have newcomer Matthew Otto play the role of the larger than life, evil Baron and by his side the mischievous and manipulative Baroness played by Joelle Rochecouste who charmed us as Gloria in Madagascar Jr.

Peoples Theatre is happy to have Raymond Skinner back playing the role of Boris, the worst spy ever.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.

Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex

Previews from Monday, 28^th October

Official show opening: Sunday, 10^th November. The season runs until Sunday, 22^nd  December.

Mondays to Friday at 9am and 11am,

Saturdays at 10:30am and 2.30pm

Sundays and Public Holidays.

Ticket prices are R140 for general public or R100 for members of the Peoples Theatre kids Club (You can become a member for R120 membership fee – contact Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/ 2340 for more information).

To book tickets call Sean or Beth on 011 403 1563 / 2340 or email the theatre at info@peoplestheatre.co.za.

For more information visit www.peoplestheatre.co.za

Special school performances are available at R80 per learner plus for every 20 learners there is one complimentary ticket per educator – extra educators R80 each and all other accompanying adults are R100 each.

For more information: contact the Peoples Theatre directly on 011 403 1563 / 2340.

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Jill Girard and Keith Smith are delighted to bring to life for the very first time on stage at The People’s Theatre, the popular Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR, providing children, parents and all those with a love of joy and laughter, the ideal family entertainment over the coming winter months.

Be careful What you wish for, a few escapees from the Central Park Zoo quickly find out that living in the wild Is ………. Well, a pretty wild experience!

The show runs through the June/July school holidays, with the final performance on Sunday, 4^th August 2019.

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto your stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime.

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated film, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. follows all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Alex the Lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends — Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo — have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them.

Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape — with the help of some prodigious penguins — to explore the world,

Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. will leave audiences with no choice but to “Move It, Move It!”

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR is directed by Jill Girard and Keith Smith, with Musical Direction by Dale Scheepers, Musical Staging by Sandy (Dyer) Richardson and Set & Lighting Design by Grant Knottenbelt.

One of People’s Theatre’s favorite performers, Luciano Zuppa, will be playing Alex the Lion. He’s a fun-loving fella whose devotion to steak is matched only by his devotion to his friends. Marty the Zebra will be played by the energetic Thokozani Jiyane, who has  dreams of exploring beyond the confines of the Central Park Zoo and into the wild. Joëlle Rochecouste, a newcomer to the People’s Theatre, will be bringing her fresh and vibrant flair to Gloria the Hippopotamus, who is a bold young lady with a maternal streak that shines when she’s with her three closest friends: Alex, Marty and Melman.

Marvin Molepo, who charmed us as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, will be playing Melman the kind-hearted Giraffe who is a bit of a hypochondriac. He’s always just a little bit nervous, but when it comes down to it, he’ll rise to the occasion.

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR

People’s Theatre at Joburg Theatre

Sunday 9 June to Sunday 4 August 2019

(Previews take place from 3^rd June)

Mondays to Fridays at 9am and 11am,

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays at 10:30am and 2.30pm

Ticket prices are R140 for general public or R100 for members of the Peoples Theatre kids Club (You can become a member for R120 membership fee – contact Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/ 2340 for more information).

Discounts for school bookings apply, with tickets being R80 per person.

For bookings, call Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/2340 or email  info@peoplestheatre.co.za.

Otherwise you can book online at www.joburgtheatre.com or through Webtickets.

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By Jaco Lotriet

With the school holidays now in full swing, one cannot wonder whether parents are dreading this break, or embracing it? While Johannesburg offers a myriad of different entertainment options for both young and old, serving as a most welcome reprieve from boredom, one entertainment option seems to be overlooked by most families: The magnificent world of theatre. Enter directors Jill Girard and Keith Smith of the People’s Theatre, situated in the Joburg Theatre complex. This specially created flagship of Children’s Theatre has celebrated over 25 years of providing world class quality, fun filled – and educational – theatre to countless families.

Girard and Smith are delighted to get this year underway with a bang, bringing children and parents together for a thumping theatre experience, with the fabulous Broadway show, Seussical the Musical Jr.

Based on the books by Dr. Seuss, the children’s favourite author for over 60 years, his much loved use of language, rhyme and humour have been aptly re-imagined on stage by Smith, Girard and their extraordinary team, while retaining Dr. Seuss’ customary positive message.

Still, as crafty as they may be and as comfortable as the People’s Theatre is, I couldn’t help but wonder how they would pull off grabbing the young ones attention, in an age where even 4 year olds have their faces buried in their own cellular telephones these days. Fear not, Seussical the Musical Jr did not disappoint – cell phones were out of sight just as soon as the curtain lifted.

