The musical shows and theatre in Johannesburg give a platform for unique entertainment, from blockbuster musicals on stage to cutting-edge performances and indie productions. We break down some of the best shows coming soon in Joburg.
Prima Facie at The Market Theatre
Following a successful run in London where it was nominated for (and won) multiple prestigious awards, Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie makes a South African debut this spring.
Prima Facie follows Tessa, an ambitious barrister who has worked her way to the very top of her profession, becoming a champion of the judicial system in the process.
But, following a brutal attack against her, Tessa’s ideas about justice and the integrity of the law are entirely challenged. As she herself is put on trial, retraumatised by her attack, questioned and cross-examined in the same ways that she has questioned others, she is forced to reevaluate her beliefs.
Prima Facie is a hard-hitting look at the “patriarchal power of the law” where the burden of proof and existing rules of evidence often work against victims of sexual violence.
Cost: R140pp to R220pp (half-price Wednesdays); R50pp (50th Year – code required). Book via Quicket
When: Running from 17 September to 4 October 2026 | Wednesday to Friday at 7pm; Saturday at 3pm and/or 7pm; Sunday at 3pm
Where: Barney Simon at The Market Theatre, 138 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty brings a beloved tale to life with classical dance, stunning choreography and beautiful glow-in-the-dark costumes.
Step into a world where light and dance intertwine in this breathtaking retelling of Sleeping Beauty which tells the classic tale of Aurora, a princess who is put under a sleeping curse that can only be broken by true love’s kiss.
As six dancers glide across the stage, their illuminated costumes create a dazzling display of colour and light, making every twirl and leap feel otherworldly.
Cost: From R405pp, book via feverup
When: Sunday, 2 August and Sunday, 1 November 2026. At 4pm and 7pm both days
Where: John Kani Theatre, The Market Theatre, 138 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
The Jury Experience
Step into a thrilling courtroom drama where the audience is the jury in a live, interactive trial.
The Jury Experience is an immersive courtroom drama that challenges you to examine witness testimonies, cross-examine key players, and assess forensic evidence, all while live actors present compelling arguments in front of a cinematic screen. As you engage with the case, you’ll make decisions at pivotal moments, with your final vote determining the fate of the accused: guilty or innocent.
Designed for group participation, this 60-minute experience immerses you in high-stakes courtroom drama where the line between right and wrong is blurred. Will justice be served? Only you can decide.
Cost: R450pp to R510pp, book online
When: Saturday, 1 August and Saturday, 31 October 2026. Both days at 4pm and 6pm
Where: The Market Theatre, 138 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Pieter Toerien Productions revives Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd with a South African cast, for a South African audience.
Retired detective Hercule Poirot is pulled back into the business and enlists the help of the village doctor and police inspector to find out who murdered Roger Ackroyd, the master of Fernly Hall and the patriarch of a strangely dysfunctional family.
Amid the multitude of motives and a labyrinth of alibis, Poirot comes to accept that solving crimes suits him much better than retirement does. Alan Committie reprises his role as Poirot in this production packed with thrills, surprises, laughs and gasp-inducing twists.
Cost: R150pp to R300pp, book via Webtickets
When: Running from 21 August to 27 September 2026 | Wednesday to Friday at 7.30pm; Saturday at 3pm and 7.30pm; Sunday at 3pm
Where: Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Semi-Soet – The Musical
After a hugely successful sold-out run at AfriForum Teater in Pretoria in 2025, by popular demand, Semi-Soet – The Musical heads to Montecasino.
The ever-popular Bobby van Jaarsveld and Anel Alexander return as the beloved lead characters JP and Jaci. The talented Zöricke Snyman and Philip Schnetler, both of whom have received Naledi nominations for this production, also make a return, along with Nadia Beukes, who is no stranger to the Teatro stage.
The production follows the story of Jaci and JP – two people who pretend to be the perfect couple, only to discover that love sometimes waits in the most unexpected places. With humour, heart and a soundtrack full of well-known hits, Semi-Soet – The Musical has already established itself as one of the most popular new Afrikaans musicals.
New music has also been written for this Joburg season, including ‘Rek Strek Baba’ by Marcelle Peach, which has already been released on all digital platforms.
Cost: R250pp to R520pp, book online
When: Running from 4 to 27 September | Tuesdays to Fridays at 7.30pm. Saturdays at 3pm & 7.30pm. Sundays at 2pm & 6pm
Where: The Teatro at Montecasino, Teatro Road, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg
The Rocky Horror Show
The legendary cult musical The Rocky Horror Show, is set to light up the Joburg stage all through winter.
From the moment sweethearts Brad and Janet experience a stormy night, a flat tyre and a detour to a mysterious castle, audiences are swept into a world where nothing is quite what it seems and everything is possible.
Inside the castle, they encounter the charismatic, corset-clad “sweet transvestite” Dr Frank-N-Furter, his eccentric household and the muscle-bound creation Rocky, brought to life in a riot of glitter, glam and guitar riffs. What unfolds is a deliciously subversive journey of transformation, temptation and self-realisation fuelled by rock anthems including ‘Time Warp’, ‘Sweet Transvestite’ and ‘Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul’.
