Shows
The Wonderful World of Beatrix Potter
When: 24 March to 21 April 2025
Venue: National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown, 2193 or on tour to schools
Ages: Ages 3 to 10 (and their families and schools)
Cost: R100 per person
Book: www.NCTheatreSA.org/program or Quicket
School Bookings: For pre-primary and primary: Call Maleboheng at 011 484 1584 or email moleboheng@nctheatresa.org.za
Everyone’s favourite rabbit and animals come to life in NCT’s The Wonderful World of Beatrix Potter
Be prepared to be amazed and transported to worlds filled with wondrous beauty and lively atmospheres, courtesy of NCT and the wonderful Beatrix Potter books. NCT’s production is an exciting re-enactment of four Beatrix Potter stories: Mr. Todd, Jeremy Fisher, Squirrel Nutkin and Piggling Bland. These stories move on from naughty Peter Rabbit to enterprising Peter Rabbit and introduce Mr Tod, a fox, who deals with his troublesome neighbour Tommy Brock, a badger. Squirrel Nutkin follows the eponymous rude Nutkin, who clashes with an Owl named Old Brown. The Tale of Jeremy Fisher is the story of a frog named Jeremy Fisher who lives on a pond and gets into trouble one rainy day while fishing for worms. The Tale of Pigling Bland follows a young piglet whose life changes upon meeting a ’soulmate’. Join young all these wonderful characters as they each wish for something different to happen in their lives. Fortunately, Beatrix Potter is in charge of these entertaining stories and all ends well!
Themes: While educational in nature, Ivor Jones, director of The Wonderful World of Beatrix Potter, promises there will be “entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment.”
Othello
When: 22 February 2025 at 10:00
Where: National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown 2193
Ages: Families and learners (especially high-schoolers)
School Bookings: Book Othello at your school 17 to 28 February 2025: moleboheng@nctheatresa.org.za or call 011 484 1584
Get ready to dive into Shakespeare’s Othello at NCT, a refreshing, powerful experience of the play for families and high-school students studying this Shakespeare classic. The timeless masterpiece has been around for more than 400 years and is still as relevant as ever. The play is about military commander Othello, who is manipulated by his subordinate officer Iago into suspecting that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him. The play deals with themes of tragedy, betrayal, love, jealousy and many other deeply human issues. Othello is directed by Lucy Wylde, who is renowned for directing NCT’s The Tempest (2023) and has extensive experience as a Shakespearean actor and director in South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Othello at NCT will be performed outdoors in natural light, with the audience close to the action, and be very immediate, fast, high octane, quick and real. Modern music interludes to help bring the show to life in a contemporary fashion. Learners will experience the play and take their understanding of compelling English setworks like Othello to a whole new level.
The Lion King JR!
When: 9, 10, 16, 24, 29 November and 1, 6, 7 8 December 2024, at 11:30 and 14:00
Where: National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown 2193
Ages: 7 and up, suitable for the whole family
School Bookings: hello@nctheatresa.org.za or call 011 484 1584
Welcome to The Lion King JR! The timeless story of Disney’s The Lion King – which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year – will roar to life in Gauteng as part of a new collaboration between National Children’s Theatre and Disney Theatrical Group later in November-December. 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 first 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!
NCT acknowledges with great appreciation its partners and sponsors: Disney Theatrical Group and BASA
The Hobbit
When: 14 September to 6 October 2024
Where: National Children’s Theatre (indoors) 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown, 2193
Ages: Age 7 and up
Cost: R140 per adult, R120 per child
School Bookings: hello@nctheatresa.org.za or call 011 484 1584
The Hobbit is a children’s fantasy novel by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published in 1937 to wide critical acclaim and remains popular and is recognized as a classic in children’s literature. NCT’s one-hour version is a suspenseful, fast-moving journey through Middle Earth by the home-loving hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. When Gandalf the Wizard knocks at Bilbo’s door, bringing with him Thorin Oakenshield, 11 ragged looking dwarfs, and a contract for an adventure to recover the lost treasure of Lonely Mountain guarded by Smaug, the dragon, Bilbo could not be less interested—at first. But Bilbo’s love of a good story gets the better of him, and before he knows it, he’s off on a perilous quest over a mountain and under hill through caves and forests until the final resolution and success, not only for Bilbo but for all of the Hobbits who inhabit Middle Earth—and the hearts of those children and adults who continue to enjoy this special kind of magic and adventure.
Themes: Personal growth (maturity, competence, and wisdom, applying one’s wits and common sense). Heroism. Coming to terms with world weariness. Understanding how greed destroys the human soul. Motifs of warfare.
My Children! My Africa!
When: On deand
Venue: NCT will tour to schools in Jozi, Gauteng and beyond
Booking: Call Lebo at 011 484 1584 or hello@nNCTheatreSA.org.za
Ages: Grade 11 and 12
NCT’s outstanding production of this matric setwork brings to life a story that is as valid today as it was at its premiere in 1989 which was directed by Athol Fugard himself. We’re delighted Kathy-Jo Ross, who was cast by Fugard as the first Isobel, acting with John Kani as Mr M and Rapulana Seiphemo as Thami, is once again in the director’s seat, her fourth year and with a new cast. Set in 1985 in the Western Cape, the play begins with a debate between Isabel a girl from a posh white school, and Thami a boy from the poor Location, under the auspices of dedicated teacher Mr M. Debate is the play’s central motif; the characters argue ideals and political positions with each other, then step forward and present their positions to us. But debate is not only between the obvious: black and white, powerful and powerless, privileged and impoverished. It’s also between old and young, tradition and revolution, male and female, private and public, talk and action. All the characters are kind, smart and admirable, and each wins our affection and our allegiance, making it a challenge to take easy sides.O
The Red Balloon
When: On demand
Venue: NCT’s Inspiration Theatre or NCT will tour to your school in Jozi, Gauteng and beyond
Booking: Call Lebo at 011 484 1584 or hello@NCTheatreSA.org
Innocence Lost
When: On demand
Venue: NCT’s Inspiration Theatre or NCT will tour to your school in Jozi, Gauteng and beyond
Booking: Call Lebo at 011 484 1584 or hello@NCTheatreSA.org.za
Ages: Grades 6 and up
NCT proudly presents Innocence Lost, an outstanding educational theatre project designed to inform vulnerable teenagers of the dangers of being trafficked, and how to recognise and deal with would-be traffickers. The play goes on tour to schools in June 2023, mainly in Soweto where much girl child trafficking takes place. This program is an example of how education through theatre arts can help communities across South Africa engage with the challenging issue of stopping child trafficking, especially girl trafficking. Girl child trafficking is a social crime in which teenagers, but especially girls generally from poverty-stricken backgrounds, are attracted by promises of money, employment, social dignity and a bright future. Too late they discover that none of the promises are genuine. They have landed in a life of slavery and misery. This program intends to inform vulnerable youth and help them become aware of the horrors that result from being trafficked. Innocence Lost is based on a true story and is a sad and shocking story.
Themes: Child trafficking awareness, dangers, challenging traffickers and those who prey on vulnerable children, teacher, parent and community awareness, help and resource
