The best of Johannesburg theatre this October

• Thursday 15 October - Sunday 8 November, Various Times

• Location: Mannie Manim, Market Theatre

• Cost: R110 - R220 via Webtickets

Larry is a closeted Coloured librarian trying to find a place to live in the final years of apartheid, only to end up under the roof of a deeply religious widow in SHOCKWAVE. With political tension and the HIV/AIDS crisis looming in the background, the production explores the complicated intersections of race, sexuality, religion and morality. What makes the story compelling is the way Larry’s personal life collides with the pressures of the society around him.

• Thursday 15 October - Sunday 8 November, Various Times

• Location: Barney Simon, Market Theatre

• Cost: R110 - R220 via Webtickets

Malcolm Purkey returns with The Breasts of Tiresias, following Michael, a trans man fascinated by the Greek prophet Tiresias, who was said to have lived as both a man and a woman. Michael longs for a similar transformation, setting the stage for a story about gender, identity and self-discovery.

Starring Gerard Bester and Sandi Dlangalala, with live music by Carlo Mombelli, this is one for anyone looking for contemporary theatre that tackles identity and gender through an unusual blend of mythology and modern experience.

• Friday 16 October - Sunday 22 November, Various Times

• Location: Teatro at Montecasino

• Cost: R250 - R480 via Ticketmaster

If you hear the opening notes of Dancing Queen and immediately start singing, consider this your sign. You can escape to a sunny Greek island this October when Mamma Mia! returns to Teatro at Montecasino, with ABBA providing the soundtrack.  

Wedding plans take an unexpected turn when Sophie invites three men from her mum Donna’s past to the island, hoping to discover which one is her father. There’s family, friendship and romance at the heart of it, but it’s the ABBA soundtrack that really brings the feel-good factor. 

• Thursday 22 October - Saturday 7 November, Various Times

• Location: Centurion Theatre

• Cost: R350 via Quicket

Tracy Turnblad is back, and she's bringing plenty of energy with her. Hairspray takes audiences to 1960s Baltimore, following Tracy as she chases her dream of appearing on television while finding herself caught up in the fight against segregation. 

There are big dance numbers, colourful characters and plenty of heart, with a story about fitting in, following your dreams and challenging discrimination. The show keeps things lively with music and dance while exploring the bigger issues that shape the characters’ lives. 

Wicked and The Wizard of Oz

• Wednesday 28 October, 7pm

• Location: Main Theatre at Roodepoort Theatre

• Cost: R200 Children and Pensioners, R250 Adults via Webtickets

Oz takes centre stage in Wicked and The Wizard of Oz, bringing together the stories of Dorothy, the Wicked Witch and the magical world beyond the yellow brick road.

The magic of Oz gets a live theatrical treatment, giving audiences a chance to revisit its best-known characters and stories. If Dorothy, Elphaba and the Emerald City are already favourites, this production offers a fresh way to revisit their world.

• Thursday 29 October - Friday 30 October, Various Times

• Location: The Lesedi at Joburg Theatre

• Cost: R200 via Webtickets

The magic of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory gets a ballet treatment in this showcase, featuring a selection of highlights from the full production. Young dancers bring Charlie’s world to life, stepping into the roles of the story’s best-known characters and recreating key moments through dance.

It’s not just about what happens on stage, with behind-the-scenes content revealing how the choreography, music, costumes and props help bring the story to life. 

• Saturday 31 October - Thursday 24 December, Various Times

• Location: Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre

• Cost: R170 - R390 via Webtickets

Follow Alice as she chases the White Rabbit and finds herself in the strange world of Wonderland. Along the way she crosses paths with the Mad Hatter, Cheshine Cat, Caterpillar, Tweedles and of course the Queen of Hearts.

Directed by Janice Honeyman, the production brings the usual pantomime magic, with plenty of comedy, music and colourful costumes. It is the sort of show that works for both children discovering Wonderland for the first time and adults who already know the story by heart.