Theatre preview: Disney in the Park- The Man & The Mouse – presented by The National Children’s Theatre, Johannesburg, February 2021 – outdoor theatre – this is not a streamed event
What: Disney in the Park– The Man & The Mouse When: Feb 12-28, 2021 Where: 3 Junction Ave, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 Tickets: R120 Booking: Quicket Producer: National Children’s Theatre in collaboration with The Big Productions Direct booking link: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/126945-disney-in-the-park-man-and-the-mouse/#/ Info: Cindy Gordon on 082 747 5165 |
Finally some hopeful news on the pandemic front with the announcement, tonight, February 1, 2021 by our president that Covid rates have stabilised and some lockdown regulations will be eased. This does not mean that we can let our guard down. Masks must be worn at all times – and yes- that includes communing outdoors. Exciting news is that The National Children’s Theatre in Joburg is reviving its successful production, Disney in the Park- The Man & The Mouse. This production was staged last October [2020] in the garden on its premises – that is why it is Disney in The Park. The production received rave reviews. For the February season, there will only be a 100 tickets, as per lockdown regulations. People will sit, physically distanced from each other, mask wearing strictly enforced.
The National Childrens Theatre pulled together a full-on Disney show – with costumes, music- all the bells and whistles. Check out the photos on this post – from the 2020 production and you will see the detail and effort put in to bring the magic of Disney to the small fry- yeah – during pandemic times. Daniel Keith Geddes who performs in the show and who has contributed additional musical arrangements, explains: “The production is in collaboration with The Big Productions, which adapted its acclaimed touring production of The Man & The Mouse to open the outdoor theatre with a new inventive take on live theatre and Disney itself.” The Big Productions is a South African theatre production company, with the innovative Brett de Groot at the helm. The company specialises in staging “unusual and original live theatre productions”.
Children are the audience of the future. Now, more than ever, youngsters need to experience LIVE- away from the flickering screen of the TV and from social media. The National Childrens Theatre needs support – bums on seats. This vital organisation has the use of the premises, courtesy of the City Council but it needs to fund production costs. Factor in: Rights, costumes, music, salaries of actors and creatives. It adds up, fast. The income of creatives has been decimated during the pandemic but National Childrens Theatre is keeping the dream alive; bringing family theatre to life.
It is hoped that all hundred tickets will be sold, per performance [nine performances- see box for schedule]. If all tickets are sold and additional donations come in, they will be able to re-hire freelancers that they had to let go. Wouldn’t it be great, if someone is reading this and donates a chunk of moolah to enable the company to work on another production? Take the little ones to see Disney in The Park. I am in Cape Town. If I was in Johannesburg, I would definitely go and see Disney in the Park. I am staring at the photos and wanting to be there – in the moment. Support the theatre industry and family theatre in particular. Take your mask, picnic blanket, chair and get there. Enjoy the summer in Joburg and experience theatre – live. A year from now, you can look back and say – ‘Wow- we attended that amazing outdoor theatre – Disney in the Park –during Covid”.
| Disney in the Park – The Man & The Mouse – February 12-28, 2021 – performance schedule There will be nine shows. Duration of performance is 1 hour. Performance dates: Fri Feb 12 ~ 16:00 Sat Feb 13 ~ 16:00 Sun Feb 14 ~ 16:00 Sat Feb 20 ~ 16:00 Sun Feb 21 ~ 09:30 & 16:00 Sat Feb 27 ~ 16:00 Sun Feb 28 ~ 09:30 & 16:00 |
| Disney in the Park – October 2020 and February 2021- cast and creatives: Cast: Brett de Groot, Kiruna-Lind Devar, Louise Duhain, Daniel Keith Geddes and Ashleigh Butcher Writing and direction: Brett de Groot Musical arrangements: David Cousins Additional musical arrangements: Daniel Keith Geddes Choreography: Charmaine James and Tandy-Lynn Rudling Set and costume design: Brett de Groot Sound: Mark Tatham |
| Follow the National Children’s Theatre on social media Facebook: @NCTtheatreSA https://www.facebook.com/NCTheatreSA/ Instagram: @nctheatresa Twitter: @NCTheatreSA Website: https://nationalchildrenstheatre.org.za/ Info: cindy@nctt.org.za |
