‘Malo': A New Intimate Janice Honeyman show

The Citizen

08-05-2025

Carmen Jooste stars in the show alongside a troupe of energetic talent.
Carmen Jooste stars in Malo, now on at CirK in Cresta. Picture Supplied
Most South African performers would give both their left feet to star in a Janice Honeyman production.
And a brand new cast of young and energetic performers are lined up to do exactly that.
It's a new, acrobatic, and original musical production called Malo that opened on 3 May at the CiRK theatre at Northcliff's Cresta Shopping Centre.
Carmen Jooste stars in the show alongside a troupe of energetic talent.
The story takes place in a circus. But not just any circus. It's a tired old European-style big top. It's the tale of Malo the Clown and his devotion to Melodia Luna, the celestial Moon-Maiden.
She descends to Earth to help the circus troupe reclaim its sparkle. It's a song and dance and acrobatics of note, all in an intimate theatre setting.
'It shows the challenges of the evil ringmaster taking advantage of Melodia and just showing us that journey. It has romance, it has amazing themes that it explores,' Jooste shared.
And if the rehearsals are anything to go by, audiences are in for a treat.
Jooste plays Elastic, a bendy circus performer who contorts her way through the production.
'Elastic is there to create the atmosphere of the circus
'In traditional circuses, the contortionist has always been part of the magic, and that's what I bring to the stage. Then, there's the romance, drama, and some dark moments too,' Jooste said.
'It's not your average musical. This is something completely new.'
It's not your average musical
Rehearsals are several weeks in, and while there's still a lot to pull together, she said, the pressure creates a different kind of positive energy.
'Everyone is focused. Everyone shows up. And that's what makes it special.'
Working with Honeyman, she said, had been one of the highlights of her performing career so far.
'Just reading the script gave me goosebumps,' she said.
'Janice is brilliant. She knows exactly how to bring a story to life. Just reading her script and reading her writing has given me such inspiration and I get goosebumps when I just read it. Her vision is clear and every note she gives makes you better. You're constantly learning.'
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Honeyman's Midas touch is usually synonymous with large-scale pantomimes come the festive season but this production trades the grand for a somewhat more immersive environment.
CiRK theatre is not huge, it's a space where performers are up close.
'It's incredibly intimate,' Jooste said. 'You feel the audience with you every second. Also, you can hear them breathe. You look them in the eyes. It changes the whole dynamic. You share something real with them.'
For the whole family
Jooste said that the show's for the whole family.
'I think kids, grandmas, parents, anyone can enjoy the show. It has humour. It has drama. Then there's the amazing aerial displays, amazing acting. It's for everyone.'
Now 21, Jooste has become something of a regular on the CiRK stage.
She lept into the performing arts straight after school, building on a decade-long foundation of competitive rhythmic gymnastics that saw her represent South Africa abroad several times.
'When I stopped competing, something felt missing,' she said. 'I took an aerial class just to try something new, and I never left. I found that piece in life's puzzle I didn't know I was looking for.'
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Malo runs from now to 15 June 2025 at The CiRK, Cresta Shopping Centre.
Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm, with limited Friday night shows at 7pm.
Tickets range from R220 to R320 and are available at www.cirk.co.za.