| What: Hidden Giants, presented by Universe On Stage When: December 11โ14 , 2025 Where: The Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre, Cape Town Featuring: Physicistย Dr Luca Pontiggiaย and composer-actuaryย Yasheen โYashโ Modi, Duration:ย Approximately 90 minutes Bookings:ย Webtickets Tickets: R260-R540. Discounts for 12 years and under, students, loyal newsletter subscribers and groups of four or more Followย @theuniverseonstageย on Instagram for ticket announcements and behind-the-scenes content. Sign up to the newsletter on the website here: https://universeonstage.com/about-team ย |
What happens when a physicist – and Mr South Africa 2024 first runner-up – teams up with an actuary who also happens to be a brilliant musical composer? Answer: The Universe on Stage. Read more about the hit show, Hidden Giants, which has captivated Johannesburg audiences and will be on in Cape Town, December 11โ14 , 2025, at The Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre, Cape Town. Theย show, created by physicistย Dr Luca Pontiggiaย and composer-actuaryย Yasheen โYashโ Modi,ย has been described as โa cinematic stage experience that explores one of the most profound mysteries of our cosmos –ย black holesย – through breathtaking visuals, original live music, and storytelling that makes even the most complex science beautiful and accessible.โ
Universe On Stage Presents โHidden Giantsโ
The cosmic experience that wowed Johannesburg audiences comes to Cape Town
After successful runs in Johannesburg thrilling thousands and more than 30 sold out shows, Hidden Giants – the extraordinary live show that fuses science, storytelling, and music – is finally coming to Cape Town. From December 11โ14, 2025, audiences at The Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre, will be transported across galaxies in an immersive journey through space, sound, and human curiosity.
Created by physicist Dr Luca Pontiggia and composer-actuary Yasheen โYashโ Modi, Hidden Giants is a cinematic stage experience that explores one of the most profound mysteries of our cosmos – black holes – through breathtaking visuals, original live music, and storytelling that makes even the most complex science beautiful and accessible.
Using the worldโs first image of a black hole as its starting point, the show reveals just how extraordinary these cosmic giants are – and how human innovation made it possible to โsee the unseeable.โ
โThis isnโt just a show; itโs a voyage into the universe and into ourselves,โ says Dr Pontiggia. โWeโve designed it for everyone – from children and students to thinkers and dreamers. Itโs entertainment that stirs curiosity, emotion, and wonder.โ
Modi adds: โOur goal with Universe on Stage is to explore our understanding of the Universe, presenting it in a way that evokes both the intellectual and the emotional.โ
The Cape Town edition of Hidden Giants mirrors the immersive creative elements that have had Gauteng audiences talking and returning to each new show, with sound that helps feel the gravitational pull of deep space, turning science into sensation. Cinematic visuals for high-impact projections will guide the audience deeper into space with awe-inspiring imagery.
โCape Town audiences are passionate about art, science, and innovation – and this show brings all three together,โ adds Yash. โWe canโt wait to share this journey with the Mother City.โ
Perfect for:
- Curious minds and creative thinkers
- Families (recommended for ages 8+)
- Date-night adventurers looking for something unforgettable
- Science and music lovers alike
- Educators looking to inspire the next generation of explorers and scientists.
Audiences across South Africa have called the show โspellbinding,โ โthought-provoking,โ and โa symphony of science and emotion.โ
Show Details:
Dates: December 11 โ 14, 2025 with shows on Thursday and Friday starting at 7pm and shows on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. More shows will be added on demand.
Venue: The Star Theatre, Homecoming Centre, District Six, Cape Town
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Tickets: Can be bought on Webtickets and cost R260 to R540
There are discounts for 12 years and under, students, loyal newsletter subscribers and groups of four or more.
