The Royal Countess Zingara is returning to Century City in October with a new production combining circus, live music, theatre and dinner.
"Melanina – Return to Origin" is the latest production from the Cape Town-born entertainment company and will be staged inside Zingara’s Spiegeltent at Century City. The production has been created by Richard Griffin, Craig Leo and Valentina Leo.
The new show follows "La Dolce Royal", which previously occupied the Century City venue. Rather than extending that production, Zingara has developed a new concept drawing on the atmosphere of an old-world nightclub, with influences from South America, New Orleans and Africa.
The cast brings together local and international performers, including Mongolian contortionists, Tanzanian acrobats, South African aerialists, a Canadian tightrope walker and a Mexican hair-hanging strength performer.
Music will also play a central role in the production, with a 15-voice choir and live band joining South African vocalist Lelo Ramasimong. The musical influences include jazz figures such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Josephine Baker.
As with previous Zingara productions, food forms part of the evening. The ticket includes the performance and a multi-course menu prepared by the Zingara culinary team. Tickets start at R1,250 per person.
"Melanina – Return to Origin" also marks a notable point in the company’s history.
For the first time in 25 years, two Zingara productions will run at the same time, with "La Dolce Royal" continuing at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg while the new production takes over the Century City Spiegeltent.
Zingara’s story began in Cape Town in 2001, before the company became known for its travelling Spiegeltent productions and dinner-theatre format.
The new production brings the company back to its original city with a different cast and creative concept, while retaining the combination of circus, music, food and theatrical performance that has become associated with the Zingara name.
"Melanina – Return to Origin" is scheduled to open in October 2026 at Century City.