The actors in Adventures of Pantoland at Joburg Theatre exude chemistry and infectious energy on stage

The production runs from November 6-to December 24, 2022 in Nelson Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

This pantomime has been talked about for months leading up to its opening on Sunday. Marketed as the mother of all pantomimes, “a panto of all pantos” I got to witness magic on stage alongside other fans of legendary pantomime creator Janice Honeyman. The magic on stage made one to realise that the hype leading to the opening was not just empty hype.

This production is actually the real deal. You could tell that the audience were enjoying themselves especially as demonstrated by their quick gulping of their drinks during the break, something that does not always happen during a theatrical production as often the bell has to ring several times before audiences oblige and get back into the theatre take their seats. 

Getting the audiences back into the theatre on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at Joburg Theatre in the Nelson Mandela Theatre was effortless. And one thing that is good about a pantomime is that both adults and the young ones can enjoy equally. In fact Adventures in Pantoland is entertainment at its best for the whole family. Many an audience member almost sat on the edges of their seats as they hungered to catch every beat of magic by these talented actors on stage.

Although Honeyman always produces great pantos this one she out did herself. This is indeed a great piece of entertainment that everyone who loves good theatre must do themselves a favour by going to watch this one, which runs till December 24.

I loved the energy, the chemistry between the actors and good acting by the talent on stage. This production reminded me of the good old days of good theatre pre-Covid-19 and its disruption of theatre programming.

And here is a narrative of how kit all started.

In 1992, the then Johannesburg Civic Theatre presented writer/director Janice Honeyman’spantomime ‘Sinbad’s African Adventures’as its end-of-year festive season attraction. Now, 30 years later-and as the 27th annual Janice Honeyman pantomime on the Nelson Mandela Theatre stage of Joburg Theatre–the Panto of All Pantos, ‘Adventures in Pantoland’,marks the finale of Joburg Theatre’s 60th Anniversary celebrations.

“When Joburg Theatre invited me to create a brand new pantomime for its 60thanniversary,” admits Honeyman, “I instantly became excited and buzzing with ideas in accepting the challenge. This year’s show is 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!”“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 21stconsecutive pantomime collaboration with Honeyman,

“This year’s panto once again is ideal for all-the-family outing to the theatre. ”The panto’s all-star cast features (in alphabetical order) Michelle Botha, Dylan du Plessis, David Arnold Johnson, Didintle Khunou, Ilse Klink, Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala, Carmen Pretorius, Brenda Radloff, Justin Swartz, Grant Towers and BenVoss.Production designer Andrew Timm–Naledi Theatre Award winner for his acclaimed designs of the pantomime ‘Cinderella’in 2021–is returning to transform Joburg Theatre’s state-of-the-art technology into a magical wonderland of globally-travelled adventures, along with panto veteran costume designer Bronwen Lovegrove.  

Oohs! and Aahs! and Wow Moments are guaranteed!‘ Adventures in Pantoland’  is on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre from November6 to December 24, 2022.Tickets from R260 are available now by visiting www.joburgtheatre.comor by calling 0861 670 670. Terrific discount prices are available for groups of  10 more. Follow the pantomime on social media: @JoburgTheatre #PantolandSA