John Robbie joins Joburg Theatre panto
“I warn you that I don't normally sing and when I do, I don't sing normally!”
Talk radio host John Robbie has signed up to play the role of Major Dumb-Ou of the Royal Palace of Cool Cornucopia in Janice Honeyman’s 2018 pantomime Snow White which will run at The Mandela Stage at Joburg Theatre from November 3 to December 23.
“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,” Honeyman says adding: “He’s a lekker, normal guy, not pretentious or pompous … I can’t wait to share our mutual sense of the silly.”
Rugby player John Robbie won nine caps for Ireland and, with the 1980 British and Irish Lions, played in the fourth test against the Springboks.
He immigrated to South Africa in 1981 and became a South African citizen in 1994.
In South Africa he won 83 caps for Transvaal and John was voted one of the five SA Players of the Year in 1987.
He joined local radio broadcaster 702 in 1986 as a sports reporter and twice won the SA Sports Journalist of the Year award, once for radio and once for television.
Robbie is also an ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
In 1990 he moved into current affairs on 702 and hosted the controversial Talk at Ten Show, culminating in his hosting the Breakfast Show for a total of 17 years.
He has won both Best Morning Host and Best Morning Show awards on multiple occasions.
“For many years my mum put on the Christmas panto in my hometown of Greystones in Ireland,” admits Robbie.
“As kids we had parts and I have never forgotten the fun of it all.
“Now, after 30 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!”
Snow White also stars South African movie, television, stage and comedy star Desmond Dube as Dame Dolla Diddledaddledoodledragon and comedian Ben Vos as the Wicked Queen Hildegonda Hoggenham.
Also featured are two of South Africa’s most highly acclaimed rising theatre stars, Kiruna-Lind Devar as the Princess and Tshapo Ncokoane as Prince Chuck B Charming.
