Join best friends Geo and Luna (and their cat) on a quest to find a mysterious dinosaur who can grant one VERY BIG wish!
A brand-new South African children's play packed with puppets, dancing, music, heartwarming moments, and maybe a meaningful message or two - perfect for kids aged 3 - 10 (and their grown-ups)!
Geo, Luna, and their cat do everything together ... but now their cat is getting old, and they know they have to find a way to help her!
Many years ago, Luna’s grandfather told them about a mysterious wish-granting dinosaur and, ever since, they’ve made maps, built inventions, and searched every cave they can find ... but now it’s time to do more. They believe that the dinosaur can cure their cat, so they pack their bags and set off on their quest. Along the way, we meet a unique cast of creatures - a wise frog, a friendly shark, some snarky birds, and a very sad cloud - who help Geo and Luna face the unpredictable ups and downs of friendship and teamwork. Through playful storytelling, they learn that it’s okay to feel sad and ask for help.
The story gently explores themes of grief, letting go, and the importance of embracing life’s challenges (in a fun and magical way).
Performers: Erin Gemmell, Zachary Esau
Writer: Juliette Rose-Innes
Director: Juliette Rose-Innes
Choreographer: Amber Morgan
Musical Arrangement: Roland du Preez
Set & Prop Design: Jesse Brooks, James Stoffberg, Juliette Rose-Innes
Poster Design: Amber Alcock
Zachary Esau is an actor and comedian based in Cape Town. He is a UCT graduate with a degree in Theatre and Performance. He has performed on many stages including the Baxter Theatre and Woordfees, with a notable run of his stand up comedy show One of Each at the National Arts Festival in Makanda in 2023 and 2024.
Zachary was part of the award-winning A Midsummer Night's Dream cast that toured to Johannesburg in November of 2023, performing at the Pieter Torien Theatre at Monte Casino. He then went on to feature in Romeo and Juliet in February of 2024 at the Maynardville Open Air Festival, while also being part of the Top 20 Savanna Newcomer Showcase in 2024.
Erin Gemmell is an established musical theatre, stage and screen actress, dancer and singer. Hailing from the University of Cape Town and LAMTA, she is no stranger to pantomime and children’s theatre. In the film world, she made her professional screen debut in 2021 playing Vicky in Life Happened. She then joined the Baked Shakespeare Theatre Company from 2021-2025, most recently portraying Banquo and Macduff in their rendition of Macbeth (2025).
Erin has been active in the alternative theatre scene since starring as Gill in The Outlore’s award-winning immersive show, XCODE (2023), and has featured in numerous collaborative works with The Outlore in 2023-2025.
She is passionate about inclusive, progressive and diverse storytelling, and when not performing or workshopping a new show, she can be found doing improv and sketch comedy and writing her own work.
She is so excited to be joining the How to Hold family, getting back to her roots of heartfelt storytelling for children and adults alike.
Juliette Rose-Innes is a director and writer with professional credits across South Africa and the UK. Her children’s play How to Hold the World has been performed at the National Arts Festival (2022 & 2023), Kalk Bay Theatre, Spier Wine Farm in association with Third World Bunfight, and the Royal Arts Amphitheatre with the For Life Centre - as well as in schools and theatres throughout the Western and Eastern Cape.
Following the success of How to Hold the World, Juliette founded How to Hold Productions, aiming to foster empathy, creativity, and accessibility through original South African theatre for young audiences.
Beyond children’s theatre, Juliette directed Baked Shakespeare’s As You Like It (Standard Bank Bronze Ovation Award, 2023), touring South Africa, London, and Edinburgh Fringe. She has also directed Twelfth Night and Macbeth for Baked Shakespeare, and wrote, directed, and produced Not Falling (National Arts Festival 2023). Her broader theatre work spans stage management, lighting design, teaching, and production - including a recent contract as Technical Stage Staff aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas.
She has been published in the Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Anthology (2018), and was a finalist in the Scribe Scriptwriting Competition (2017). She believes theatre should be joyful, messy, and made for everyone.