Cost: R200pp to R495pp, book via Webtickets
When: Running from 23 October to 6 December 2026 | Wednesday to Friday at 7.30pm; Saturday at 3pm and 8pm; Sunday at 2pm and 6pm
Where: Pieter Toerien Montecasino Main Theatre, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Find out more about this powerful story
Joburg Ballet Presents Carmen
Throughout the year, Joburg Ballet has been honouring 25 years of creative excellence with stagings of both classic ballets and fresh, locally choreographed works.
This spring, the mesmerising Carmen is given new life. The production honours one of South Africa’s greatest choreographic voices – the acclaimed Veronica Paeper – whose contribution to Joburg Ballet’s artistic legacy has been profound.
Leading the cast are principal dancers Revil Yon, the only South African male principal in the country and Brazil’s Monike Cristina in the iconic leading roles of Don José and Carmen.
Debuting in the lead roles are Ryoko Yagyu and Ivan Domiciano and they, together with the new partnership of Darragh Hourrides and Bruno Miranda, add fresh energy and theatrical vitality to the production.
Carmen also introduces audiences to the dancers who carry Joburg Ballet’s legacy forward with a promise, ambition and artistic excellence that will shape the company’s future. These dancers include Latoya Mokoena, Chloe Blair, Gabriella Ghiaroni, Mario Gaglione, Miles Carrott and Miguel Franco-Green.
Cost: R250pp to R800pp (Joburg shows); R200pp to R450pp (Pretoria shows). Book for Joburg shows via Webtickets here and Pretoria shows via Webtickets here.
When: Joburg shows – running from 25 September to 4 October 2026 at various times | Pretoria shows – Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 October 2026 at 3pm
Where: Joburg – Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre, 163 Civic Blvd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg | Opera Theatre at The SA State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria Central, Pretoria
The Jungle Book
VR Theatrical’s production of The Jungle Book is back by high demand this spring.
Audiences can expect a fully immersive theatrical experience before the performance even begins. The foyer is transformed into a jungle wonderland, draped in vines and lush greenery, immediately transporting you into Mowgli’s world.
The bold, urban-inspired set and costume design merge with dynamic choreography and a pulsing original score to deliver a fresh, contemporary take on this classic tale of found family, friendship and identity.
With its high production values, inventive storytelling, and a strong emotional core, The Jungle Book promises a family-friendly theatrical adventure that is as thoughtful as it is entertaining – a must-see for those looking to experience this well-loved tale in a bold new way.
Cost: R150pp, book via Webtickets
When: Running from 17 to 27 September 2026 | Monday to Friday at 10am. Saturday at 3pm and 7pm. Sunday at 3pm
Where: DRAMA Theatre at South African State Theatre, 320 Pretorius St, Pretoria Central, Pretoria
Hairspray – The Broadway Musical
One of the most popular and beloved stage musicals, Hairspray – The Broadway Musical, explodes onto the stage at Centurion Teater in a bold, high-energy theatrical event packed with larger-than-life characters, iconic musical hits and explosive choreography.
From the creative team behind Cabaret (2024) and the sell-out hit Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2025), the production delivers a show that has colour spilling beyond the stage, movement filling the space, and the pulse of the 60s running through the theatre.
The story transports audiences to 1960s Baltimore, featuring a world of television dance shows, bright lights and even brighter personalities. At the centre of the story is fearless, funny and unapologetic Tracy Turnblad, played by Afrikaans acoustic folk musician, singer-songwriter and stage performer Carley Janse Van Vuuren. Once she lands a spot on the city’s hottest TV show, she’s not concerned about the fame, but rather challenging the system, breaking boundaries and proving that big dreams belong to everyone, regardless of size, shape and skin tone.
Cost: From R300pp, book via Quicket.
When: Saturday, 22 October to Saturday, 7 November. Thursday to Friday, 7.30pm to 9.45pm. Saturday, 2pm to 4.15pm, and 7.30pm to 9.45pm. Sunday, 4pm to 6.15pm
Where: Centurion Theatre, 123 Amkor Rd, Lyttelton Manor, Centurion
The Royal Countess Zingara
Step into a world where theatre, performance art and cuisine intertwine in a dazzling spectacle as this sensory affair from Cape Town ushers in a new dazzling chapter in the City of Gold.
Guided by a Timekeeper, Joburg Zingarians are led through a journey of wonder, music, song, spectacle and daring.
Among the world-class artists performing will be former Cirque du Soleil aerial cradle specialists Juan Pablo Palacios and Victoria Perez Iacono from Argentina, rola bola balancing marvel Axel Perez from Las Vegas, acrobat Samantha Kotze from Johannesburg and The Clorettes, a vocal quartet from Cape Town.
During the show, guests are treated to a sumptuous four course dinner for palate and soul. See the menu here.
Cost: Tickets start at R1260pp and include a welcome drink, a four-course feast and the full Zingara show experience. Book via dineplan, zingara.co.za or [email protected]. Group bookings can be made via [email protected]. See the ticket info here
When: Running from 20 June from Tuesday to Sunday. Doors open at 5pm and show starts at 7.30pm
Where: Melrose Arch, Corlett Dr, Birnam, Johannesburg
All the details on this stage spectacular
