Announcing The Lion King JR's return to NCT
Welcome to The Lion King JR! The timeless story of Disney’s The Lion King – which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 – will roar to life again in Gauteng as part of a continued collaboration between National Children’s Theatre and Disney Theatrical Group later in April-May 2025. NCT will stage The Lion King JR, Disney’s Junior production of the internationally celebrated musical, with a cast of 50 young learners. This will be the second time the Junior production is performed in South Africa!
Journey with us through the African savanna – from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again – and meet Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters who will perform classic songs including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Experience the magic and value of friendship, family and responsibility as we find our place in the Circle of Life.
This show is perfect for the whole family and schools!
When: April 2025
Where: National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown 2193
Ages: The whole family, and especially 7 and up
Book: Coming soon
Schools: Please call Moleboheng at NCT at 011 484 1584 or email moleboheng@NCTheatreSA.org.
Announcing NCT's show schedule for 2025
1. Othello, on tour to schools 10 -28 FEB and 22 FEB at NCT. Book now!
2. NCT’s Young Director Festival at NCT 22–23 MARCH. Booking opens soon
3. The Wonderful World of Beatrix Potter at NCT and on tour to schools 24 MAR-21 APRIL Booking opens soon
4. Disney’s The Lion King JR at NCT 26 APRIL–11 MAY. Booking opens soon
5. Poetry for High Schools on tour to schools 12-30 MAY
6. NCT’s Shakespeare Festival at NCT 12-17 MAY
7. The Railway Children at NCT 16 JUNE–20 JULY
8. Disney’s High School Musical at NCT 6 JULY-20 JULY
9. The Owl who was afraid of the Dark at NCT 28 JUL–16 AUG
10. The Mantis and the Moon at NCT 10 SEPT-27 SEPT
11. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at NCT 18 NOV–23 DEC
School Bookings: Please call Moleboheng at NCT at 011 484 1584 or email moleboheng@nctheatresa.org.za
Shifting Moira Katz & Eleonore Godfroy
After 10 years of steering NCT’s growth and ambition as CEO, and completion of our rebranding effort, Moira Katz has a new and vital role: In this iteration, Moira’s vision and expertise will be accessed through her new role as NCTT Board Director for Special Projects. Day-to-day oversight will now be in the warm and capable hands of Eleonore Godfroy, NCT’s new CEO (and former longtime Trustee).
Passionate about the arts, making a difference and living consciously, Eleonore has been involved in the creative and marketing industries for the past 20 years. Before establishing herself in Johannesburg in 2006, Eleonore started her professional career in London where she worked at Christie’s auction house, and Sadler’s Wells, London’s leading dance organisation. On arrival in South Africa, Eleonore joined the FNB Dance Umbrella team, and spent 7 years at the French Institute of South Africa. She is delighted to join National Children’s Theatre as the CEO and hopes to continue the work done by Moira Katz and Joyce Levinsohn to transform children’s lives through theatre.
Renewing Disney's partnership and announcing new partners
The timeless story of Disney’s The Lion King will roar to life again at NCT in April 2025 as part of the continued collaboration between National Children’s Theatre (NCT) and Disney Theatrical Group (DTG). NCT will stage The Lion King Jr, Disney’s Junior production of the internationally celebrated musical, which will be the second time the Junior production is performed in South Africa.
This show is the culmination of NCT’s continuing education initiative, the “Musical Theatre in Schools” programme. With thanks to the Wesseles Foundation, in 2025 NCT facilitators will again work closely with five primary schools in Gauteng. Together they will deliver life skills, creative curriculum, training and inspiration to teachers and learners to ensure that the skills and ideas generated by the programme are transferred to the school teams and the benefits felt for years to come.
Again select learners from each of the five schools, together with NCT’s Saturday Workshop learners, will join NCT’s new Youth Theatre Company to learn a wide range of new theatrical skills, widening their exposure to the world of musical theatre.
