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 at 4pm and 6pm | Saturday, 12 December 2026 at 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 once again this summer.
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
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 about 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
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
National Children’s Theatre (NCT), proudly supported by Standard Bank, hosts its final production of the year: Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,
NCT closes the year with the ultimate festive tale, the story of a grumpy, green-hearted grinch, a town called Whoville, and one small girl named Cindy-Lou Who who reminds us of all what the season is really about. Brought to life with NCT’s signature warmth, humour, and heart by Ivor Jones and Music Director and Voice Coach by Christine Ludwig, this production is the perfect way for families and schools to celebrate the holidays together.
Cost: From R180pp, book via Quicket. For school bookings: Call Nthabiseng Mmethi at 011 484 1584 or [email protected]
When: Running from 10 November to 20 December 2026, from 10.30am and 2.30pm
Where: National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Ave, Parktown, Johannesburg
WGRUV Dance Company – Angels in Africa
WGRUV’s Season 3 finale, Angels In Africa draws together three works of historical depth and spiritual imagination, offered as a family-friendly celebration for the festive season.
The evening opens with Reverence, set to Robert Schumann’s Symphonic Studies, Op. 13. Choreographer Jessica Lang describes the work as “my definition of ballet” – a piece built to be experienced rather than explained.
The production continues with Prayer, an imaginative work by Lex and Holly Gruver, inviting audiences to look beyond the obvious, communicating depth and soul through movement known to WGRUV’s contemporary style – a piece built to lift the mind toward what is unseen and eternal.
The programme closes with the South African premiere of Diversion of Angels, the landmark 1948 ballet by American modern dance pioneer Martha Graham. Staged in the Martha Graham Dance Company’s centennial year, the work traces the stages of love – adolescent, romantic and mature.
Cost: R120pp – R300pp for November dates, book via Webtickets. R120pp – R300pp for December dates, book via Webtickets.
When: Friday, 13 November at 7pm. Saturday, 14 November at 3pm. Sunday, 15 November at . Friday, 18 December at 7pm. Saturday, 19 December at 3pm, and Sunday, 20 December at 3pm
Where: November dates: UJ Arts & Culture, University Of Johannesburg, Corner of Kingsway Ave and University Rd, Auckland Park, Johannesburg. December dates: Main Theatre at Roodepoort Theatre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Rd, Florida Park, Roodepoort
The Firebird
Following a sold-out Cape Town season and triumphant return to the United States of America, Janni Younge Productions’ dance and puppetry spectacular, The Firebird, makes its Johannesburg debut at The Teatro, Montecasino for six shows only.
Directed by award-winning South African puppet theatre artist Janni Younge and choreographed by acclaimed choreographer and director Jay Pather, The Firebird sets Igor Stravinsky’s electrifying score of the same name within a contemporary South African fusion of larger-than-life puppetry and powerful dance.
At its heart is the Seeker, a young woman on a quest to unleash her creative power. Drawn into a vivid and shifting world, she encounters forces that challenge her to discover her own capacity for transformation.
Towering puppet creatures, dynamic choreography and Stravinsky’s remarkable music combine in a theatrical landscape that moves between intimacy and spectacle, building towards a rousing climax as the magnificent Firebird takes flight.
Early Bird Specials are available until the end of October and Family Specials are available throughout the season. For Accessible Tickets, please email [email protected].
The Firebird runs for one hour in duration and is recommended for children six and older.
Cost: From R150pp to R580pp, book via Webtickets
When: Friday, 4 December 2026 at 7.30pm | Saturday, 5 December 2026 at 11am, 3pm and 7.30pm | Sunday, 6 December 2026 at 11am and 3pm
Where: The Teatro at Montecasino, Teatro Road, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg
Explore The Firebird
The Nutcracker by the Youth Russian Ballet Company (YRBC)
Enter the enchanting world of The Nutcracker ballet, gracefully performed by the Youth Russian Ballet Company (YRBC).
The YRBC is a South African youth ensemble lovingly trained in the heart of Johannesburg, dedicated to the captivating artistry of the Russian Ballet method.
Step into a world of holiday wonder and be swept away by the captivating story, breathtaking choreography, and the grace of talented ballerinas as they use movement to tell the tale of the battles and triumphs of a young girl who befriends a Nutcracker that comes to life.
The ballet is all set to the magical melodies of the legendary composer, P.I. Tchaikovsky.
Cost: R180pp to R360pp, book via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 4 December at 12pm and 5pm and Sunday, 5 December at 11am and 3pm
Where: Main Theatre at Roodepoort Theatre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Rd, Florida Park, Roodepoort
Mzansi Ballet presents The Ginger Who Lost His Christmas Spark
Mzansi Ballet presents a brand-new Christmas adventure for the whole family.
The story tells the tale of a magical bakery where gingerbread cookies are made, snowflakes dance, and Christmas sparkle fills the air that loses its sparkle.
Then a little girl makes a special Christmas wish, asking for the Gingerbread Man to find his sparkle again. What follows is a magical Christmas wonderland filled with snow, ballet, hip-hop battles, mischievous magic, and a mysterious Christmas Sparkle ballerina.
Cost: R200pp – R350pp, book via Webtickets
When: Running from 23 December to 10 January 2027. Various days, from 11am, 3pm and 7.30pm
Where: Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Magaliessig, Johannesburg
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.
