The pantomime is one of the most exciting theatre events of the year and as preparation gets underway for 2018’s pridcution of Snow White, executive Producer Bernard Jay is thrilled to announce that talk radio legend John Robbie has signed on to play the role of Major Dumb-Ou of the Royal Palace of Cool Cornucopia. He joins Desmond Dube as Dame Dolla Diddledaddledoodledragon, comedian Ben Voss as the Wicked Queen Hildegonda Hoggenham and KIiruna-Lind Devar as the Princess and Tshepho Ncokoane as Prince Chuck B Charming.
I’ve listened to John Robbie for years and loved his passion, his honesty and his confrontation on controversial issues,” says writer/director Janice Honeyman. “I’ve since discovered that there is also a great fun guy in there, who is keen to enthusiastically take on the humour and topicality of our crazy panto pranks. Inside his rugger-bugger exterior, there lies a canny wit and a mischievous but mellow interior. He’s a lekker, normal guy, not pretentious or pompous… I can’t wait to share our mutual sense of the silly”.
Naturally, John Robbie is thrilled to join the cast of this year’s pantomime. “For many years my mum put on the Christmas panto in my home town of Greystones in Ireland,” admits John Robbie. “As kids we had parts and I have never forgotten the fun of it all. Now, after thirty years on radio, I have the chance to re-live it all again on the professional stage. I was thrilled when approached by Bernard Jay and Janice Honeyman and, although terrified, accepted readily. I cannot wait. However,” he continues, “I warn you that I don’t normally sing and when I do, I don’t sing normally! Roll on the Festive Season!”
Snow White premieres at the Joburg Theatre’s The Mandela Stage from November 3rd – December 23rd. Tickets range from R245 – R375 and can be booked at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670.
Feel free to comment, share or tweet @ElBroide
