Our favourite South African Theatre Productions of 2025

2025 was a remarkable year for theatre across South Africa, from intimate studio productions to grand musicals and ensemble-driven works. Here’s our pick of the year’s most compelling shows, rated with precision for your next theatre night.

1. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2. Bitter Winter

3. The Tempest (Maynardville Theatre Complex)

4. The Incredible journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder

5. Striking a Chord (Theatre on the Square)

6. Chicago

7. Johnathan Roxmouth, My Favourite Broadway

8. Vlam in die Sneeu (Centurion Theatre)

9. Celestial Bodies (Joburg Ballet)

10. The Last Country (The Market Theatre)

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

A family-friendly musical classic brought to life at Montecasino’s Pieter Toerien Theatre. Dylan Janse van Rensburg dazzled as Joseph, supported by a spirited brotherly ensemble. Colourful choreography, catchy tunes, and warm ensemble energy made it a joyous celebration of storytelling and song.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.8/5 Stars

Bitter Winter

Paul Slabolepszy’s intimate studio production at Montecasino’s Pieter Toerien Studio Theatre offered a quiet but powerful look at the life of actors and the passage of time. A true glance into the life, and sacrifices of being a performer. The cast’s nuanced performances and the play’s thoughtful exploration of ambition and reflection proved that intimate theatre can resonate deeply.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.8/5 Stars

The Tempest (Maynardville Open Air Festival)

Maynardville’s 2025 open-air production of The Tempest, directed by Sylvaine Strike, transformed the Cape Town amphitheatre into a magical, ensemble-driven stage. Leaning on strong ensemble work, evocative set and costume design. The production relied on the natural surroundings and collective performance rather than spectacle. Special mentions go to Tankiso Mamabolo and David Viviers for their dual roles, as well as Albert Pretorius for his outstanding contribution creating an immersive, engaging experience that highlighted the power of theatre as a shared, collaborative art form.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.8/5 Stars

The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder

Amanda Strydom’s The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder at Montecasino Studio Theatre is a masterclass in ensemble storytelling and linguistic flair. Shifting effortlessly between English, Afrikaans, Cape Afrikaans, and other accents, Strydom inhabits every role with grace, while Coenraad Rall’s musical direction provides the perfect accompaniment. The production blends story, fairytale, and heart, and we cannot wait to see where it goes!

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.8/5 Stars

Striking a Chord (Theatre on the Square)

Striking a Chord at Theatre on the Square showcased the remarkable talents of Adrian and Emma‑Jean Galliard, whose father-daughter harmonies and vocal precision carried the show from start to finish. Musical director Johan Heystek provided seamless accompaniment, allowing the duo to move effortlessly between pop, classical, and musical theatre favourites. The 70-minute performance combined soaring vocals with heartfelt storytelling, creating an intimate, engaging experience that highlighted the power of music and ensemble cohesion in a small theatre setting.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.7/5 Stars

Chicago

Chicago at Montecasino Teatro delivers darkly witty, stylish musical theatre with a live on-stage band that drives the energy from start to finish. Samantha Peo commands as Velma Kelly, with Jonathan Roxmouth’s effortless charm as Billy Flynn, while Tankiso Mamabolo’s powerhouse Mama Morton, round out a cast firing on all cylinders. Sharp, polished, and full of attitude, this production reminds audiences why Chicago remains a timeless favourite, blending music, movement, and razor-edged humour into a compelling ensemble experience.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.7/5 Stars

Jonathan Roxmouth : My favourite Broadway

My Favourite Broadway at Montecasino Teatro spotlights Jonathan Roxmouth as he delivers a curated selection of showstopping numbers from the world’s most beloved musicals. From the passion of The Phantom of the Opera to the anthems of Les Misérables, the grandeur of Evita, and the romance of My Fair Lady, Roxmouth’s commanding voice and charismatic stage presence turn each number into a showcase of precision, heart, and sheer musicality, creating a polished, immersive celebration of Broadway that leaves audiences thoroughly captivated.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.7/5 Stars

Vlam in die Sneeu

Vlam in die Sneeu, directed by Nadia Beukes with Chanie Jonker on piano, brings Ingrid Jonker’s poetry vividly to life, exploring her secret love letters with André P. Brink alongside her personal struggles and enduring spirit. Lizelle Pike commands the stage, weaving passion, longing, and heartbreak into a performance that honors Jonker’s unflinching honesty and poetic brilliance. Original music underscores the emotional journey, creating a deeply intimate and moving production that celebrates both the beauty and the pain of Jonker’s life and work.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.7/5 Stars

Celestial Bodies

Part of Joburg Ballet’s Spring Season, Celestial Bodies blends contemporary choreography with cosmic themes, led by the captivating Luca Pontiggia. The cast moves with syncopated precision, transforming the stage into a constellation of bodies, rhythms, and visual poetry. With choreography that honours form while pushing boundaries, the piece mesmerises in its cohesion and artistic ambition, a reminder of our versatile talent in the theatre and dance realms.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.6/5 Stars

The Last Country (Market Theatre)

The Last Country at The Market Theatre is an immersive exploration of the lives of migrant women, weaving together stories from the DRC, Somalia, Zimbabwe, and KwaZulu-Natal. The production captures struggle, humour, hope, and resilience with a keen sensitivity, drawing audiences into the intimate realities of leaving home and arriving in a South African city. Through its storytelling, the piece highlights our shared humanity and the transformative power of small acts of kindness, creating a moving, socially resonant theatre experience that lingers long after the curtain falls.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.6/5 Stars

Conclusion

2025 has proven to be a remarkable year for South African theatre, showcasing the depth, diversity, and daring of our local talent. From ensemble-driven classics and bold contemporary works to intimate solo performances and boundary-pushing dance, these productions remind us that theatre remains a space for connection, reflection, and unbridled creativity. As we look ahead to 2026, there is every reason to be hopeful: new voices will emerge, stories will continue to challenge and inspire, and audiences will be rewarded with performances that push the art form even further. If 2025 was any indication, the coming year promises to be just as vibrant, daring, and unforgettable for South African theatre.