JANICE HONEYMAN'S CINDERELLA: Joburg Theatre's annual pantomime bounces back with a buzz
Photo: enroCpics
There was a collective shoulder-sag across Joburg when last year’s annual pantomime was postponed as a result of the pandemic. Which is why this year’s production will be an extra special one, as we celebrate the comeback of a time-honoured Johannesburg tradition with the ultimate in pomp and circumstance.
Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella will be on the Nelson Mandela Theatre stage at Joburg Theatre from 5 November to 24 December featuring one of the most iconic underdog stories of all time.
In Janice Honeyman’s version of the fairy tale, the show is destined to be packed with an abundance of comedy, spectacle, dazzling costumes and, of course, a little Fairy Godmother Magic.
As the most beloved of South African family stage shows, this year’s pantomime promises to be more spectacular than ever. Production designer Andrew Timm has joined the team to transform the stage into a high-tech, 21st Century riot of innovative and spectacular special effects – combining live performance with projections and 3D graphics on more than 500 LED screens. The special effects hologram effects, giant props, magic techniques and pyrotechnics to surprise and delight audiences of all ages.
Desmond Dube as Fanny Flatulina and Ben Voss as Flossie Flemerina, the Ugly Sisters. Photo: enroCpics
Writer and director of the pantomimes, Janice Honeyman, adds: “It’s going to be such a jol working closely with Timm this year. Everything will be geared to retain the best of what has made our pantos so popular in the past – the audience-involvement traditions of the genre, my sly but purposeful double entendres, the unwrapping of the fairy tale itself through good and evil – but now adding the best of what technology and visual effects can offer to take the panto into the future. I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room again!”
Timm is an award-winning creative director of TV shows, large-scale music events, music videos and corporate theatre. With three decades of industry experience as a director, designer and writer in the entertainment industry, Andrew’s career highlights include creative director of staging for the live broadcasts of X Factor South Africa and five years of staging gospel’s acclaimed Joyous Celebration. He currently also directs music videos for the world famous Ndlovu Youth Choir.
“Being appointed production designer for Cinderella is definitely a bucket list moment for me,” admits Andrew. “With specially created animated content, we will transport the audience from the interior of a lavish castle, lit by hundreds of burning torches and candles, to the depths of a dark and foreboding forest complete with the glowing eyes of unknown creatures blinking in the darkness. The set virtually becomes another character in the show, because it can – and will – have a life of its own. The possibilities are endless!”
2021’s Cinderella stars Desmond Dube and Ben Voss as the hilarious Ugly Sisters Fanny Flatulina and Flossie Flemerina, with Dolly Louw as GogoMama the Merry-Fairy Godmother.
“The Festive season in Joburg would be nothing without the traditional panto and its magic,” says Joburg City Theatre’s CEO Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema. “Although postponed last year due to the pandemic, we certainly look forward to hosting patrons this year as we are well-positioned to share the magic whilst staying in line with Covid regulations and protocols. We are excited to know that this most popular South African family show will definitely be back on our newly upgraded, iconic Mandela Stage. We pride ourselves in continuously producing shows that will enrich debates and provide edutainment, but more importantly create job opportunities for the creatives within the industry who have been negatively impacted by the lockdown.”
Tickets for Cinderella are now on sale from R240 through visiting www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670.