Pinocchio

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Pinocchio

At Joburg Theatre for the opening of Janice Honeyman's Pinocchio. So much excitement - we got goodie bags filled with sweets and snacks! Pinocchio is one of my favorite fairytale's of all time. I love the character of Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio's conscience. We all need a moral campass to help us get through life.


The show doesn't disappoint, colorful costumes and vibrant sets. Energetic, South African, interactive and beaming with life. Laduma! Madame Pussy Galore (The Fat Cat) and Madame Ill Fortunato (The Fox) are so humorous. They might have stolen the show, so effective as a comedic duo. A lot of comedic moments, I loved the puns and dramatic irony, breaking the fouth wall at times. Pest control was needed for Jiminy Cricket, he was doomed!


Pinocchio is the journey of a wooden puppet who magically comes to life and dreams of becoming a real boy. Katlego Nche plays Pinocchio, he is wonderful and he transforms into a real boy. Bongi Archi is a relatable father figure for Pinocchio. He can speak African languages, in fact, every character drifted off to their home languages once in a while, to convey a point or deliver comedic punchline. The show is filled with a lot of those, this is not just a kiddies show. There was also pop culture references and jokes for grown-ups. Singalong's are a given and the audience participated and danced along. Laduma! CR7! SUII! Lesedi Rich is boundless energy as Lampwick Rich!


The sets colorful, larger than life, neon lights, full of imagination! Two acts with an interval, the whole journey is so much fun!


The actors
Katlego Nche - Pinocchio
Gina Shmukler - Bella Bouboulina
Sandi Dlangalala - Jiminy Cricket
Bongi Archi - Geppetto Spoletto
Lesedi Rich - Lampwick Spaghetti
Tiaan Rautenbach - Dame Arletti Spaghetti
Brenda Radloff - Madame Ill' Fortunato (Fox) 
Camilla Waldman - Madame Pussy Galore (Cat)
Mark Richardson - Senor Napolio Strombolio 
Luciano Zuppa - Luciano Panzarotti
Noluthando Mathebula - Dainty Dolly

Costume Designer: Mariska Meyer

Set Designer and Builder: Enos Ramoroko

Lighting Designer: Johan Ferreira 

Congratulations Janice Honeyman and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation. 



📸: SamSays 

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