Rounding off Joburg Theatre’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, Bernard Jay and Joburg Theatre present the ‘panto of all pantos’ – Janice Honeyman’s brand new mash-up-mega-mix pantomime extravaganza, Adventures in Pantoland. Described as being “next level!” Adventures in Pantoland brings all our favourite panto characters from five pantomimes (Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Snow White, Jack and The Beanstalk and Peter Pan) together in one production.
This is Janice Honeyman’s 32nd pantomime production and it’s a proper good versus evil story that will captivate audiences as the Goblet of Goodness is stolen by the bad guys and the good guys have to find it and bring it back, as she cleverly adds South African spices into the mix that will give the shows it’s local flavour and topicality.
We caught up with Executive Producer of the show, Bernard Jay…
2021 was a year of change brought about as a result of the pandemic and saw the first year that the traditional Qdos physical sets were replaced by digital screens. How has the move into a digital era changed the creative process?
This move enabled the designers to work around the script, rather than the reverse – as Janice Honeyman had needed to adapt her scripts to the scenery we were to receive from Qdos Pantomimes in the UK. Now it really is a true collaboration between writer, director and designers. As the script evolves, so do the designs – enhancing the concept the director has for telling the tale.
How has the move to ‘high-tech scenery’ enhanced the audiences panto experience?
We are now able to take the audiences along with us, wherever the script goes. By using LED screens, animation and graphics there is no limit to the number of locations we can visit in one pantomime.
The annual pantomimes are a theatrical tradition for the festive season in Joburg, and this year sees the return of full capacity theatres since the pandemic, and the 60th celebration of Joburg Theatre. Described as the ‘panto of all pantos’,
Can you give us a sneak peak into the plot?
When Joburg Theatre invited me to create a brand new pantomime for its 60th anniversary,” admits Janice Honeyman, “I instantly became excited and buzzing with ideas in accepting the challenge. This year’s show will be a mash-up-mega-mix of pantomimes, where ever-popular characters such as Princess Aurora, Aladdin, Snow White and Jack the Joller meet on stage with the Wicked Queen Evilina, the Abominable Uncle Abanazar, Madame Kakkeloura Khakibos and the Crooked Captain Hideosa Hook in a Quest Adventure to retain the Golden Goblet of Goodness. ‘Adventures in Pantoland’ is an epic journey of traditional Good Versus Evil. Obviously, good wins out in the end!”
What can audiences expect to experience?
“With all the breath-taking spectacle, magical storytelling, over-the-top comedy and outrageous topical references that Joburg Theatre audiences have grown to expect from the annual pantomime,” adds executive producer of the show, Bernard Jay, in his 21st consecutive pantomime collaboration with Janice Honeyman, “this year’s panto will once again be the ideal all-the-family outing to the theatre.”
Why should one definitely not miss this years ‘Adventures in Pantoland’?
For the same reasons that one should definitely not miss any of the Joburg Theatre’s annual pantomimes!! They become “collectors’ items”!
The cast this year will feature (in alphabetical order):
- Michelle Botha as Empress Wun-Tun-Tum,
- Dylan Du Plessis as Aladdin,
- David Arnold Johnson as The Crooked Captain Hideosa Hook,
- Didintle Khunou as Snow White,
- Ilse Klink as Madame Kakkeloura Khakibos,
- Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala as Floradora-Gloria the Fairy of Goodness-Gracious,
- Carmen Pretorius as Princess Aurora,
- Brenda Sakellarides as The Wicked Queen Evilena Eeeyuuuw,
- Justin Swartz as Jack the Joller,
- Grant Towers as Goop the Green Goblin, and
- Ben Voss as The Abominable Uncle Abanazar.
Dancing, singing and playing every other role in the panto ensemble will be triple-threat performers (also in alphabetical order):
- Louise Duhain, Tarryn Heard, Elsje Lourens, Gareth Meijsen, Katlego Nche, René Setlhako, Thandaza Silwane, Jordan Soares, Logan Timbre, Kensiwe Tshabalala, Stephan Van Der Walt and Donovan Yaards.
Adventures in Pantoland is now on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre and runs until 24 December 2022.
This is the first year since the pandemic that the panto will play to a full house so come out and support the arts and our theatres. Tickets from R260 are available via Webtickets, Joburg Theatre or by calling the Theatre Box Office on 0861 670 670.
Production run-time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including 20 minute interval).
Adventures in Pantoland – Photos by enroC photos & video
