The best of Johannesburg theatre this Heritage Month

Ms. B-Haved

When: 15 to 19 September

Where: Theatre on the Square, Sandton

Cost: R150 to R220 on Webtickets

Veteran actress Natasha Sutherland directs Sue Diepeveen as Ms. B in this small town rollercoaster where a teacher’s life is thrown into disarray. Three decades into her teaching career, Ms. B’s (Sally) fate hangs in the balance and she invites the audience on a talespin of how she found herself teaching on Zoom instead of a traditional classroom. This one is a human story that reminds audiences that if we don’t laugh at ourselves, we might just find ourselves crashing and burning. 

Prima Facie

• When: Wednesday 16 September - Sunday 4 October, 7pm

• Location: Barney Simon, Market Theatre

• Cost: R140 - R220 via Webtickets. 

Award-winning courtroom drama Prima Facie arrives on South African stages for the first time this September. The story centres on Tessa, a brilliant young barrister who knows the justice system inside out after years spent defending clients. Then a life-changing experience turns her understanding of the justice system on its head. Neil Coppen directs with Danica Da La Rey Jones in the lead, in a gripping production that takes a close look at justice, power and whose voices matter.

Semi-Soet – Die Musiekblyspel

• Friday 4 September - Sunday 20 September, Various Times

• Location: The Teatro, Montecasino

• Cost: R220 - R416 via Tsogo Sun

For romance, laughs and a bit of chaos, Semi-Soet – Die Musiekblyspel hits the stage this September. The musical takes its cue from the popular South African film, following a bid to save a struggling business that becomes rather more complicated once romance enters the picture. With familiar characters, catchy songs and plenty of laughs, it’s a straightforward choice for a relaxed night out. 

Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

• Wednesday 9 September - Sunday 27 September, Various Times

• Location: Pieter Toerien Main Theatre, Johannesburg

• Cost: R150 - R300 via Webtickets  

Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd gets a new stage adaptation, bringing one of her best known mysteries to the theatre this month. Hercule Poirot returns to the stage for a classic mystery involving hidden secrets, a cast of suspects and a few unexpected turns. We’re not going to tell you who did it, obviously. Instead, settle in, pick your suspect early and see whether you can crack the case before Poirot does. It’s a particularly good choice for fans of classic mysteries and traditional theatre.

Carmen: The Ballet

• Friday 25 September - Sunday 4 October, Various Times

• Location: Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre

• Cost: R250 - R800 via Webtickets

Passion, jealousy and obsession are back on stage as Joburg Ballet revisits Carmen for its 25th Anniversary Season. Veronica Paeper brings the story to life with Bizet’s music blending it with classical ballet and Spanish inspired theatrical touches. Carmen is a fiercely independent woman who refuses to bend to anyone, setting a dangerous series of events into motion. It’s one to consider if you’re looking for a big and glamorous night at the theatre. 

Imagine Africa – Our Stories Brought to Life

• Tuesday 15 September - Sunday 4 October, Various Times

• Location: The People’s Theatre at Joburg Theatre

• Cost: R180 via Webtickets

Want to make a theatre night a family affair? Young audiences get to step into the world of acclaimed storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe in Imagine Africa, an interactive production packed with stories and imagination. With stories like Golden Windows, How the Lion Got His Roar and Horns Only, the show mixes music, costumes, props and audience participation to create a colourful storytelling adventure. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to live storytelling while giving you something more engaging than another trip to the cinema.

Elite Encore

• Sunday 20 September, 5pm

• Location: Main Theatre at Roodepoort Theatre

• Cost: R250 via Webtickets

Elite Encore puts Elite Ballet’s dancers centre stage, bringing together young performers and students on intensive professional training at Roodepoort Theatre this month. Traditional ballet meets story driven performance and original choreography, with Don Quixote excerpts paired with a junior dancers’ rendition of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. It’s a great one for families and a chance to see the next generation of dancers in action.

To Hell And Back

• Friday 18 September - Sunday 27 September, Various Times

• Location: Sibusiso Khwinana at SA State Theatre, Pretoria

• Cost: R175 via Webtickets

Four people wake up after a traumatic event, with their lives, choices and futures suddenly up for question. Combining music, movement and dramatic storytelling, To Hell And Back explores big questions around faith, judgement, forgiveness and redemption. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t necessarily end when the curtain comes down.

Bedroom Chats

• Wednesday 16 September - Sunday 20 September, 8pm

• Location: Blue Theatre at Soweto Theatre

• Cost: R100 via Webtickets

What happens when a couple is forced to confront everything they’ve never said out loud? Bedroom Chats focuses on Abigail and George, a couple whose nearly 20 year marriage is tested by years of frustration, disappointment and unresolved issues. The drama tackles the messy realities of love and long term relationships, from money and communication to the compromises that come with staying together. Expect an intimate play that gets into the complicated business of love, commitment and staying together.