South Africa’s most beloved holiday theatre tradition returns as the legendary Janice Honeyman stages her 38th annual pantomime with an all-new magical production of Pinocchio, running from 31 October to 24 December 2025 at the celebrated Joburg Theatre.
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.
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.
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.
Tickets are available at http://www.joburgtheatre.com.
