Christmas 2023 is almost here and it’s time for a treat. An outing to the theatre is an absolute Christmas must! Joburg offers a great variety of productions, so there’s something which will appeal to every one.
Of course, if you don’t live in or near the city then accommodation will be needed. The Jack Rose (JR) is the perfect solution. Situated in the heart of Rosebank it is equidistant from Sandton, Fourways and the CBD. Reserve your room today! Contact
Here is a peek into what lies ahead
MonteCasino (Fourways)
Swingle Bells – Jonathan Roxmouth
Date: 15 – 24 December
Venue: The Teatro
Fabulous entertainment for the entire family. Talented pianist – Jonathan Roxmouth will be joined on stage by the 17-piece Johannesburg Big Band.
Jonathan adds his touch to classics such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman among others, intermingled with your favourite Christmas Carols.
Book today! Webtickets
Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol
Date: 29 Nov – 10 Dec
Venue: Pieter Tourien Theatre
This production has been described as has been described as “a sumptuous banquet for the eyes, ears and imagination; a sensory delight for any tired soul. This is the perfect show to celebrate humanity, family and above all, generosity of spirit!”
Adapted by Elizma Badenhorst, ‘A Christmas Carol’ has played to sold-out audiences for the past 5 years.
Reserve your seat at WebTickets
The Nutcracker by Joburg Ballet
Date: 1 – 10 Dec
Venue: the Teatro
Enter the Clara’s fairy tale world where Christmas presents come alive. Join the journey to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and visit the Kingdom of Sweets. This is Festive Season magic at its best.
Sumptuous sets and exquisite dance sequences by Joburg Ballet bring Tchaikovsky’s musical masterpiece to life. It’s an outing which will be enjoyed by the entire family.
Do not miss out, book now! WebTickets
Sandton City Centre Court
Momo’s Magical Adventure
Date: 8 Dec 2023 – 7 Jan 2024
Sandton City is pulling out all the stops this festive season. Christmas 2023 sees the erection of a specially designed theatre tent in the Centre court.
An invitation has been extended to one-and-all to meet 8-year-old Momo and her friends. A magical adventure lies ahead.
The songs and dances are sure to enthrall. There are four shows per day! Book here
The Market Theatre (Newtown)
A Marry Little Christmas
Date: 29 Nov – 24 Dec
Venue: The John Kani Stage
If comedy is your vibe then ‘A Marry Little Christmas’ should be your choice. Hosted by the Market Theatre in collaboration with How Now Brown Cow productions, this performance will have you rolling in the aisles.
‘A Marry Little Christmas’ is a brand new South African comedy scripted by Greg Homann – Artistic Director of the Market Theatre.
The cast is stellar too: Anthony Coleman, James Borthwick, Kim Cloete, Judy Ditchfield, Louise Saint-Claire, Ilse Klink, Roberto Pombo, Zolani Shangase and Trevor Lynch. Directed by Charmaine Weir-Smith, this is set to be yet another Christmas 2023 delight. Book at WebTickets today!
The Terrified Talabalushi
Dates: 22 Nov – 17 Dec
Written by Megan Choritz, ‘The Terrified Talabalushi’ has been created for a young audience. It is a theatre piece with music directed by Omphile Molusi and composed by Volley Nchabeleng.
The setting is the Knysna Forest. Tokkie, the talabalushi is terrified of everything. His family just does not know what they can do to help him… and then there’s Andie! Is he the solution?
Booking is via WebTickets.
The Cirk, Cresta Shopping Centre
Urban Circus
Dates: 11 Nov – 23 Dec
Now for an absolute winner! If you enjoy Cirque de Soleil then this production and this new venue has to be at the top of your Christmas 2023 wish list.
The Cirk at Cresta Shopping Centre is a theatrical destination of note… and this particular production is entitled ‘Urban Circus’. Nine talented performers take to the stage to wow the audience with awe-inducing acrobatics and dance-moves. “Urban Circus is an exhilarating exploration of city life exploding with dramatic and comic potential,” state the organisers. “The show invites the audience on a white-knuckled ride through a town turned on its head and dangling by its toes from the skyscrapers.”
Joburg Theatre Complex (Braamfontein)
Janice Honeyman’s Peter Pan
Dates: 22 Nov – 24 Dec
Venue: Mandela Theatre
What can we say? Janice Honeyman is a legend and her pantomimes are synonymous with the festive season in Johannesburg.
“I absolutely love the story of Peter Pan, because it has so many elements to it,” states Janice. “Firstly (there’s) the magic of the flying is my favourite part of the show – most children and adults dream of flying. Then there is the magic of the story. What I’m trying to do this year, to differentiate from the last two Peter Pan productions, is to highlight more issues that children, teenagers and young adults deal with, like bullying, being left out, feelings of rejection…This story lends itself to addressing these topics in a very subtle way. It will be a reworked script with the same favourite characters, and I am so excited to share this with everyone.”
Sandi Dlangala debuts in his first pantomime at the Joburg Theatre as Peter Pan. He has performed in many National Children’s Theatre productions, so is no stranger to the Johannesburg theatrical scene.
Ben Voss, on the other hand, has gained notoriety over the years for his fabulous pantomime performances. For the Christmas 2023 pantomime, Ben takes on the role of Captain Hook. Other theatre productions include his alter-ego Beauty Ramapelepele as well as three Mamba satires to name but some.
Michael Richards transforms into Hook’s trusty sidekick – Smee. Other cast members include: Kiruna Lind-Devar (Wendy); David Arnold Johnson (Dame Clementina Coconut), Virtuous Kandemiri Tinkerbell) to name but some.
Reservations are absolutely essential… we recommend that you don’t leave booking your seats till the last minute. Tickets are available through WebTickets.
Shrek The Musical JR
Dates: 7 Nov – 24 Dec
Venue: The People’s Theatre
Shrek JR the musical is out to capture the hearts of all the children in Johannesburg. Imaginative sets and costumes together with familiar characters will take the audience members – young and old into Shrek’s swamp. His quest? To rescue Princess Fiona from the dragon-guarded tower.
The production is based on the Oscar-winning Dreamworks animation.
Book today at WebTickets.
Festival of Lights at The Joburg Zoo
Under the Auspices of the Joburg Theatre a visit to the Zoo at night during Christmas 2023 will be filled with additional excitement. There are performances scheduled for every week from 1 December. The programme will be included in our next article.
National Children’s Theatre (Parktown)
The Red Balloon
Dates: 7 – 16 Dec
Back by popular demand, National Children’s Theatre’s The Red Balloon tells the story of a grumpy old man celebrating his birthday alone when a magical balloon appears at his window.
Reserve your seats via Quicket.
A Year with Frog and Toad
Dates: 7 – 23 Dec
Spring is here, and Frog and Toad awake from their hibernation with plans to renew their friendship – starting with a swim. But Toad is very anxious about being seen in a bathing suit. Will they manage to have as much fun as they used to?
Book through Quicket.