| What: Puss in Boots- Magical Family Pantomime -presented by KickstArt When: June 26 to July 18, 2026 Where: Pam Golding Theatre at the Baxter Tickets: R250 for children and R300 for adults Bookings: Webtickets Writer and Director: Steven Stead Puss in Boots (aka Tiddles): The swashbuckling feline hero, descended from a long line of noble Spanish cats (Rory Booth) Calypso Honeybunch: A good fairy, guardian of the Island of Esperanza (Belinda Henwood) Grimsby Withergood: An evil, shape-shifting goblin wizard (Bryan Hiles) Tom Marzipan: Puss in Boot’shapless owner, and sometime surfer (Kyran Brady Taylor) Tristram Marzipan: Tom’s muscle-bound, bone-headed bully of a big brother (Lyle Buxton) Mother Merry Marzipan: Tom’s mother, the flamboyant village baker (Blessing Xaba) King Magnum, the Magnanimous: Gentle, pint-sized ruler of the Island of Esperanza (Mthokozisi Zulu) Princess Miranda: Magnum’s feisty daughter (Roshanda Lewis) Selina Swiftclaw: Lord Grimsby’s cat, a graceful but deadly assassin (Grace McIlroy) Dancers: Milli Mangate, Sarah Tyrrell |
Puss in Boots – Magical Family Pantomime – presented by Kickstart – Baxter Pam Golding, Cape Town, winter 2026 – June 26 to July 18, 2026
I had such fun, watching Steven Stead’s Puss in Boots – Magical Family Pantomime. The panto finishes on Saturday – July 18, so apologies for this delayed review. I posted on Facebook and social media after I saw the production. The intention was to write in depth about the production, but with so much on in Cape Town, my extended review fell by the wayside. But here I am, with a shout-out to Steven Stead, designer Greg King and all those part of KickStart – the production company – based in Durbs. Thank you bringing you annual pantomime to Cape Town, to brighten up our winter. I look forward to the KickStart panto for 2027.
This is not just a belated review but a sign for others to look out for the panto next year and to become immersed in panto as a genre. This Puss in Boots is better than therapy – thanks to the silly song for the sing-along. I have been laughing out loud and singing along since attending Puss in Boots. People have looked at me as if I am mad. And when I did sit down to write this review, I cracked up with laughter as I researched the song. Keep reading and I will explain.
Last year, 2025, was the first time that KickStart brought a panto to the Baxter: Jack in the Beanstalk. Uninitiated as I was with the panto genre, I was a tad flummoxed and over thinking when I first posted on social media. Panto aficionados put me right with educational WhatsApps. There is always a fairy. There are always gags and slapstick. There are always corny jokes and digs at social-what-what. There may be drag. There is always a song to singalong to, with lyrics supplied for the audience. I voiced my concern about the length and I got a bollocking about that – Panto is supposed to be long. It is to give time for everything to build- to develop plot lines and flesh out zany characters. Okay, so I Googled it and yes, a traditional panto is about two to 2,5 hours, including an interval. One source for that: https://www.alexjacksonpantomimes.com/about-alex-jackson-pantomimes/ Beyond that, there have been pantos which were well over the 2.5 hour mark such as the 5-hour long Sleeping Beauty at the Drury Lane Theatre, 1900. The source for that is https://www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/news/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-pantomime-2 which gives fascinating insights into the genre. PIB is about one hour for first half and 45 minutes for the 2nd half.
This iteration of PIB is set on a “magical Caribbean island” and ” the story follows a quick-witted feline with a plan, a pair of boots, and just enough charm to turn the tide of fortune.” Wonderful performances from the ensemble cast, which includes veteran actors like Blessing Xaba and Bryan Hiles. It was lovely to see young Grace McIlroy take on the role of Selina Swiftclaw – the “graceful but deadly assassin”. McIlroy is the daughter of the amazingDurban thespians Aaron McIllroy and Lisa Bobbert.
The zany plot, which I am not going to go into, unfurls against Greg King’s stunning set – lots of saturated colours and funky props. On a side note, The Cape Town Theatre Awards ceremony took place on Sunday July 5 in the Pam Golding, with King’s set as the backdrop. On the night, King received the award for best set design for Empath’s Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater. Isidlamlilo won SEVEN awards – every award that it was nominated for. It was an opportunity for us to feast our eyes on the set.
Back to PIB. Yeah, a lot happens in panto and the invitation is is to become immersed in the fun and participate – especially in the sing-along song. Still getting to that. I love the choice of songs for PIB, such as the frenetic Fireball (which I know from Zumba, just saying), These Boots were Made for Walking.
And then the singalong silly song for 2026 –” If You Should Meet an Elephant – If you should meet an elephant on a summer’s day. What would you do? What would you say? I’d say, “Good morning Elephant, how do you do? I’m glad to meet you…” I googled it and no-one seems to know who wrote it, which means it is in public domain. I did not know that there are four verses – all to do with the seasons. It has become my Send in the Clowns number – to create a diversion – when things are bit tense or problematic, I prompt – “sing with me” instead of “deep breaths”. Works like a charm – try it.
Another staple of panto is to localise text and add in geographical, social and cultural references. King’s writing is clever and frequently biting – although that is for the adults – not the kidlets. A great deal of work has also gone into giving it a Cape Town zing in terms of place and zeitgeist. There are digs at Canal Walk (shame), affirmation for the Waterfront, quips about Woollies and other retailers. Never mind that the panto is set on an island in the Caribbean, there is a distinctive Saffa surfer vibe barrelling through –J-Bay and Kommetjie, Durbs.
Looking forward to KickStart Panto 2027.
✳ Puss in Boots- Magical Family Pantomime -presented by KickstArt, Baxter, Cape Town, June 26 to July 18, 2026 . Photo: Kim Stevens. Supplied.
