The circus is coming to town — but not as you know it. From June 19th, the Motsana Cultural Centre will transform into a kaleidoscope of colour, music, and wonder as the Maun Theatre Group stages The Greatest Showman, a production unlike any the town has seen before.
“We all do it for the love of the stage!” Jessica Dawson, their director of the play stated.
For Dawson, the heart of The Greatest Showman lies in its message of belonging and embracing one’s uniqueness.
“The show explores the challenges of prejudice and the importance of accepting others, particularly those who are different… It encourages us to be a little less judgmental, a little more kind and a little more accepting of others, despite their size, race or background.”
“We hope to make people feel something. To tell a story that resonates, to lift spirits, and to create an experience that lingers long after the final bow.”
Based on the story of P.T. Barnum the legendary showman who rose from nothing to revolutionise the world of entertainment the musical champions diversity, dreams, and daring to be different. And in true Barnum spirit, the Maun production promises aerial artists, elaborate dance numbers, and soaring vocals.
One of the highlights of this production has been the live singing, a choice made deliberately to preserve the intimacy and energy of theatre.
“Even though we’re doing six performances, no two will ever be the same. That is the magic of theatre: it is a gift shared between the cast and the audience, and it only exists in that moment.”
“Maun Theatre Group was founded in 2022. What began as a fun community project has grown into a passionate ensemble of performers, creatives, and dreamers dedicated to bringing quality amateur productions to life — right here in the bush,” said Dawson.
The group has built a solid reputation in Maun for staging increasingly ambitious productions from Rocky Horror Picture Show in 2021 to Chicago in 2022, and Mamma Mia last year each receiving rave reviews. But The Greatest Showman is their boldest move yet.
“This show has been in the pipeline for years. We first floated the idea back in 2021, but we knew we were not ready. It has taken years to get to a place where the cast, the skills, and the technical resources aligned,” she explained.
“Some of our core company members are moving on after this. We wanted to build this show around them the cast that inspired the idea in the first place and give them the send-off they deserve.”
“For the first time — with the dancers being trained at Aerial Unity Dance Studio — we had the performers available to put on a show of this magnitude with the aerial performers to match,” Dawson said. “Motsana Cultural Centre, where the show is held, has done major adaptations to their stage to accommodate our aerial and circus rigging — with huge thanks to Anne and Richard Uren.”
The casting process itself was extensive, and involved open auditions held earlier this year.
“After an initial dance choreography and vocal audition, the group was narrowed down to a smaller group of possible candidates,” Dawson said.
Despite the professional quality of the show, the group remains entirely non-profit.
“Performers or producers are not paid to perform. It takes a special type of person to dedicate their time and effort, hours and hours of practice over 6 months… purely for the joy of the stage and to make others happy!” she said.
“There is a quote from PT Barnum, from the show itself. ‘The noblest art is that of making others happy.’ This production embodies that quote.”
Behind the scenes, Dawson credits vocal coaches Robyn Currell and Kelsey Grulke, as well as choreographers Shannon Watson and herself, for crafting a show that is both technically demanding and emotionally stirring.
“Our team has been working since January 2025, rehearsing 3 to 4 times a week, and even more rehearsals are needed closer to show time to cover all dress and technical practices.”
“Our vocalists have been assisted and coached by Robyn Currell and Kelsey Grulke — both extremely talented vocalists who are also performing in the show,” Dawson added.
“Most of the cast are not trained dancers, and have worked so hard on picking up these challenging but fun dance numbers… Our aerial performers have had to build up the strength and endurance to maintain not only a dance, but a dance many metres up in the air.”
Community support has been strong, with locals eager to see what Maun’s theatre group pulls off next. This year, the group is also collaborating with MAWS (Maun Animal Welfare Society), with food stall proceeds going directly to the charity.
But mounting a show of this scale in Maun does not come without its challenges.
“We are accountants and safari operators, we are gin distillers and teachers, we are students and waiters… Rehearsals are after work hours, sometimes late into the night, most of us are tired at the end of the day,” Dawson said.
Still, the love for the stage prevails. Looking ahead, Dawson shared that the theatre group will take a short break after The Greatest Showman, but promises a return in November with a family-friendly pantomime.
“This year we bring you The Wizard of Oz, which will be a hilariously funny, family-friendly show for all ages.”
In the meantime, The Greatest Showman runs from June 19th at Motsana. Tickets are available until Friday, June 13th — and, as Dawson puts it: “No ticket means no entry, so book soon to avoid missing out on the show of the year.”
