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.
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, 1 November 2026 from 4pm and 7pm
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, 31 October 2026, fromo 4pm and 6pm
Where: The Market Theatre, 138 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, 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
MAMMA MIA!
The beloved international production of MAMMA MIA! returns to South Africa, and it’s a guaranteed feel-good experience that celebrates the magic of ABBA’s music and the beauty of human connections.
Written by Catherine Johnson, MAMMA MIA! is the enchanting tale of family and friendship that unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the evening of her wedding, daughter and bride-to-be Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past back to the island they visited 20 years ago in the hope of discovering which one is her father. With its heartwarming storytelling, unforgettable tunes, and endearing characters, it invites audiences to laugh, dance, and share in the journey of love.
Featuring a full South African cast, crew, and band – led by the iconic Amra-Faye Wright, best known for being the longest-running actress in the role of Velma Kelly in ‘CHICAGO The Musical’ on Broadway, as Donna Sheridan – MAMMA MIA! combines the finest talent this country has to offer both on and off stage.
Produced by Showtime Management, the musical production also features the timeless ABBA songs composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, including ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’; ‘Dancing Queen’; ‘I Have a Dream’; ‘Voulez Vous,’ and many more.
Cost: R280pp to R580pp, book via Ticketmaster.
When: Friday, 16 October to Sunday, 22 November. Thursday to Friday, 7.30pm. Saturday, 3pm, and 7.30pm. Sunday, 2pm and 6pm.
Where: The Teatro, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Hairspray – The Broadway Musical
One of the most popular and beloved stage musicals, Hairspray – The Broadway Musical, explodes onto the stage at Centurion Theatre 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
The Bodyguard: The Musical
The Bodyguard: The Musical follows Frank Farmer, a former Secret Service agent hired as a private bodyguard to protect global singing superstar Rachel Marron from a mystery stalker, as he struggles to balance his duty to protect her and her family with his growing feelings for his client.
With its combination of chart-topping music, glamorous superstar energy, romance and edge-of-your-seat drama, The Bodyguard is a spectacular theatrical experience for Whitney Houston fans and musical
theatre audiences alike.
Cost: R250pp to R620pp, book via Ticketmaster. A 20% discount for Wednesday, 28 April, and Thursday, 29 April 2027 at the Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg, and a maximum of six tickets per customer. Limited tickets are available.
When: Running from 23 April to 6 June 2027 | Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm; Saturday at 3pm and 7.30pm; Sunday at 2pm to 6pm
Where: Teatro at Montecasino, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg.
