By Selloane Ntshonyane
- Joburg Ballet will perform Giselle to mark its 25th anniversary as the opening production of the theatre’s first-quarter 2026 season.
- South African productions The 8th Bag, Adam’s Ale, Imithandazo Yethu and Man with No Surname will feature in the season.
Joburg Theatre has announced its first-quarter 2026 programme. The season brings together classical ballet, contemporary African storytelling, youth development shows and popular music on one stage.
The theatre says the new season is not only about entertainment. It is also about strengthening the city’s creative economy. The programme creates a space where tradition and modern expression meet. The theatre says the season reflects Johannesburg’s rich and layered cultural identity.
The season opens with a classical production. Joburg Ballet will perform Giselle as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary. The theatre says the production highlights the continued relevance of classical ballet in a modern African city.
The programme includes several new South African productions that explore identity and spirituality. The 8th Bag looks at inherited ideas of masculinity. Adam’s Ale and Imithandazo Yethu deal with grief and faith.
The productions also look at the balance between tradition and contemporary life. Man with No Surname adds to the local storytelling. It focuses on memory and belonging.
Dance and music are central to the programme. Motown celebrates the global impact of Black musical innovation. Renowned choreographer Gregory Maqoma presents Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time. The production explores creation and transformation through movement.
Family shows will cater for younger audiences. Shrek the Musical Jr is part of the line-up. Events such as Jazz in the Lights aim to create shared cultural experiences for the wider community.
The theatre says the 2026 season showcases Johannesburg as a city alive with creativity.
Pictured above: Joburg Theatre.
Image source: Selloane Ntshonyane
