Be swept away by Malo and the Moon Maiden a magical cirque-theatre tale of love, longing, and hope, directed by theatre legend Janice Honeyman. This brand-new production from The Cirk infuses masterful aerial artistry and acrobatics with comedy and an enchanting storyline. The show runs from Sat, May 3 – Sun, Jun 15 at Cresta Shopping Centre. Book your tickets here. 

An exciting collaboration sees South African theatre legend Janice Honeyman's signature whimsy and heart joining forces with The Cirk's immersive storytelling and daring theatrics. The result? Malo and the Moon Maiden – an all-new production that tells a story of Malo the Clown and his eternal devotion to Melodia Luna, the celestial Moon Maiden, set against the backdrop of a once-glorious circus faded by time. 

While The Cirk remains a force in the cirque arts world, known for shows like Gatsby: A Cirque Extravaganza and the popular Worlds Away, it's their ability to transform traditional circus elements into emotionally resonant narratives that’s captivating to audiences of all ages – making them a standout in the realm of local live performance. 

Their latest project brings this strength to the fore. Malo and the Moon Maiden is a seamless meeting of The Cirk’s cirque-theatre style and the masterful direction of Honeyman, renowned for her record-breaking pantomimes at Joburg Theatre and productions like The Color Purple and Mamma Mia!. Honeyman brings a lyrical, dreamlike quality to Malo, drawing inspiration from Marc Chagall’s romantic circus imagery. 

The production stars some of The Cirk's resident performers. Daniel Buckland takes on the role of Malo, the lovelorn clown with a tender heart, while Claudia Moruzzi plays Melodia Luna, the Moon Maiden whose quiet grace feels otherworldly. Yahto Kraft brings a dark, theatrical flair to Ringmaster Ratchett, the villain determined to keep the two apart. Around them, a lively ensemble of circus folk – singers, dancers, and aerial artists fills the stage with colour, energy, and constant motion.

The original score by Wessel Odendaal moves between light-hearted circus tunes and more haunting moments, giving the story a strong emotional undercurrent, while Wilhelm Disbergen’s set and lighting design turn the stage into a surreal, moonlit circus world, complete with starry skies and a central ring.

The Cirk co-owner and co-director Joanna Vargas says, "For The Cirk, this is a first-of-its-kind production, especially working with a renowned director like Janice Honeyman. It's been a very different process from how we normally work, which has been a great learning experience. It's also the first show we are producing that has all original music, created by Wessel Odendaal. Audiences of all ages can expect to be highly entertained, laugh lots, and thoroughly enjoy this marriage of theatre and circus." 

Malo and the Moon Maiden runs from Sat, May 3 – Sun, Jun 15 at Cresta Shopping Centre. Showtimes are on Saturday and Sunday at 14:00, with limited runs on Fridays at 19:00. Follow @the_cirk on Instagram for updates. Tickets are between R220–R320 per person. Book your seats here.