“Thought-provoking, moving, and inspiring… Universe on Stage simultaneously immerses the audience in the wonders of our universe and entertains with stunning visuals and score.” – Hylton Kallner, CEO Discovery Bank
At the debut of The Black Hole Symphony by Universe on Stage (UOS) in November 2025, the audience was spellbound – treating the performers like rock stars. It helps that UOS is led by actuary and composer Yasheen Modi and physicist Dr Luca Pontiggia (also Mister Supranational Africa 2025) – a pair as charismatic as they are compelling. Together, they tackle life’s biggest questions in a way that feels accessible, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining. A 32-piece string ensemble from the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) joined the performance, adding depth and drama to Modi's original compositions and Pontiggia's poetic storytelling.
The Black Hole Symphony connects the vastness of space to the intricacies of human experience – linking black holes, gravitational waves, and star birth to our daily lives. Watching Modi perform the original score live adds a layer of intimacy: it’s as if the universe is being played at your fingertips. What struck us was the diversity of the audience – and how many people keep coming back. Over the years, Modi and Pontiggia have built something special: a community that’s grown alongside the show.
About Universe on Stage
What began as an intimate performance at The Bioscope at 44 Stanley in 2022 – with fewer than 80 people in the room – has become a nationwide phenomenon. UOS has since performed to more than 20,000 people across South Africa in over 30 sold-out shows, including appearances at Joburg Theatre and a special collaboration with Joburg Ballet.While the subject matter centres on complex scientific ideas, Pontiggia tells us: "It's not a lecture. I'm using science to tell a much deeper story about being a human, persistence, curiosity, innovation, all of that." Modi's compositions carry the narrative, marrying intellect and emotion. "I think the way you actually get people to make change in their life is by giving them emotion, which creates a desire to make the change that they want to make," Pontiggia says.
Further reading: Get to know Universe on Stage duo Yasheen Modi and physicist Dr Luca Pontiggia.
A cosmic spectacle
Blending science, storytelling, and live orchestral music, the production takes audiences on a journey through the mysteries of the universe. It combines a cinematic visual experience with original compositions by UOS and poetic narration, exploring everything from Einstein’s theories and the birth of stars to neutron stars, gravitational waves, and the enigmatic pull of black holes. The music and visuals work together in a way that’s genuinely transporting. You feel like you’re on the journey with them, part of the unfolding story. The experience is elevated further by the live orchestral score performed by the JPO.
