The Royal Countess Zingara announces Johannesburg season opening at Melrose Arch in June 2026
Following a triumphant season in Cape Town, bookings are now open for The Royal Countess Zingara, soon to be transporting her enchantment to the City of Gold with La Dolce Royal. The production will unfold at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg from 20 June 2026, ushering in a dazzling new chapter for her Gauteng audiences.
After an absence of more than a decade, the fabled Countess Zingara’s dinner-cirque spectacle opened in the Mother City last October to effusive reviews and capacity houses. It’s now time to bewitch Johannesburg’s Zingarians once again, with performances delivered with skill and aplomb by an outstanding South African and international cast. Conceptualised by visionary Richard Griffin, La Dolce Royal is directed by Craig Leo and executed by an extraordinary team that has created a splendid universe where magic collides with vibrant imagination in a velvet, mirrored Spiegeltent.
Guided by a Timekeeper, guests will journey through acts of wonder, music and song, spectacle and daring. Among the world-class artists performing will be former Cirque du Soleil aerial cradle specialists Juan Pablo Palacios and Victoria Perez Iacono from Argentina, rola bola balancing marvel Axel Perez from Las Vegas, acrobat Samantha Kotze from Johannesburg and The Clorettes, a vocal quartet from Cape Town. “In a world unravelling at the edges, La Dolce Royal is our poetic reply,” says co-director Valentina Leo. “It is a love letter to the human spirit and a reminder to hold fast to beauty, to hope and to one another.”
Located just off the Corlett Drive off-ramp, Melrose Arch is easily reachable from all major routes, and entry to the Pavilion is via the BP Gate, opposite the BP Garage on Sunnyside Road. There is ample, secure basement parking and 24-hour security to ensure visitors enjoy both convenience and peace of mind in a sophisticated, pedestrian-friendly setting.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Royal Countess Zingara back,” says Natalie Stewart, Managing Director of Melrose Arch. “This unique production brings creativity, vibrancy and a fresh entertainment experience to Johannesburg, and Melrose Arch is perfectly suited to host a production of this scale that will add a bold new layer to the precinct’s experiential offering.”
La Dolce Royal runs Tuesdays to Sundays from 20 June 2026. Tickets start at R1,260 per person and include a welcome drink, a four-course feast and the full Zingara show experience. Doors open at 5 pm and the show begins at 7:30 pm.
Bookings are now open through Dineplan and call also be made at www.zingara.co.za , boxoffice@zingara.co.za or by calling 021 891 0448.
Bespoke hosting options range from Private Lounges and the Aperol Garden to the coveted Royal Balconies and elevated stage tables with sweeping views. For enquires about corporate bookings, please email vanessa@zingara.co.za. Please note there is PG10 advisory on the show.
Follow @zingara_royalcountess on Instagram for news, updates and behind-the-scenes antics.
