“Madagascar”A musical adventure Jr04 November – 24 December 2025
Get ready to Move it! with Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr
Peoples Theatre end off 2025 with a bang!
Johannesburg – October 8th, 2025
Peoples Theatre is delighted to announce their spectacular and end-of-year production - Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR, taking to the Peoples Theatre stage from
4th November to 24th December 2025.
This humorous adventure of a musical promises to bring a fun-filled festive season to all their audiences!!
Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr is based on the smash DreamWorks animated film, Madagascar, following all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s MADAGASCAR!
Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the ‘Hip Hip Hippo’ and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they “Move it ! Move It!” in the adventure of a lifetime.
Director Jill Girard comments: “We’re so thrilled to have the opportunity to stage Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. Everyone will fall in love with the wonderful characters from the movie, and dance to the catchy music. It’s the best way to end off the year! Gather your friends and your family and get ready to MOVE IT! MOVE IT”
Madagascar Jr’s Creative Team:
Produced by Peoples Pre Productions
Directed by Jill Girard
Set Design by Grant Knottenbelt
Costumes by Luciano Zuppa
Choreography by Owen Lonzar
Musical Direction by Coenraad Rall
Publicity by Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network
MEET THE CAST
Thokozani Jiyane – Alex the lion
Junior Geel – Marty the Zebra
Bethany Jiyane – Gloria the Hippo
Lwazi Pinyana - Melman the Giraffe
Raymond Skinner – King Julian and various roles
Amelia Stephens - News Reporter and various roles
Thokozani TK Jiyane
Thokozani Jiyane is a Musical Theatre trained performer from the Tshwane University of Technology. He is notable for being a two-time Naledi Theatre Award nominee, with over a decade of experience in professional stage and television performance. His extensive stage work includes performances at various prominent theatres, such as the Soweto Theatre, South African State Theatre, National Children's Theatre, Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre, Teatro at Monte Casino, and the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. In addition to his theatrical achievements, Thokozani has appeared in multiple television commercials for brands like African Bank, MTN, Wimpy, AVBOB etc. He is also involved as a songwriter and voice artist for Takalani Sesame.
Junior Geeel
Junior, is a multifaceted performer, exceling as a singer, actor, and dancer. He has had the privilege of working with esteemed institutions such as the Peoples Theatre, where he contributed to acclaimed productions such as, Stories from the Old Calabash. He also had the opportunity to showcase his talents in Janice Honeyman's Beauty and the Beast pantomime in 2024. Recently, Junior spent seven months honing his craft on the ADORA Mediterranean cruise ship, where he dazzled audiences with his performances in multiple shows as a production dancer. Fresh from his international experience, Junior is thrilled to be returning to the South African stage, reprising his collaboration with the Peoples Theatre for the hit production of Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. With his dynamic range and captivating stage presence, Junior Geel is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences everywhere.
Bethany-Joy Jiyane
From the quaint town of Jeffrey’s Bay, Bethany harbored grand aspirations of becoming a performer. In 2013, she made the pivotal decision to leave her small hometown and embarked on a journey to realize her dreams by enrolling in the Musical Theatre program at the Tshwane University of Technology. Subsequently, she participated in numerous productions at both the National Children’s Theatre and the Peoples Theatre. In addition to her qualifications in Musical Theatre, she is a trained puppeteer, having received specialized training from Sesame Street, and currently serves as one of the lead puppeteers on the beloved children's program, Takalani Sesame. Bethany is excited to be back at the Peoples Theatre, taking on the spunky role of Gloria the Hippo in Madagascar.
Lwazi Pinyana
Lwazi, born in the city of Durban is a director and performer currently residing in the city of Johannesburg, he began his career as part of the YPP: Young Performer’s Project’s staging
of Footloose directed by Themi Venturas. He would then continue to solidify his presence in theatre performance in Sarafina! The Musical (2019), How Long? The Musical and Sinbad: The Sailor among many others. Lwazi is now currently studying a Masters’ degree at the University of Witwatersrand in Theatre and Performance. Lwazi most recently contributed his talents to productions such as, The Rhythms and Rhymes of Mother Goose, The Mantis & the Moon and in a special performance with the cast of Sarafina.
Raymond Skinner
Raymond, is an actor and aspiring singer/songwriter who started his performance journey, at the age of 16, with the show Beauty and the Beast Jr at the Peoples Theatre in 2018. He has since performed in multiple musical theatre productions at the Peoples Theatre and played the role of Jesus in Oakfields College’s production of Godspell (2024). He’s also received a Naledi award nomination for his performances as Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical Jr. (2023) and won the award for Best Actor in a Children’s Production for his portrayal of Aladdin in Aladdin Jr. (2024) both at the People’s Theatre.
Amelia Stephens
Amelia is a singer and actress who recently graduated as top student from Oakfields College with a diploma in Musical Theatre and Dance. She has been in productions such as Sister Act (2022), Reflections (2023), Godspell (2024) and most recently Seussical Jr. at the People’s Theatre (2025). Her professional career highlight, so far, has been playing the role of Miss. Honey in the Peoples Theatre 2025 production of Matilda.
Performances are from Tuesday 04 November – Wednesday 24 December 2025
Show times for schools are Tuesday to Friday at 09:00 am and 11:00 am.
Show times for Public are 10h30 and 14h30 - Weekends and during school holidays
Ticket Prices:
R175 per person for members of the public
R140 if you are a member of the Peoples Theatre Kids Club
R150 for public accompanying members
For School group rates, please contact the theatre directly
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
Call 011 877 6841 or email info@peoplestheatre.co.za for bookings or enquiries.
You can also book online at www.joburgtheatre.com
The Kids’ Club
Children who join the Kids’ Club for just R150.00 a year receive discounted rates on tickets and also get to enjoy free entrance to the show that falls closest to their birthday. Kids Club members receive fun newsletters and stand to win fabulous prizes in exciting competitions. So why not come and spend some quality time at the PEOPLES THEATRE Come as you are, come dressed up but whatever you do don’t miss Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr!
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