A nearly constant barrage of dance, music, lights and some clever set design, not only captured the imagination of the little ones, but that of the adults too. Visually, Grant Knottenbelt’s set design may seem minimalistic but then, it doesn’t have to be over-the-top. It’s colourful, with features such as steps behind one of the set pieces, a tunnel and door behind another, creating the illusion that the characters are seamlessly moving around all the time. I was delighted by the see-through display screen dropping from above, in front of the stage. Clever use of lasers and LED’s display various shapes and characters on this screen, enhancing the thread of the story in a modest, yet effective manner, while being a visual delight, all at once.

With characters ranging from a cat, to an elephant and even some birds joining in, the costumes and make-up further pulls the audience into the Dr. Seuss’ imaginary world of make-believe. Sean McGrath, Merry Whiller and specialist Costume designer Trudie Stroh pulled this off in an excellent execution, bringing the characters to life on stage. It is said that the costume make the character but the actors playing these parts, were astounding.

Newcomer Katlego Nche excelled with his charming, witty portrayal of The Cat in the Hat – a sort of jester-like character, sometimes serving as a narrator, other times within the storyline, mingling with the central child character of the show. Nche is joined by another newcomer, Megan Spencer, as the Sour Kangaroo. Seasoned stage actor Luciano Zuppa brought the endearing character of Horton to life. Central to the storyline of this morality-play, Zuppa’s elephant character is the hero with a message that is loveable, especially in the final moments of the show.

The child actors in this magical production amazed with their professionalism. Unwavering in their deliverance of the several different characters they portray, I am always astonished at the magnitude of their commitment. Exactly how they remember all the words in the script is something that boggles my mind. Masego Mothibakgomo plays the quirky Gertrude McFuzz, and another People’s Theatre favourite Nonhlanhla Mkhonto, plays the effervescent Mayzie. Thokozani Jiyane, who charmed in Annie Jr, returns to the Peoples Theatre as Mr. Mayor and is sure to delight the audience again.

A sensational music score under the musical direction of Dale Scheepers, combined with the funniest characters by Dr. Suess, will surely bring rapturous laughter, rhyme and rhythm to Johannesburg during Easter.

Seussical the Musical Jr is great family entertainment and will run from 10 March 2019, until 28 April 2019 at the Joburg Theatre’s People’s Theatre.

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Directors Jill Girard and Keith Smith are delighted to get this 2019 Children’s Theatre year, at The Peoples Theatre, underway with a bang, bringing children, parents and all those with a love of joy and laughter together, for a rollicking theatre experience with the fabulous Broadway show Seussical the Musical Jr.

Previews begin on 4 March 2019, with the official opening on Sunday, 10 March 2019, at the Peoples Theatre. Seussical the Musical Jr. runs aptly through the school holidays, with the final performance on Sunday, 28 April 2019.

Based on the much-loved Dr. Seuss books, Seussical the Musical Jr. draws its characters from a number of books. It is filled with non-stop music, laughter and feel-good fun.

Dr. Seuss has been a children’s favourite author for over 60 years and is loved for his use of language, rhyme and humour. The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Green Eggs and Ham and many more, have been the stepping stones to reading for many children and introduced them to a wonderful range of characters and positive concepts.

Girard and Smith say that The Peoples Theatre strives to educate younger minds, in order to create a stronger generation through the medium of theatre, further adding that it is fun to have fun, but you have to know how – this is their motivation in directing this marvellous production.

Designer Grant Knottenbelt will be bringing Dr. Seuss’s unmistakable, quirky pages to stage with his set design.  Merry Whillier and Sean McGrath will tickle the audiences’ imagination, with their costume design.  Sandy Richardson Dyer choreographs a superb cast of actors and is sure to even get audience’s feet moving in time, to the catchy tunes.

The Cat in the Hat and the Sour Kangaroo, will be played by rising newcomers Katlego Nche and Megan Spencer respectively, and will bring their wit and charm to these synonymous characters. Nche says audiences should expect the unexpected, but they will definitely fall in love this with cat!

Luciano Zuppa brings his wide-ranging theatre experience to the character of Horton. Lovable to the end, this kind-hearted elephant is a hero with a message, and not to be missed.  Masego Mothibakgomo plays the quirky Gertrude McFuzz, and another People’s Theatre favourite Nonhlanhla Mkhonto, plays the effervescent Mayzie.  Thokozani Jiyane, who charmed in Annie Jr, returns to the Peoples Theatre as Mr. Mayor and is sure to delight the audience again.

Girard and Smith state they have combined the funniest stories and craziest Dr. Seuss creatures in this unique blend of rhyme, rhythm and sensational music score. Smith continues, saying that Dr. Seuss is bound to appeal to children of all ages and abilities, encouraging them to think and be creative. “Oh, the places this show will take your imagination!”

