Robin Hood set to thrill Joburg Theatre fans
11 October 2016
The annual pantomime returns to the Joburg Theatre next month with the staging of theatre doyenne Janice Honeyman’s latest hilarious production, “Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood”.
Combining the much-loved legend of Robin Hood and Hansel and Gretel, Honeyman’s production is once again expected to leave audiences spellbound. The plot sees the young and naïve Hansel and Gretel visit their sly uncle, the Sheriff of Nottingham, who, unbeknown to them, is plotting their demise.
Facing peril, Hansel and Gretel are rescued by the most famous English outlaw of all time – the green-capped Robin Hood – and his band of Merry Men, together with Maid Marian and the Spirit of the Forest.
“It’s an exciting year for us when Janice Honeyman writes a brand new pantomime script,” says Bernard Jay, Joburg Theatre’s Pantomime Executive Producer.
“We don’t know exactly what to expect until the last minute but we do know it will be full of her magical flair for storytelling, spectacular special effects, zany comedy and outrageous double entendres!”
“Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood” is the 16th Joburg Theatre’s pantomime production from the collaborative partnership of writer and director Honeyman and producer Jay. More than 30 000 tickets have already been sold for this year’s production, which features several local celebrities including Izak Davel of the “Isidingo” fame, who will play the role of Robin Hood; the adored Desmond Dube as the jolly Friar Tuck; “Idols” finalist Bongi Mthombeni as the dandy Will Scarlet; and leading lady of South African musical theatre Kate Normington as Silly Sylviana, the Spirit of the Forest.
They also include Graham Hopkins, who plays conniving Norman the Nasty, Sheriff of Nottingham. The wildly popular panto Dame Emmarentia Ugly is played by LJ Urbani, while Maid Marian, Robin Hood’s love interest, is played by the gorgeous Carmen Pretorius.
The show runs from 6 November to 30 December. Tickets start from R220 and are available on www.joburgtheatre.com or through 0861 670 670. They are also available through Webtickets and at Pick n Pay stores. For group bookings of 10 or more call (011) 877-6853/6815.