The magic starts before you even step inside the Zingara tent. That glowing heart suspended against the Cape Town skyline hints at what’s to come - with the promise of spectacle and mischief certainly fulfilled with this fun night out.
If you slipped behind the Zingarian veil a decade ago, you’ll be pleased to know the rebirth has lost none of its shimmer.
And if this is your first time, best you strap in for a wild ride.
Back under the banner of The Countess, Zingara returns with La Dolce Royal.
This isn’t merely dinner and a show. La Dolce Royal invites you to remember what wonder feels like with a level of theatrical alchemy that deftly weaves through all the emotions, as mourning and laughter are rooted in a universal prayer for beauty and wonder to creep right back into your soul.
The Show
From the moment the mystical Zingarian crew hand you a welcome drink, you’re swept into another world.
The creativity drips from every detail - from the Timekeeper (a magnetic Andile Magxaki) who anchors the night, to a dazzling carousel of international acts.
Opera diva Megan Spencer is pitch-perfect and deliciously funny in moments, while Ukrainian twins Mykola and Andrii Pysiura steal the spotlight with their gravity-defying balance act. And then there’s Lunga “Brown Sugar” Buthelezi - a contortionist whose every move is equal parts poetry and disbelief.
Ukrainian artist Tatiana Babiy’s feather-on-palm balance act is pure sorcery that seems to bend the laws of physics.
Threaded throughout the supper, the musical heartbeat of The Clorettes: (Andrea Edith Plaatjies, Brandon Jonathan and Naz Abrahams) keeps the energy sizzling.
The Food
Dinner is its own delight, featuring a four-course feast that still includes favourites like the signature chilli chocolate and the servers’ playful sass adds an extra layer of theatre.
The cocktails and wine list remain top class.
If there’s one small caveat, it’s that the tent feels tighter this season, and tables are packed quite close together. It does make some of the trapeze acts seem even more daring in the slightly smaller space.
Seated in the middle ring toward the back, I occasionally found my view obscured, but the performers work the space with such intent that the spectacle never falters. The best seats in the house are the Royal Booths and Balconies - slightly pricier but worth the splurge if you can book them.
Every flicker of light, dazzling costume shimmer matched by the quick-change stage sequences, appears effortless, but the intense energy required by the entire ensemble is not lost, not for a minute.
It's safe to say that directors Craig and Valentina Leo, alongside creative director Richard Griffin, have conjured a universe that feels both nostalgic and brand new.
Zingara's dreamscape, where time folds in on itself and the extraordinary feels entirely within reach, is the hot ticket to secure this summer - with most shows nearly booked out until December, and January bookings just released.
The Details:
Zingara: La Dolce Royal runs Tuesdays to Sundays until May 2026 at Century City (Opposite the Long March to Freedom).
Doors open at 6 pm, with the show starting at 8 pm. Tickets start at R1150 per person, including a welcome drink, a four-course feast and the full Zingara experience.