Fun at People’s Theatre

A LOT of fun is lined up for young fans of the funny wooden puppet who wants to be a boy, at the People’s Theatre in Braamfontein.

The cast of PinocchioThe cast of PinocchioPinocchio is at the theatre until 10 April, retelling the classic tale of the wooden puppet that undergoes a moral journey in order to become a real boy.

Before he can become a real boy, his dearest wish, Pinocchio needs to prove that he is honest, brave, truthful and unselfish. Cricket, his best friend, acts as his conscience, yet Pinocchio still finds himself on the wrong side of the law.

After much trouble and strife, however, he realises who loves him and he sets off to rescue his maker-father, Geppetto, from the belly of a whale. In this unselfish act, Pinocchio shows that he truly deserves to be a real boy.

Lebogang Mpahlele, Emmanuel Girard, Noni Mkhonto, Stefan Carstens and Gopala Chetty feature in the play. All have performed in previous People’s Theatre productions, except Chetty, who is appearing on its stage for the first time.

“About 400 candidates auditioned in the beginning of February for this production; however only 22 were chosen and they have been rehearsing every day for the past three weeks,” says Jill Girard, the producer. “Theatre lovers can expect a special theatre production that will touch their hearts with a lot of fun and interaction as well as nice music that will keep them humming all the way home.”

Children especially are expected to love the fun production, which is filled with great songs and has a strong educational message. It is on at the People’s Theatre until 10 April; show times are at 9.30am and 11am from Monday to Friday, and at 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturdays.

Tickets are R50 per person for special school performances and R70 for accompanying adults. Other tickets are R99 each. To make group bookings for schools, contact the theatre on 011 403 1563 or on peoplestheatre@artslik.co.za.

Joburg Theatre tickets are now only directly available from the theatre, either online for print-at-home tickets, on the new direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670.

Joburg Theatre is on Loveday Street in Braamfontein, with parking facilities on the corner of Simmonds Street and Stiemens Road. The theatre complex is made up of the People’s Theatre, the Mandela Theatre, the Fringe Theatre and Space.com.