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Any Johannesburg theatre patron will attest that Janice Honeyman’s annual pantomimes at the Joburg Theatre have become synonymous with the city’s year-end celebrations.
Parents will also tell you that nobody in this city does children’s theatre better than the Peoples Theatre.
Between Janice’s Alice in Wonderland and the People's Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty: The Musical, lovers of storytelling are set to have a joyous end to 2026.
Thirty-nine pantomimes mean audiences love Janice Honeyman
Alice in Wonderland is Janice’s 39th pantomime! That alone is a testament to how deeply these productions resonate with audiences. From changing the names of globally recognised characters - such as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast to Gaviscon - to incorporating Amapiano-inspired dance moves into Pinocchio’s performance, the multi-award-winning director uncannily makes these universal stories relatable to a South African audience.
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Her cast this year brings Desmond Dube back to the Joburg Theatre stage as the Dame, a character that captured audiences in Aladdin back in 2006, and in Snow White 12 years later. Ashley Scott, who plays Alice in this year’s production, is making her pantomime debut, and Bongi Archi - one of the most established pantomime veterans, who also played Pinocchio’s father last year - graces the stage once again as the White Rabbit.
- What: Alice in Wonderland
- When: 31 Oct | Time: 11am
- Where: The Joburg Theatre
- Cost: R170 to R390 via Quicket
Audience engagement and family-friendly adaptations at the Peoples Theatre
The classic Sleeping Beauty: The Musical is yet another addition to the Peoples Theatre’s much-loved productions. While the show has been staged all over the UK and the US, this is its official African premiere, and Johannesburg is the first to experience it. This theatre prides itself on audience engagement, which often includes inviting its young audience onto the stage. Its audience has also been known to join the cast in singing “Happy Birthday” to its theatre club members after each performance.
The production features all the original songs from the fairy tale, mixing them up with a surprising new spin on this global childhood favourite. Founded in 1989, the Peoples Theatre has staged more than 200 productions over the years and is celebrating its 37th birthday with this adaptation of Sleeping Beauty.
- What: Sleeping Beauty
When: From 03 Nov 2026 | Time: 9am - Where: The Peoples Theatre
- Cost: R180 via Quicket
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