Following 28 back-to-back sold out performances at The Bioscope Independent Cinema, The Universe on Stage is set to debut their new show Hidden Giants at Joburg Theatre’s 1 000-seater Nelson Mandela Theatre for a two night only performance on 13 and 14 September.
Hidden Giants is a live science talk accompanied by an original score composed by Yasheen Modi coupled played live on stage and backdropped with beautiful cinematic visuals. It is crafted to make science not just accessible, but relatable, beautiful and entertaining for all audiences by engaging both the intellect and the emotions. simply put – science in symphony. The show will guide the audience through the remarkable journey of how humanity captured the first image of a black hole. Woven through the talk is the idea that this incredible feat was made possible by humanity’s greatest resource – our curiosity. The Universe on Stage is a duo with Dr Luca Pontiggia, a physicist and seasoned storyteller; and award-winning pianist and composer Yasheen Modi.
“This isn’t just a show; it’s an immersive journey through our universe and our place in it – a truly novel kind of live entertainment,” says Dr Luca Pontiggia. He further states “our goal is to ignite curiosity and wonder about the universe while providing a memorable experience – inspiring us to see the world with a child-like perspective.”
Hidden Giants will run on 13 and September 2024 at 19:30.
Ticket prices range from R280 – R340 and can be booked online at Webtickets or the Joburg Theatre Box Office on 0861 670 670.
The duration of the show is 1 hour 30 minutes with no interval.
Link to Audio Visual: https://youtu.be/WaaEYLF3Kko?si=zWaZHgw8A7-Zi-Po
ABOUT DR LUCA PONTIGGIA
Dr Luca earned his PhD in String Theory in 2018 at the age of 27 at Wits University. Since he was four, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in science. Born into a creative family, he has mastered the art of storytelling—winning short film awards, giving talks to sold-out shows, and working as a data science communicator. His passion for science, storytelling, design, and art all converge in his performances at The Universe on Stage.
ABOUT YASHEEN MODI
Yasheen is a talented musician and actuary. He taught himself to play the piano by ear at the age of eight and soon went on to win the Sanlam National Music Competition, earning him recognition as one of the top musicians in the country. He qualified as one of the top actuaries in the country and now leads a creative division at Discovery, with a focus on storytelling and presentation. As an award-winning composer, he is now applying his creativity to evoke the emotions behind the performances of The Universe On Stage.
ABOUT JOBURG THEATRE:
Nestled atop The City of Johannesburg, Joburg Theatre is more than a structure; it’s a living testament to the city’s vibrant cultural evolution. Born in 1962 and reborn in the ’80s with a dazzling makeover, it stands as a southern hemisphere beacon of technical brilliance.
Fast forward to the turn of the millennium, a bold move by the city council transformed the theatre into a dynamic Municipal Entity, birthing the Joburg Theatre (Pty) Ltd.
Guided by a visionary Board of Directors, the indomitable Xoliswa Nduneni Ngema at the helm, this theatrical haven evolved into the street-smart gem we now know.
The theatre consistently captivates audiences and is renowned for hosting sold-out spectacles, ranging from global sensation shows to astonishing local performances. It holds the distinction of being one of the first theatres to introduce digital streaming and collaborate with television channels, creating a new sphere for celebrating diversity in the arts.
