Shows
Disney's Dare to Dream JR
YOU ALREADY KNOW EVERY SONG
Hakuna Matata. Let It Go. Be Our Guest. When You Wish Upon a Star. Surface Pressure. You’ve Got a Friend in Me. Now imagine them performed live, on a professional Johannesburg stage, by fifteen dazzling young South African artists. Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. is a brand-new musical revue celebrating 100 years of Disney magic—featuring contemporary anthems from Encanto, Moana, Frozen and Coco alongside the timeless classics you grew up loving. Directed by the incomparable Ivor Jones, this is the show the whole family has been waiting for—even if you didn’t know it yet.
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. runs from 29 September to 11 October 2026 at NCT, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown. 60 minutes, no interval, suitable for all ages.
Only 30 performances. Families and schools, book your groups early. Don’t wait.”
Director: Ivor Jones
When: 29 September–11 October 2026
Where: NCT, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown, Johannesburg
Find tickets: [LINK]
Schools: Call Nthabiseng Mmethi at 011 484 1584 or email nthabiseng@NCTheatreSA.org.za
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at NCT
National Children’s Theatre, proudly supported by Standard Bank, is delighted to announce our final production of the year: Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, running 10 November–20 December.
Following the magic of Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. this October, NCT closes 2026 with the ultimate festive tale, the story of a grumpy, green-hearted grinch, a town called Whoville, and one small girl named Cindy-Lou Who who reminds us all what the season is really about. Brought to life with NCT’s signature warmth, humour, and heart by Ivor Jones, this production is the perfect way for families and schools to celebrate the holidays together.
Don’t let the Grinch steal your holiday plans. Book early, as our festive productions sell out fast.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
When: 10 November–20 December 2026
Where: NCT, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown 2193
For: Families, school groups, and Grinch fans of all ages
Find Tickets:
School Bookings: Call Nthabiseng Mmethi at 011 484 1584 or nthabiseng@NCTheatreSA.org
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical — TM & © 1957, 2018 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.
Innocence Lost: On Demand
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
AESOP'S FABLES
AESOP’S FABLES
Funny, fast-paced, and full of surprises, Aesop’s Fables is a 45–50-minute theatrical adventure learners, families and schools will be talking about long after the curtain falls. Book now!
Some stories are too good to forget, and too important not to tell again. Aesop’s Fables returns to NCT’s stage in a vibrant new production that brings the world’s most beloved moral tales to life with local flavour, contemporary energy, and plenty of heart. Through bold storytelling, physical play, and infectious humour, this production reimagines the classics we grew up with: The Tortoise and the Hare, The Grasshopper and the Ant, The Lion and the Mouse, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and The North Wind and the Sun for a new generation of young South African audiences.
Directed by Devon Flemmer, these enduring fables speak to something timeless in all of us: The rewards of honesty, the power of perseverance, the quiet strength of kindness, and the wisdom of thinking before we act.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
When: 10–30 August 2026 (Preview: 8 August | Opening: Saturday, 15 August)
Times: Tuesday–Thursday & Sunday at 10:30; Friday & Saturday at 10:30 and 14:30
Where: NCT, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown, Johannesburg
Run Time: Approximately 45–50 minutes (no interval)
For: Families and school learners from age 4 onwards.
School Bookings: Contact Nthabiseng Mmethi, 011 484 1584 or 076 115 2304, nthabiseng@NCTheatreSA.org.za
Disney's The Lion King JR. The Pride Lands come alive: Bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking than ever.
South Africa’s most beloved children’s theatre production returns for its most spectacular season yet at National Children’s Theatre 03-19 July 2026.
Disney’s The Lion King JR. brings the magic of one of the world’s best-loved stories to the stage, with iconic songs, breathtaking choreography, and the raw, joyful talent of 70 extraordinary young performers aged 7 to 13 who bring the Pride Lands to life as the circle of life continues. Young Simba has big shoes, or rather, big paws, to fill. After the loss of his father Mufasa, he flees the Pride Lands, haunted by guilt and pursued by his scheming uncle Scar. But with the help of the irrepressible Timon and Pumbaa, and guided by the wisdom of those he loves, Simba discovers his true destiny.
Now in its third season, this year’s production is brand new: Newly directed, choreographed, and entirely reimagined. Whether it’s your first time or your third, this is the season not to miss.
Led by Artistic Director Ivor Jones and directed by Game Bovana, this all-new production is choreographed by Oscar Buthelezi, bringing fresh movement, energy, and vision to every scene. Alongside our cast of 70 performers, who are already rehearsing and pouring their hearts into this production, NCT is proud to welcome back the choir of Donaldson Primary School whose voices add a dimension of beauty and community that makes this production truly special.
This is National Children’s Theatre’s most ambitious production of The Lion King JR. to date, reimagined from the ground up, and performed exclusively at NCT. If you’ve seen it before, you haven’t seen it like this. Right here, in Parktown.
When: 03 – 19 July 2026 at 10:30 and 14:30
Where: NCT, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown 2193
Ages: Families and Schools
Find Tickets: https://nctsa.io/BookTheLionKingJR
School Bookings: Call Nthabiseng Mmethi 011 484 1584 or nthabiseng@NCTheatreSA.org.za
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
Based on the beloved story by Jill Tomlinson. Meet Plop, a baby barn owl who is just like every other barn owl—except for one thing: he’s afraid of the dark! “Dark is nasty,” Plop insists, refusing to go hunting with his parents. But when his wise mother sends him on a journey of discovery, Plop encounters a magical cast of characters who each reveal something wonderful about the night: a boy waiting for fireworks, an old lady, a scout camping under the stars, a girl who knows about Father Christmas, a stargazer with a telescope, and a sleek black cat who takes him on a rooftop adventure. Through these enchanting encounters, Plop learns that dark isn’t scary at all—it’s exciting, kind, fun, necessary, fascinating, wonderful, and beautiful.
This heartwarming tale has been treasured by families for over five decades, offering gentle reassurance to children navigating their own nighttime fears. Filled with Tomlinson’s signature humor and warmth, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark is an uplifting story about courage, curiosity, and discovering that the things we fear often hold unexpected magic. Perfect for Pre-Primary and Primary School audiences and their families!
Show Information
Dates: 17 March to 24 April 2026
Venue: NCT, 3 Junction Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Ages: Pre-Primary and Primary School children (ages 4-10) and families
Run Time: Approximately 50-55 minutes (no interval)
Find Tickets: Ticket bookings open here and on Quicket on 04 February 2026
School Bookings: Nthabiseng Mmethi at 011 484 1584 or nthabiseng@nctheatresa.org.za.
