The South African Ballet Theatre are the proud guest artists in the Joburg Theatre's pantomime PINOCCHIO; the brand new Janice Honeyman adaptation of the classic adventures of Pinocchio.

Veteran stage, television and film actor TOBIE CRONJÉ once more heads up the annual pantomime, this time as the gentle woodcarver Geppetto. FIONA COYNE, best known as "that bitch in black" from South African TV's long-running game show THE WEAKEST LINK and renowned for her sharp wit and dry humour, is cast as Pinocchio's wicked accomplice the cat. Much loved celebrity and lauded TV star Terence Bridgett (Jerome from 7 DE LAAN and Chico from ISIDINGO) joins Pinocchio and the cat in mischief as the anthropomorphic fox.

Leading lady of the stage, award-winning actress FIONA RAMSAY, returns to panto-land after a seven-year absence as the magical Blue Fairy. Young and talented SIBU RADEBE has been cast as Pinocchio. Sibu has performed in many musicals in South Africa over the last few years, including the role of Lefou in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST for which he received two Naledi awards: 'Best Breakthrough Performer 2008' and 'Best Comedy Performer'.

The entire Company of The South African Ballet Theatre together with Fiona Coyne as Katarina, the Cat and Terence Bridgett as Fortunato, the anthropomorphic Fox, appear in Pinocchio

Sexy heart-throb JACQUES will be making a guest appearance. Jacques Terre-Blanche achieved overnight fame from the 2003 M-Net Idols competition. He is currently enjoying the success of his second album, THE COLOUR RED, having had four number one hits and been nominated for a South African Music Award in the category of 'Best Pop Album'.

The sensational cast also features TIMOTHY LE ROUX playing Panto Dame, with Nadia Beukes, Charles Bouguenon, Matt Counihan, Jesse Christelis, Tessa Denton, Eloise Horjus, Christopher Jaftha, Lutho John, Dolly Louw, Tshepi Mashego, Revano Michael, Jodie Renouf, Bradley Searle, James van Helsdingen and Julian Wenn.

Executive Producer Bernard Jay's casting coup for this pantomime production is undoubtedly the inclusion of the thirty-five dancers of THE SOUTH AFRICAN BALLET THEATRE as Special Guest Stars, bringing the full performing company on stage to a record-breaking and eye-poppingly spectacular 60 artists!

The endearing, timeless tale of PINOCCHIO will be brought to life by acclaimed writer / director Janice Honeyman. "I have wanted to write and direct this pantomime for over twenty years," declares Janice. "My adventures of PINOCCHIO will be full of magical surprises, a visual feast."

The story tells of Geppetto's son Pinocchio, a wooden puppet who is desperate to become a real boy. On his journey of discovery, he encounters a cat and a fox (who are definitely crooks), the Blue Fairy (who operates from a Wishing Star), Jiminy Cricket (who becomes Pinocchio's conscience figure), as well as many other weird and wacky characters. It's a cautionary tale of a child's journey and a father's unconditional love.

PINOCCHIO will be on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre from November 4th 2009 to January 3rd 2010. Booking at Computicket is open and over 30,000 tickets have already been sold! Call 083 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.com.

And best news of all in these economically gloomy times: There has been no increase in ticket prices from the 2007 and 2008 Joburg Theatre pantos. With best stalls seats for preview performances at R171 and for all other performances at only R222, the annual Joburg Theatre pantomime remains truly the best value family entertainment in town. And discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling the theatre's VIP Ticketing on (011) 877 6854. PINOCCHIO is presented at Joburg Theatre in association with M-Net, Jacaranda 94.2fm and You Magazine.

The South African Ballet Theatre is proud to present FNB's Giselle - the ultimate ballet love-story - of a prince who falls in love with a peasant girl and of her love for him which is stronger than betrayal and death.

Coppélia combines the romance between villagers Swanhilda and Franz with the story of the doll maker Dr Coppelius, whose greatest dream is to create a doll with a soul. Set to the well-known score by Leo Delibes, the ballet enjoys popularity in repertoires worldwide and can be enjoyed in Johannesburg this season marking 139 years since its premiere on 25 May 1870 in Paris.

Acting Artistic Director Iain MacDonald said "The SABT is excited to add the Pro Musica Theatre to its growing list of performance venues as the Company fulfils its mandate to provide easy access to the glamour, escapism and magic of the ballet to all South Africans".

The South African Ballet Theatre was proud to present acclaimed Cape Town choreographer Veronica Paeper's sumptuous production of Cinderella, the ultimate rags to riches fairy tale, as their first season for 2009. Set to the shimmering music of Prokofiev the ballet captures all the magic of this immortal fairy-tale with pumpkins turning into carriages, mice into white horses and Cinderella from an unloved step daughter into the princess of the realm.

The season ran for 16 performances from 20 March - 5 April 2009 at The Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein. The score for this ballet is one of the most complex and exciting scores written for ballet and only a live orchestra can truly do justice to Prokofiev's masterpiece. This season also comprised two firsts for SABT - the first time that this ballet was presented on a Johannesburg stage and the first time that it was accompanied by a live orchestra.