The Citizen went behind the scenes at the Joburg Theatre’s Nelson Mandela stage to document Cinderella.
Jonathan Blaine Shore, left, and Stephan van der Walt prepare in their dressing room before the performance. Picture: Michel Bega
Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Cinderella.
This everlasting story has been re-told many times, but now acclaimed writer and director Janice Honeyman and executive producer Bernard Jay have given Cinderella a funny South African twist.
Starring legends Desmond Dube, Graham Hopkins and Ben Voss, the cast brings much joy and laughter to this theatre show.
Dube and Voss play the two evil stepsisters, Fanny Faltulina and Flossie Flemerina, from just their names alone you know they are going to be quite comical.
Cinderella is played by the talented Kiruna-Lind Devar. Her Prince Charming played by Kyle Grant is the type of lead man you could expect.
The Citizen photographer Michel Bega went behind the scenes at the Joburg Theatre’s Nelson Mandela stage to document Cinderella, which will showcase until 24 December.
Tickets are available on the Joburg Theatre website.
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- Kyle Grant, who plays Prince Charming, stands in-front of an industrial fan as he cools down ahead of going on stage for the final scene. The show runs until 24 December. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Desmond Dube and Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri make their way up a staircase towards the backstage area during a performance. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Justin Swartz, who plays Donkey Houtie, poses for a photograph backstage after the performance. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Dolly Louw, adjusts her costume before taking to the stage as Gogomama, the Merry-Fairy Godmother. The Costume Coordinater is Bronwen Lovegrove, who manages a team consisting of Caroline Mokwena (Wardrobe Mistress) and Costumiers; Delene Holt, Cobus O’Callaghan and Marina Williams with Headdresses and Dressers. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Noni Mkhonto prepares to play the role Lady Ginjah in front of a mirror in her dressing room. Mkhonto has photographs of all the cast members stuck to her mirror. Rehearsals for the pantomime started on the 4 October, and the show opened on 5 November with reviews. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Desmond Dube, who plays “ugly sister” Fanny Flatulina poses for a photograph while adjusting his bra before assuming character. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Ben Voss, who plays “ugly sister” Flossie Flemerina is helped with is dress in the dressing rooms before going on stage. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Jonathan Blaine Shore, left, and Stephan van der Walt prepare in their dressing room before the performance. Picture: Michel Bega
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- Kaylan Sabbadin adjusts her costume in the dressing rooms. There are 21 cast members in total, plus five band members including the musical director, and approximately 30 people on the creative team including producer, director, technical crew and marketing among others. Additionally there are a number of people assisting with set changes and costumes. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Ben Voss, who plays “ugly sister” Flossie Flemerina, applies make-up in his dressing room before the show. There will be 71 performances of the pantomime. Some days the team perform one show, but Saturdays consist of three shows and Sundays they perform two shows. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- Kiruna-Lind Devar, who plays Cinderella, and Noni Mkhonto, who plays Lady Ginjah, are seen waiting in the wings during a performance of the pantomime. Andrew Timm joined the team for the first time as Production Designer combining live performance with projections and 3D graphics on over 500 LED screens and bringing in hologram effects, giant props, magic techniques. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
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- The vehicle used in the performance is moved around backstage. (pictured 18 November 2021) Picture: Michel Bega
Additional reporting by Sandisiwe Mbhele
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