Experience the Magic of African Storytelling Live on Stage!
Peoples Theatre is thrilled to announce an extraordinary brand new production, Imagine Africa: Our Stories Brought to Life, taking the stage for a limited season.
There is a special significance to bringing these vibrant narratives to life, featuring stories created by the world-renowned author and legendary storyteller, Dr. Gcina Mhlophe. Audiences will be treated to her captivating tales, including beloved classics like Golden Windows, How the Lion Got His Roar and Horns Only, alongside a dynamic selection of popular music.
About Dr. Gcina Mhlophe
Dr. Gcina Mhlophe is a celebrated author, storyteller, and the founding director of the Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust. Her works have been translated into numerous languages, including all official South African languages as well as iswahili, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and even Braille.
Dr. Mhlophe’s accolades include a SAMA for her CD Stories of Africa, the OBBIE and Joseph Jeerson Awards in the USA, the Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival, the MultiChoice AFRICA Legend Storyteller Award, the USIBA Cultural Legend Award, the SA Children’s Laureate Award, and, most recently, the SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award for her acting and contributions to film in South Africa.
As a leading figure in South African storytelling, her birthday, October 24th, has been designated National Storytelling Day since 2019, celebrated at her own venue, The Storytelling Tree, in Durban.
These literary treasures in Imagine Africa: Our Stories Brought to Life celebrate our rich heritage and the timeless oral tradition of Africa. There is no better time than Heritage Month being in September to give these literary gems the spotlight.
Brought to life through pure imagination, clever props, vibrant costumes, and expertly chosen music will have audiences singing along throughout the show.
An exceptional cast guides audiences into a world filled with magical wonder, rhythm, African wildlife, and a delightful array of characters.
Through a signature style of theatre-in-education and active audience participation, theatre-goers do not just watch the performance, they step directly into the stories as the characters themselves.
By helping characters navigate challenges and solve problems in real time, children will learn first-hand that even the smallest heroes can make a massive impact.
This interactive experience offers profound educational benefits that champion community, language development and teamwork, making it an unforgettable journey across the continent that will inspire the next generation of African storytellers.
Producer/Director Jill Girard concludes;
“Imagine Africa is such an exciting project, not only do we have Gcina’s exciting stories come to life on stage, but the children in the audience will take part. This is interactive theatre at its best, guided by a superb professional cast.”
Get ready to step into a world where imagination takes centre stage!
Meet The Cast:
- From a young age, Bethany-Joy Jiyane harbored grand aspirations of becoming a performer. In 2013, she made the pivotal decision to leave her small hometown and embarked on a journey to realize her dreams by enrolling in the Musical Theatre program at the Tshwane University of Technology. Subsequently, she participated in numerous productions at both the National Children’s Theatre and the Peoples Theatre. In addition to her qualifications in Musical Theatre, she is a trained puppeteer, having received specialized training from Sesame Street and grounded in a strong musical theatre foundation Bethany continues to shape engaging, high-calibre performances.
- Boikie Mogorosi is a diligent writer, actor, physical theatre performer and a voice artist. His artistic journey began in 2007 as an aspiring writer and swiftly transitioned into acting in 2008 as he explored acting as a method of telling stories. In 2014, Boikie enrolled with TUT’s Department of Film and Drama where he studied the art of Drama, specializing in Script Writing, Singing, Theatre Dance and Voice Performances. He’s participated in numerous theatre, Film & TV productions both in and out of school, such as; The Ungrateful Lion, End Game, Kgosi Tau and Karoo Moose – to name a few. Through his craft, Boikie, strives to learn, share and connect with people of all demographics, and inspire them to explore.
- Khosi Mkhonza is an actress and filmmaker who graduated from AFDA and has worked on various television, film and theatre productions. Her theatre credits include; Who’s Next, Winnie the Pooh, Shrek the Musical and Disney’s Alladin in the lead role of Jasmine. She has also featured in film productions such as Do Your Worst – Netflix and London Recruits. Khosi has voiced various animated characters for popular children’s shows such as Cocomelon, Rubble & Crew and Dora the Explorer in isiZulu. She is a driven storyteller whose skills include writing, singing, dancing, visual art, and production design.
- Luciano Zuppa started his professional career almost 42 years ago performing in cabaret shows. His career has taken him on tours all over South Africa and around the world in shows like Cabaret Revues at the famed No 58 Theatre Restaurant in Hillbrow. He has sung, danced and acted his way through the musicals; The Pirates of Penzance, Singing in the Rain, My Fair Lady, Grease, Hair, The King and I, Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert, and the musical trilogy; Sweeney Todd, Sweet Charity and Candide. Some career highlights have been performing the lead roles in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma! and West Side Story. Luciano has played lead and feature roles in many Peoples Theatre Productions, some of the most outstanding being Shrek, Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Horton in Suessical and the terrorizing Miss. Trunchbull in Matilda. He continues to offer his expert performances in this upcoming production of Imagine Africa – Our Stories Brought to Life!
Imagine Africa – Our Stories Brought to Life Creative Team:
- Produced by Peoples Pre Productions
- Directed by Jill Girard
- Set Design by Grant Knottenbelt
- Costumes by Luciano Zuppa
- Choreography by Sandy Dyer Richardson
- Musical Direction by Coenraad Rall
- Publicity by Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network
Show Information
Imagine Africa: Our Stories Brought to Life
Dates:
15 September to 4 October 2026
Times:
For schools: Tuesday to Friday at 9am and 11am
For public: 10h30 and 14h30 – Weekends and school holidays
Venue:
Peoples Theatre at Joburg Theatre
Ticket Prices:
R180 per person for members of the public
R145 if you are a member of the Peoples Theatre Kids Club
R155 for public accompanying members
For School group rates, please contact the theatre directly
Bookings:
Tickets now on sale through Webtickets or select Pick n Pay stores
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The Kids’ Club
Children who join the Kids’ Club for just R155.00 a year receive discounted rates on tickets and also get to enjoy free entrance to a show that falls closest to their birthday. Kids Club members receive fun newsletters and stand to win fabulous prizes in exciting competitions. So why not come and spend some quality time at the Peoples Theatre.
