‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ panto headed to Joburg Theatre

Joburg Theatre and independent theatre producer Bernard Jay 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 SA’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 villain – and the essential good fairy, Jack and The Beanstalk will have audiences in awe at the show’s sheer spectacle and Jack the Joller’s madcap efforts to be its courageous hero.

Not seen on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre since 2012, this ever-popular pantomime story traditionally sets good against evil and is jam-packed with wit, charm and magic.

Making his pantomime debut as the villain is actor, comedian, writer, radio and TV host, director and painter Casper de Vries.

His 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.

KykNET ran four seasons of his CasperRasperShow. De Vries received the Comics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

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. She became a household name when she made it to the Top 10 on Idols. Currently, she is a contestant on The Voice SA.

The role of Jack the Joller brings back actor Zolani Shangase to Joburg Theatre. Zolani enjoyed popularity in his recurring role on DSTV’s telenovela Hope.

His stage credits include a year in London with The Lion King and in South Africa, Aladdin, The Rocky Horror Show, and Show Boat.

The pantomime starts on October 30. Tickets are available from R225 at Joburg Theatre and Webtickets.

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