Theatre on the Square thanks its patrons for a year of theatrical magic
After a year of sold-out shows, award recognition, and unforgettable performances, Theatre on the Square reflects on a remarkable 2025.
Sandton’s Theatre on the Square, nestled in the heart of Nelson Mandela Square, has marked 2025 as one of its most exciting and successful years to date.
Under the passionate guidance of production manager Daphne Kuhn, the theatre has delivered a year filled with variety, artistry, and community engagement, all while operating independently without sponsorship for over six years.
“We’ve had a most exciting, varied, successful, and uplifting year. Despite the challenges of running a theatre without sponsorship, we’ve managed to keep our doors open and our stage alive with outstanding productions, thanks to the unwavering support of our artists and audiences.”
Read more: Odd Man Out opens to torrent of laughter at Theatre on the Square
A year of highlights and heartfelt performances
2025 saw an impressive lineup of productions, with the theatre’s own staging of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical emerging as one of the year’s standout successes.
The lively production ran for five sold-out weeks, often playing two to three shows a day, featuring 30 children alongside seasoned professionals. The show attracted 50 school groups in addition to large public audiences.
The stage also hosted acclaimed dramatic works, including A Doll’s House Part 2 starring Bianca Amato, The Suit and Master Harold… and the Boys by Athol Fugard with Sello Maake KaNcube, and Harold Pinter’s classic The Dumb Waiter, with Brent Palmer.
Adding musical flair, The Tramp, a new musical by Amanda Bothma starring Daniel Anderson as Charlie Chaplin, charmed audiences and critics alike.
The year also featured the delightful children’s production, The Wizard of Oz, and the vibrant original musical Striking a Chord, showcasing the remarkable young talent Emma Jean Galliard.
Inspiration and resilience on stage
One of the most moving moments of the year came with Beauty in the Broken, starring Gaynor Young. Once a rising star who suffered a near-fatal fall at the State Theatre many years ago, Young returned to the stage after years of recovery, overcoming deafness, limited vision, and mobility challenges.
“Gaynor’s courage, resilience and incredible spirit embody what live theatre is all about,” said Kuhn. “Her story and performance touched the hearts of everyone who saw her.”
Award recognition and musical enrichment
Theatre on the Square’s excellence was recognised this year with multiple Naledi Theatre Award nominations, along with several individual performance awards, celebrating the outstanding standard of productions and artistry achieved in 2025.
Beyond theatre, the venue continued its much-loved Friday Lunch Hour Classical Concerts, featuring renowned local and international musicians, and hosted several Sunday Jazz concerts, enriching Sandton’s musical life and fostering community through the joy of live performance.
Also read: Galliards’ Striking a Chord wows full house at Theatre on the Square
Looking ahead to 2026
As the theatre prepares to usher in another year of exceptional programming, Kuhn promises that 2026 will be fun-filled, thought-provoking, captivating, and inspiring.
Plans are already underway for an exciting festive season lineup and new productions that continue the theatre’s proud tradition of artistic excellence. “We’re committed to keeping the magic of live performance alive, but to continue creating these opportunities for artists and audiences, we urgently need sponsorship. Theatre on the Square has brought joy and work to so many for three decades, we hope to keep its lights shining for many more.”
A message of gratitude and festive cheer
Before the curtain falls on 2025, Kuhn extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the year possible. “I would like to thank all our patrons, and those from Sandton and its environs, for supporting us in 2025. We look forward to having you all back in 2026 for another year of fun-filled, thought-provoking, captivating theatre and music for all.
“Warmest wishes and blessings for the festive season from all of us at Theatre on the Square, and for a very special 2026, where the joy of live theatre and entertainment will continue to inspire and uplift us all.”
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