Seussical the Musical Jr:

Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex

From Sunday 10 March 2019 to Sunday 28 April 2019.

Performance times are Monday to Friday, at 9:00 and 11:00 and Saturdays, at 10:30 and 14.30, as well as on some Sundays and Public Holidays.

Ticket prices are R140 for general public or R100 for members of the Peoples Theatre kids Club.

Discounts for school bookings apply, with tickets being R80 per person.

For bookings, call Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/2340 or email info@peoplestheatre.co.za

Alternatively, bookings can be made online at www.joburgtheatre.com or through Webtickets.

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The Little Mermaid and her fishy friends are back at the Peoples Theatre with even more pizzazz than ever before, from 2^nd November – 24^thDecember.

The popular theatre directors Jill Girard and Keith Smith are pros at bringing magical children’s productions to the stage and the Disney classic, The Little Mermaid is no exception. They are thrilled to be bringing it back to the Peoples Theatre situated at the Joburg Theatre complex.

This year’s irresistible version of The Little Mermaid JR, will showcase the talents of an energetic cast against a stunning underwater world. The costumes and sets will open up a wonderland of colours turning the stage into the perfect playground for Ariel and her vivacious under-the-sea friends.

In fact, the cast is no stranger to Girard and Smith’s exciting renditions of classic children’s stories. Most of the actors have performed in other memorable fairytales directed by the talented two for Peoples Theatre.

Jaydene Marais started performing in Girard and Smith’s wonderful productions at the tender age of 8 when she debuted as Christopher Robin in Winnie the Pooh. Her first professional role was as Drizella in Disney’s Cinderella.She has played in numerous parts for Peoples Theatre since then. “Story book theatre is my favourite form of entertainment. It’s interesting and fun and stretches your skills to new limits, which I am looking forward to most in Little Mermaid JR,” says Marais.

Aidan Hyland says his inspiration is Daniel Day-Lewis whose birthday he shares. Before being cast in The Little Mermaid JR, he starred in the Peoples Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty. “Now I hope to surprise the audience with my performance in Little Mermaid JR,” he says.

Noni Mikhonto’s first production at Peoples Theatre was as Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Since then she has performed in at least eight of Girard and Smith’s magical story book productions including a previous rendition of The Little Mermaid. “It’s my best story ever. I love playing Ariel’s crab friend Sebastian because he’s just so full of life and comedy,” she says.

This will be Shelly Simon’s first time starring in a Peoples Theatre production even though she is an accomplished performer. Simon has played in popular plays like Sister Act and will take on the role of the villain Ursula in The Little Mermaid JR. “When I started exploring musical theatre I always liked the idea of playing the villain. I find them interesting and the reason why a story takes form. Ursula has always been the one villain I have wanted to play,” says Simon.

Sarah Malherbe has performed in some big musicals like The Sound of Music to name one. For Peoples Theatre she has been cast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Story Book Theatre. “I am extremely excited to be taking on the starring role of Ariel in this year’s production of The Little Mermaid,” she says

Musical theatre is an absolute passion for Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri which is why he has enjoyed being cast in various Peoples Theatre productions including Donkey in Shrek Jr and an array of characters in Story Book Theatre. “I am looking forward to bringing life to my characters under the sea,” he says.

This is Andile Magxaki’s third production with Peoples Theatre. He recently enjoyed a successful run of both Shrek Jrand Storybook Theatre. He has also performed the leads in a variety of popular musicals such as Oklahoma, Evita, andGuys & Dolls to name but a few. “I am looking forward to the challenge of playing both King Triton and a cameo as Chef Louis in The Little Mermaid,” says Magxaki.

Musical direction for this production will be by Rowan Bakker who has recently received critical acclaim for his musical direction on SISTER ACT and SWEENEY TODD ! Sandy Richardson having just completed Fashion Week has 35 years of credits to her name, will be applying her choreographic skill to all the musical numbers ! Linda Wilson will be bringing the magical “under the sea” costumes to life, ensuring a visual extravaganza and a kaleidoscope of colour !

Children and adults alike will not be able to resist the magic charm that is The Little Mermaid JR. It’s an age-old tale but with contemporary life lessons about friendship and acceptance. The fact that Girard and Smith’s rendition is interactive and fun just makes it all the more memorable. A perfect feel-good, summertime hit!

Tickets cost R120  per person.  Kids Club members are R80 per member and R100 per accompanying member. To book call Andrew or Lorraine on 011 403 1563/2340 and for more information visit www.peoplestheatre.co.za OR ONLINE at joburgtheatre.com.

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