Jet lag, jazz hands & joy: Jonathan Roxmouth's life on the musical road
Hands down, it's Johannesburg. The audiences are warm, receptive and don't watch theatre as if it is on a screen. They get involved and when they enjoy something they make it very clear.
When you think 'Broadway', what's the first image, sound or memory that comes to mind?
The smell of the food carts in Times Square. They are mostly Middle Eastern so there is coal, spices and grilled meat everywhere. It's intoxicating.
Which musical number are you most excited to perform again — and in which city, if you had to pick?
Send in the Clowns is such a deeply personal song for me so being able to sing it again in Joburg is very special. The last time was during Back in Lights and I was shocked that it resonated with so many people.
What's the most jaw-dropping theatre or concert hall you've ever performed in?
The Dubai Opera House is extraordinary. The walls and floor can be moved and adjusted depending on the acoustic mix you'd prefer. It's ultra luxurious and it was a real treat to walk onto the fountain piazza after the performance.
Do you have a pre-show ritual when you're in an unfamiliar city?
It's always drinking way more water than I think is necessary and then an endless amount of Pei Pah Koa tea for throat health.
What's your ultimate tour survival hack — for flights, hotels or backstage life?
Take. Your. Own. Pillow.
Have you ever had to go on stage after a travel disaster or no sleep? Tell us.
That's the story of my life. Touring means jet lag. I remember going into a technical rehearsal in New Zealand after a 17-hour flight. I was hysterical and began giggling to which the choreographer uttered a now famous phrase: 'Keep it together, Jonathan!'
Image: studio13lights / 123rf.com
What's the first thing you do when you get a day off in a brand-new city?
I try to find local street food and then a decent coffee. You really begin to understand the culinary culture through what the locals eat.
If you could teleport to see one Broadway show, any era, any cast, what would it be?
Robert Preston in The Music Man on Broadway in 1957.
What city or moment on tour recently made you stop and think, 'This is why I do this'?
We performed the Indian premiere of The Phantom of the Opera in Mumbai this March. During one of the performances, a little boy in the front row had come dressed as the Phantom. I winked at him and his smile is something I remember when I'm having a tough day. I WAS that little boy in 2004 so it was a full circle moment for me.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Dubai's viral chocolate burger divides the internet: culinary genius or just a sugar bomb?
This sweet creation, a mashup of cake and chocolate, has quickly gone viral on social media, sparking both excitement and debate. Image: Zehra A Syed Instagram Food has long been a powerful connector of cultures, communities and cravings. And in Dubai - a city known for pushing the boundaries of luxury and indulgence - food isn't just nourishment, it's a spectacle. From gold-dusted cappuccinos to oversized milkshakes, the Emirate has firmly cemented itself as the global capital of culinary extravagance. The latest creation to stir online frenzy? A chocolate burger so outrageous it's splitting the internet in half. The so-called "Dubai Chocolate Burger" has gone viral, first appearing in an Instagram reel that has since amassed thousands of views and sparked heated debate across social media. Created by B Laban, a UAE-based dessert chain renowned for its bold, Middle Eastern-inspired sweets, the burger is unlike anything seen before. What's in this sweet 'burger'? Forget beef patties and cheese - this dessert is built for the bold. Sandwiched between two halves of soft, golden English cake is a decadent combination of pistachio mousse (rich and nutty), crispy kunafa (adding a delicate crunch) and a Belgian chocolate brownie that's dense and fudgy. To top it all off, the dessert is served with a warm container of flowing Belgian chocolate, allowing diners to drizzle or dip at will - depending on how far they want to take the indulgence. At AED 30 (about R150), the burger is relatively affordable for Dubai's food scene. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Reactions to the dessert have been as layered as the treat itself. Some viewers were captivated by its indulgent appeal and artistic presentation. "Why does it look so satisfying?" one Instagram user commented. "Such an amazing experience," wrote another. "I want to try this at least once in my life." However, others weren't so easily convinced. Critics questioned its health implications and extreme sugar levels. "Nooooo!!! Too much!" exclaimed a viewer. "One word: diabetes," one user joked. Another wrote, "Add insulin to that burger." Beyond the chocolate burger, Dubai's dessert obsession is going global - thanks to another viral treat. A milk chocolate bar stuffed with pistachio cream, tahini, and crispy kadayif has taken TikTok and Instagram by storm over the past year. Dubbed 'Dubai chocolate' by fans, this layered sweet has become a must-try for content creators, dessert shops and online candy resellers. However, the hype came crashing down recently due to serious food safety concerns. On July 14, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Market issued a recall for a product called Spread Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif, manufactured by Turkish company Emek Gıda. The cause? Potential Salmonella contamination. The affected product, prominently labelled 'Dubai' and sold at World Market, closely mirrors the viral chocolate bar in its ingredients: milk chocolate, pistachio-tahini cream and shredded filo pastry. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture conducted testing as part of an investigation into imported pistachio spread products. Their findings confirmed Salmonella in product samples, prompting the recall. That's not the only issue. In the UK, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued an urgent recall for the Noesis Schokolade Love of Dubai bar, not for contamination, but because it contained undeclared peanuts - a severe allergy risk for consumers. Tempted or terrified, one thing's for sure: Dubai knows how to serve dessert - and drama - like no one else.
