From 'Moonlit' musings to 'Technicolor' dreams: unmissable stage shows you need to see

There are still a few more days left to catch Aldo Brincat’s “The Moon Looks Delicious From Here” at the Market Theatre. 

Based on Brincat’s personal experiences as a first-generation South African, this multi-award-winning production explores themes of identity, sexuality, and heritage.

Directed by Sjaka Septembir, the music is helmed by celebrated singer and songwriter Bongeziwe Mabandla.

Last year, it bagged a Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award at the 50th anniversary of the National Arts Festival (2024) and the Special Jury Award at the Bitesize Theatre Festival in London.

Brincat takes on numerous local and foreign family characters in this one-hander. A stage veteran, he effortlessly slips into the skin of these characters as they grapple with an ever-changing political landscape, while also torn by other key issues that reach a boiling point. 

Brincat revealed: “This show is universal in its theme, particularly at this time when the intersectional knock-on effects of migrancy, sexuality, heritage and identity are brought increasingly into our consciousness. It makes us question what and who we think belongs, probing our conventional understanding of identity, family, ancestry and nationality.”

Where: Barney Simon, Market Theatre. 

When: Runs until July 27, 7pm.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

If musicals are your kryptonite, look no further than this masterpiece by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

Produced by Pieter Torien and the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy (LAMTA), this family entertainer is infectious and will have everyone snapping their fingers. 

Featuring an outstanding ensemble of LAMTA graduates, the musical score ranges from favourite pop tracks to classics like “Any Dream Will Do”, “Close Every Door”, “There’s One More Angel in Heaven” and “Go, Go, Go Joseph”.

Where: Pieter Torien Montecasino Main Theatre.

When: Runs until September 28, 3pm and 7.30pm.

My Favourite Broadway

In keeping with the high-energy vibe, Jonathan Roxmouth returns to the stage. 

No stranger to musicals, this time around he is backed by the newly-formed 32-piece Egoli Symphonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Adam Howard.

This production invites theatregoers to rekindle the nostalgia of beloved musicals from “ The Phantom of the Opera”, “Les Misérables”, to “Evita” and “My Fair Lady”.

He will be belting out timeless tunes like “Singin’ in the Rain”, “Gypsy”, “Funny Girl” and “Oliver”, among others. 

Where: Montecasino’s Teatro.

When: July 25 to 27 and August 1 - 3, show times vary between 2pm, 3pm and 7.30pm.