Follow @theuniverseonstage on Instagram for ticket announcements and behind-the-scenes content. Sign up to the newsletter on the website here: https://universeonstage.com/about-team
About The Universe on Stage
Founded by physicist Dr Luca Pontiggia (PhD String Theory) and composerโactuary/guitarist/pianist Yasheen โYashโ Modi, Universe on Stage is an independent creative studio that blends science, music, visuals and storytelling to make the wonders of the universe accessible, emotional and entertaining. theuniverseonstage+2theuniverseonstage+2 Their mission: โto explore our understanding of the Universe, presenting it in a way that evokes both the intellectual and the emotional.โ theuniverseonstage They design live performances, tailor-made events for schools and corporates, and public shows that โdisplay the wonders of the Universe in creative and captivating ways.
Luca and Yash have staged several other shows aside from Hidden Giants, which include: Black Hole Symphony partnering with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Celestial Bodies with the Joburg Ballet and Universe Unravelled, with plans to roll these shows out to Cape Town audiences and even beyond South Africa. The pair are constantly creative and are currently have new projects in the works to continue their mission to provide experiences that inspire, entertain, inform and elevate.
Audience Comments:
โMy children were completely mesmerised and gripped the entire time.โ Dinesh Govender, CEO Vitality.
โCan’t wait for the next one. I don’t think there are enough words to describe the experience.โ Mish Cheri, audience member.
โLuca’s eloquence and stage presence effortlessly draw the audience into the mysteries of the universe, leaving them both intellectually stimulated and emotionally moved. His ability to intertwine science and art in such a seamless manner is a testament to his creativity and dedication to pushing the boundaries of intellectual thought leadership.โ Karren Sanderson, COO Discovery Health.
โBoth Luca and Yash have this incredible effect where they impact the entire audience – from the youngest grade eight to the oldest history teacherโ. Sammy Kramer, student King David.
โWe were blown away, especially my 11-year-old son. He hasn’t stopped talking about it, and I want you and Yasheen to know that the production you’ve put on creates an indelible mark on young scientists, mathematicians, and engineers alike- something our country needs now more than ever.โ Vaughn Jones, CEO Garrun Group.
โThought-provoking, moving and inspiring. The universe on stage simultaneously immerses the audience in the wonders of our universe and entertains with stunning visuals and score.โ Hylton Kallner CEO Discovery Bank.
โI saw the universe on stage and I was absolutely blown away by the care and attention to detail given to what is first of all an amazing story told by Luca, but also by the music by Yash which I find spell-binding. I think the whole thing makes for a very immersive experience.โ Gareth Cliff, Cliff Central.
โThey masterfully combine truth and beauty that fills the heart with wonder at the magnificence of the galaxy we live in. The interaction between Lucaโs speaking and Yashโs piano reflect the very dance between the truths of the universe and the sheer beauty of it all. My students loved it!โ Tyra Mouron, Science Teacher.
About The Composer:
Yasheen Modi is an actuary, composer, and performer, currently the Head of Technical Marketing at Discovery. He started playing the piano at age 8 and quickly rose to prominence, winning the prestigious Sanlam National Music Competition at just 11 years old. He also excelled academically, graduating summa cum laude in actuarial science from Wits University.
Yasheen thrives at the intersection of logic and creativity. In his professional role, he bridges the worlds of finance and storytelling. As the pianist for Universe on Stage, he fuses the intellectual and the emotional with music.
“Frรฉdรฉric Chopin composed the Revolutionary รtude – his most demanding work that symbolized Polandโs defiance against Russian rule. This piece has served as the foundation of my career โ going against expectation.โ
Yasheenโs journey and work are a testament to the power of defying convention, creating a symphony of order and spontaneity.
About the Physicist:
Dr Luca Pontiggia holds an undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering and a PhD in theoretical physics (string theory) from Wits. He now serves as a Senior Data Scientist and Head of Technical Communications at Discovery.
Raised by an engineer father and an artist mother, Luca grew up at the crossroads of logic and creativity. Inspired by visionaries like Da Vinci and Einstein, he developed a deep passion for both the science and the storytelling behind our universe.
This passion fuels his wide-ranging pursuits – from directing an award-winning short film and running a photography business to officiating weddings, dabbling in furniture design, and even becoming first runner-up in the 2024 Mr South Africa pageant. Through it all, Luca brings curiosity, discipline, and imagination together to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.
โณ Sponsored content. Images supplied.
