JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at Joburg Theatre

The annual pantomime, produced by Bernard Jay and written and directed by Janice Honeyman, opened at the Joburg Theatre's Nelson Mandela Auditorium last night. Cleverly created text combines with beautiful design and innovative choreography and, all comes together in a spectacular and hilarious festive season offering. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK runs until December 30th 2012.

We all know the story of Jack and how he goes to the market to sell his cow and comes home with some magic beans. Which then grow into an enormous beanstalk, climbing to the sky where a giant lives. But Janice Honeyman’s telling of the JACK AND THE BEANSTALK story is sure to be one of the craziest and original versions ever! With a star cast, the best of South African creative talent behind the scenes and surprises galore on stage, kids and parents alike will be laughing uproariously and singing along to the songs (with or without the song sheet).

Needing no introduction (or explanation!), South Africa’s most loved panto star TOBIE CRONJÉ returns again this year as the evil Henry Hideosa, the Giant’s assistant.

DESMOND DUBE dons the usual over-the-top gowns as Dame Dudu Dludlu. Award-winning actor and comedian, Desmond is much loved for the Sasol Amaglug-glug advert. His feature film credits include Hotel Rwanda, Millennium Menace and Panic Mechanic and he played the character of BK in The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, which was nominated for an Emmy Award. Desmond last appeared in panto at Joburg Theatre in 2006 as Dame Winnie Wotalotigot in Janice Honeyman’s Aladdin.

BONGI MTHOMBENI will play the title role of Jack. Bongi charmed audiences last year as Prince Charming in Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella. He is best known as one of the Top 10 finalists on the sixth season of the M-Net reality competition Idols, in 2010.

And no panto would be complete without the hero’s “love interest”, who - of course - he gets to marry and walk down a lot of steps with at the end of the show! This year, the character of Raspberry Rose will be played by South Africa’s musical theatre star CARLY GRAEME. Carly achieved personal triumph with her leading role in Joburg Theatre’s World Cup 2010 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton’s musical The Boys In The Photograph.

The comic role of the Mayoress will be played by NANDI NYEMBE. Nandi is best known for her role as Nandi Sibiya on the TV soccer drama Zone 14 and for her role as Sister Lizzie on the SABC1 drama series Soul City.

Multi-award winning actress LOUISE SAINT-CLAIRE is taking on this year’s fairy, Felma-Fabbadabba-dozy. This is Louise’s second panto at Joburg Theatre: she previously won many admirers with her hilarious send-up of Helen Zille in Janice Honeyman’s Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates in 2010.

The full company of the panto also includes David Clatworthy, Nicol Sheraton, Clint Lesch, Jarryd Nurden, Hector Leigh, Weslee Swain Lauder, Emil E Haarhoff, Ziyanda Yako, Dionne Song, Zeena Edwards, Noni Mkhonto, Tanielle Powell and Diani Gernandt.

Cheer the hero, boo the villain, and revel in the stunning costumes and magical scenery for which Joburg Theatre pantomimes are so renowned.

Michael Rubenstein, head of group marketing at BankservAfrica, explains they’re very excited to once again be sponsoring South Africa’s most loved theatre production, the pantomime. “After the wonderful success from last year’s Cinderella, we believe Jack and The Beanstalk will again enthral the young and the young at heart.”

Over 35,000 tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk have already been sold. So book now before it’s too late. Again! It’s the ultimate Christmas treat – there’s nothing better to put you in an exuberant festive spirit! And, of course, it’s the ultimate family entertainment.

Tickets for preview performances range from R140 to R240 and for all other performances from R190 to R290: on sale now by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com, or by calling the theatre’s direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670.

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling the theatre on (011) 877 6853/4.

Hospitality packages are available for the pantomime in one of Joburg Theatre’s private function venues and the News Café – please call Headline Leisure Management for more information: (011) 877 6834 / hospitality@joburgtheatre.com.

JANICE HONEYMAN’S JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is brought to you at Joburg Theatre by BankservAfrica, in association with M-Net, Jacaranda FM and Your Family Magazine.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Collett Dawson

082 653 1338

collett@joburgtheatre.com