Cape Town is preparing for a magical journey through the best of Disney, as The Magic Box makes its South African debut on October 9 at Artscape. Tickets are on sale already, and recently the 26 cast members who’ll be enchanting audiences throughout the run have been revealed. Drawing from a pool of all-South African actors and creators, The Magic Box will take guests on an uplifting and unforgettable adventure through the highlights of Disney’s 100 years of movie magic!
Leading the way will be Ashley Scott, a star of stage and screen who’ll take on the role of Mara. Accompanied by iconic and much loved Disney characters such as Donald Duck, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, and the character who started it all, Mickey Mouse, Mara will be the audience’s guide to the story, as you’re swept up in a colourful original tale.
Joining Scott on stage will be a host of talented South Africans, including musical star Brett De Groot, Naledi Award nominee Nqobile Hlekwayo, and Pule Buys, a veteran of Johannesburg’s Wits Theatre Complex. Amongst The Magic Box’s fellow leads are Ghia Hough and Tumelo Mogashoa, and all of them will use innovative theatrical techniques to bring the Disney characters you know and love to life. Rounding out the rest of the ensemble are a host of fresh talent from South African theatre, bringing a local flavour to this timeless, internationally-relevant tale of magic and friendship.
The international team of creatives will be support by local specialists; for instance, Nthabiseng Malaka joins the international designer Sofia Di Nunzio to perfect the show’s costumes. The South African run of the show marks the English language debut of The Magic Box, after it opened to great success in Buenos Aires in January 2024. By employing the best and brightest of South Africa’s theatrical scene, and blending that with international talent, The Magic Box creates a universal tale with a local connection.
Combining puppetry, incredible costumes, and projections, the musical pays sincere tribute to the art of animation, bringing the audience on a soon-to-be classic Disney adventure. With 75 songs you’ll know and love featured in the original score, it’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and original storytelling that will enchant all audiences!
