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Joburg’s festive season would feel rather underdressed without a Janice Honeyman pantomime. This year, Joburg Theatre is going all in on imagination as Alice in Wonderland tumbles onto the Mandela Stage from 28 October to 24 December 2026.
Lewis Carroll’s curious world of late rabbits, troublesome tarts and tea parties without an apparent exit strategy provides ideal material for Honeyman’s particular brand of theatrical mischief. Audiences can expect original music, extravagant costumes, comedy, spectacular production numbers and enough colourful chaos to keep children captivated while the adults catch the jokes sailing over younger heads.
Ashley Scott leads the production as Alice, adding another major role to a fast-growing résumé that includes The Sound of Music, Disney’s The Magic Box, Chicago and the South African debut of Pretty Woman.
Desmond Dube returns for his eighth Janice Honeyman pantomime, this time as the wonderfully named Dame Nanny Fanny Floppalot. Russel Savadier guides the story as narrator Lewis Carroll, while Brendan van Rhyn swaps the elegance of his Cathy Specific alter ego for the temper and theatrical tyranny of the Queen of Hearts.
Bongi Archi hops into his eleventh pantomime as the White Rabbit, with Charlie Bouguenon making his pantomime debut as the Mad Hatter. Siya Makakane appears as the Cheshire Cat, Lesedi Rich as the Caterpillar and Danny Meaker as the Jack of Hearts.
Behind the spectacle, Honeyman is joined by associate director Tim Le Roux, musical director Dale Ray, choreographer Khaya Ndlovu, costume designer Mariska Meyer and production designer Andrew Timm.
Beneath Wonderland’s madness sits a story about growing up, trusting your instincts and discovering that belonging does not require sanding away the parts that make you different.
That message gives the production a little heart beneath all the shouting, singing and increasingly serious tart-related crime. It also explains why the annual pantomime has become such a durable Joburg family tradition: children get the magic, adults get the wit and everyone leaves with something to discuss on the drive home.
Book early and make a proper festive outing of it. Alice in Wonderland runs at Joburg Theatre from 28 October to 24 December 2026, with a 30% early-bird discount on tickets booked by 31 August, excluding school performances. Pantomime is best enjoyed across generations—and Wonderland is considerably more entertaining when the whole family falls down the rabbit hole together. Parental guidance is advised due to some adult humour.

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Joburg Theatre Complex, 163 Civic Blvd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
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