TimesLIVE
19-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Jet lag, jazz hands & joy: Jonathan Roxmouth's life on the musical road
Which city has the best theatre audiences — and what makes them so good? Hands down, it's Johannesburg. The audiences are warm, receptive and don't watch theatre as if it is on a screen. They get involved and when they enjoy something they make it very clear. When you think 'Broadway', what's the first image, sound or memory that comes to mind? The smell of the food carts in Times Square. They are mostly Middle Eastern so there is coal, spices and grilled meat everywhere. It's intoxicating. Which musical number are you most excited to perform again — and in which city, if you had to pick? Send in the Clowns is such a deeply personal song for me so being able to sing it again in Joburg is very special. The last time was during Back in Lights and I was shocked that it resonated with so many people. What's the most jaw-dropping theatre or concert hall you've ever performed in? The Dubai Opera House is extraordinary. The walls and floor can be moved and adjusted depending on the acoustic mix you'd prefer. It's ultra luxurious and it was a real treat to walk onto the fountain piazza after the performance. Do you have a pre-show ritual when you're in an unfamiliar city? It's always drinking way more water than I think is necessary and then an endless amount of Pei Pah Koa tea for throat health. What's your ultimate tour survival hack — for flights, hotels or backstage life? Take. Your. Own. Pillow. Have you ever had to go on stage after a travel disaster or no sleep? Tell us. That's the story of my life. Touring means jet lag. I remember going into a technical rehearsal in New Zealand after a 17-hour flight. I was hysterical and began giggling to which the choreographer uttered a now famous phrase: 'Keep it together, Jonathan!' Image: studio13lights / What's the first thing you do when you get a day off in a brand-new city? I try to find local street food and then a decent coffee. You really begin to understand the culinary culture through what the locals eat. If you could teleport to see one Broadway show, any era, any cast, what would it be? Robert Preston in The Music Man on Broadway in 1957. What city or moment on tour recently made you stop and think, 'This is why I do this'? We performed the Indian premiere of The Phantom of the Opera in Mumbai this March. During one of the performances, a little boy in the front row had come dressed as the Phantom. I winked at him and his smile is something I remember when I'm having a tough day. I WAS that little boy in 2004 so it was a full circle moment for me.
IOL News
18-07-2025
- IOL News
Dubai chocolate bar under fire: health warning issued over allergen risk
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has raised significant concerns, stressing that, 'The product presents a serious risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts.' Image: TikTok If you've spent any time on TikTok or Instagram, you've probably seen it: the oozy, luxurious "Dubai chocolate" bar. Maybe you've even hunted it down at a local speciality shop or paid a premium to see the hype. But this week, a surprising and urgent health warning is making many chocolate fans pause before their next bite. According to Tatler Asia and the BBC, the bar was dreamed up by Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian chocolatier and founder of FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai. Inspired by her pregnancy cravings, she combined pistachio cream, tahini, and the popular Middle Eastern knafeh pastry inside a silky chocolate shell. Then, TikTok worked its usual magic, millions of views, mouth-watering unboxings, and a global pistachio obsession that even nudged pistachio prices up worldwide. In South Africa, you'll spot this bar on some boutique retailer shelves for an eye-watering R500 to R700 a pop, proof that no viral craving comes cheap. So, why is this chocolate being pulled from shelves? The buzz turned bitter when the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) raised a red flag this week. A version of the chocolate, called Neosis Schokolade Love of Dubai, sold by Black Sea Trading Ltd and stocked by World Market stores, contains peanuts, but this crucial allergen wasn't listed on its label. If you or someone you know has a peanut allergy, this missing detail isn't just a mistake; it's a serious health risk. 'The product presents a serious risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts,' the FSA warned in an official statement published on Shops have been told to 'immediately stop sales and undertake product withdrawals.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Peanut allergies are no joke; they're one of the leading causes of severe food allergy reactions, and even tiny traces can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis in sensitive people. Peanut allergy affects a significant number of people, with prevalence rates varying by region and age group. In Western nations, it's estimated that 1-2% of the population has a peanut allergy. In the US, over 4 million people are affected by peanut allergies, with rates increasing in recent years. Studies have shown that peanut allergy is more common in children than adults, and prevalence rates can differ between urban and rural areas. 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies,' Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, told "The Independent". A British-Egyptian chocolatier from FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai created this luxury bar filled with pistachio cream and tahini. Image: TikTok Is anyone sick yet? So far, thankfully, no illnesses have been reported, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But that doesn't mean you should take a chance. The FSA's advice is clear: Don't buy it. Don't eat it. Dispose of it safely. If you already have one stashed away, toss it and let your local Trading Standards (in Great Britain) or Environmental Health Officers (in Northern Ireland) know where you bought it. The watchdog also raised concerns that these imported bars might be missing full ingredient lists altogether. Some versions could contain additives and food colours that aren't legal for sale in the UK, according to "The Independent". For people with food sensitivities, that's double trouble. Shops were told to immediately stop sales and pull the product from shelves, while customers were advised: don't eat it, especially if you have a peanut allergy. Dispose of it safely, and let authorities know where you bought it, stressed the FSA. In the UK, food laws require any of 14 major allergens to be clearly labelled. But as "The Independent" reports, many imported 'Dubai chocolate' bars don't include a full ingredient list or proper allergen warnings, simply because they weren't originally made for sale in the UK or the US. No recalls have been issued in South Africa yet.
