Unathi: Puss in Boots first made its way to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban in 2015. It then swaggered to the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg in 2017. The production returned to Durban in 2024 and has now unsheathed its boots for a Cape Town run at the Baxter Theatre, arriving just as the winter school holidays began.
I cannot, however, write this review. Theatre of this nature deserves the honesty of the people it is intended for. Hence I happily surrendered my laptop to my teenage plus-one. What follows is the production through her eyes, with dad editorial tweaks.
Thina: The moment I walked into the Baxter Theatre, I could feel the excitement. It wasn't just because the school holidays had started or Puss in Boots was about to begin. The foyer was buzzing with families, children darting around and adults catching up before going into the main Pam Golding Theatre.
My dad stopped to greet almost everyone, including CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, comedian Kagiso "KG" Mokgadi, actor and singer Imran "Emo" Adams and Chef Jenny Morris. Former Miss South Africa Kerishnie Naiker was there too. She's from way before I was born but hasn't aged a day.
Once inside the main theatre, family chatter continued unabated; the younger children pointed excitedly at the colourful stage.
The bright lights and tropical set immediately made it feel like I was about to step into another world. I knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary theatre experience.
KickstArt Theatre's production of Puss in Boots, showing at the Baxter Theatre, is dubbed an "enchanting family pantomime". Dad tried to explain what pantomime is to me but it was the show's director, Steven Stead, who explained it better for me.
"A pantomime is a very specific form of entertainment that originated in the 14th and 15th century in Italy, in the genre of Comedia del'Arte. This form of theatrical storytelling used masks, stock characters and comic set-pieces called lazzi [jokes] but involved comic set routines, which slowly, over centuries, evolved into what the British call pantomime," Stead said.
Puss in Boots is written and directed by Stead, as mentioned earlier. Greg King designed the colourful set.
The entire show was fun and an energetic escape that perfectly captures the spirit of the winter school holidays.
The audience is transported to a magical Caribbean island, providing a sun-drenched, colourful backdrop for the whimsical adventure. The plot follows the main character, a quick-witted feline hero, portrayed with immense energy by Rory Booth, as he attempts to change the fortunes of his unlucky owner, Tom Marzipan, played by Kyran Brady Taylor.
Along the way, they contend with the wicked, shape-shifting goblin wizard, Grimsby Withergood, brought to life by a delightfully grumpy Bryan Hiles, whose comedic timing and ability to incite audience boos and hisses is a standout element of the show.
But why just Puss in Boots? There are nine other popular titles that cycle in pantomime tradition: Aladdin, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, Alice in Wonderland and Sinbad.
"We just happened to choose Puss in Boots on this occasion. Last year was Jack and the Beanstalk and next year we will probably do Sinbad. That is because we have those productions freshly made and ready to hand, so they are practical for us to stage," Stead said.
I suppose Puss in Boots has the added appeal since it featured in the Dreamworks Shrek movies.
What makes the show really special is its ability to balance slapstick humour for children with enough wit and cultural references to keep the adults consistently engaged.
The cast is excellent, with Blessing Xaba's portrayal of the larger-than-life Mother Merry Marzipan providing warmth and hilarious comedy. The ensemble work, supported by Simone Mann's vibrant choreography, creates a buzz that keeps the pacing tight and the energy high.
Visually, the production is a feast for the eyes.
King's set design is bold and imaginative, while the costumes and clever use of puppetry to depict the wizard's magical transformations add a professional polish that elevates the entire experience.
Watching Puss in Boots was a joyful experience and it reminded me why live theatre is so special. From the colourful costumes and impressive stage effects to the energetic performances and laugh-out-loud comedy, every moment was entertaining. I loved how the production brought people of all ages together, creating a fun and heart-warming atmosphere.
It left me smiling long after the final curtain. It was a great family outing followed by a late-night dinner. No school the next day.
Puss in Boots runs for the duration of the winter holidays, in Cape Town only, at the Baxter, until Tuesday, 18 July 2026. And then it is back to school for some of us.