A triple bill of reverence, prayer and centennial celebration – culminating in the South African premiere of Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels
BRYANSTON, JOHANNESBURG – WGRUV Dance Company, the professional contemporary ballet company founded by Artistic Director Holly Gruver, will close its 2026 season with Angels In Africa, a triple bill opening in November at the Mandela Bay Opera House, Gqeberha from November 5 to 8, before travelling north for a festive-season run at the University of Johannesburg Arts and Culture Centre from November 12 to15 and the Roodepoort Theatre from December 15 to 20. Tickets are available at www.webtickets.co.za. Further information www.wgruvdance.com
Conceived as WGRUV’s Season 3 finale, Angels In Africa draws together three works of historical depth and spiritual imagination, offered as a family-friendly celebration for the festive season.
The evening opens with Reverence, set to Robert Schumann’s Symphonic Studies, Op. 13. Choreographer Jessica Lang describes the work as “my definition of ballet” – a piece built to be experienced rather than explained, moving between stillness and fluidity as four couples form shifting partnerships, turns, lifts and embraces, with recurring circular formations lending the work a sense of continuity and interconnectedness.
The production continues with Prayer, an imaginative work by Lex and Holly Gruver, inviting audiences to look beyond the obvious, communicating depth and soul through movement known to WGRUV’s contemporary style – a piece built to lift the mind toward what is unseen and eternal.
The programme closes with the South African premiere of Diversion of Angels, the landmark 1948 ballet by American modern dance pioneer Martha Graham. Staged in the Martha Graham Dance Company’s centennial year, the work traces the stages of love – adolescent, romantic and mature – through a single, unforgettable composition. WGRUV is honoured to be the first company to bring this masterwork to South African stages.
“This program is a gift to Africa,” says Holly Gruver, Artistic Director of WGRUV. “Three works, three visions of what it means to love, to reach beyond ourselves, and to be still enough to see it. We’re grateful to carry Diversion of Angels into the Graham Company’s hundredth year, and to share it here, for the first time, with the audiences of South Africa.”
Dance-lovers are encouraged to take up the Early Bird Special offering a 10% discount at Mandela Bay Theatre Complex on general tickets only valid only on bookings prior to 04 October 2026. Discounted family packages are available. Save while enjoying the multi-talented WGRUV Dance Company live on stage. Tickets are on sale at www.webtickets.co.za
“ANGELS IN AFRICA”
GQEBERHA, EASTERN CAPE
Venue: Mandela Bay Theatre Complex (@thembtc_)
Ticket prices:
Thursday, 05 November, 3pm: Dress Rehearsal R50 – to book contact Tanya: tanya@wgruvdance.com
All other performances: R250 general, R180 pensioner, R99 for children aged 2- 12.
Early Bird Special: 20% discount on general tickets. Valid only on bookings prior to 04 October 2026.
Groups: Ten-plus tickets – R180 each.
Family packages:
R1600 ( 8 tickets) – R200 each
R1290 (6 tickets) – R215 each
R 900 ( 4 tickets) – R225 each
Bookings: webtickets.co.za
UJ ARTS & CULTURE, JOHANNESBURG
Ticket prices:
Thursday, 12 November, 3pm: Dress Rehearsal R99 – to book contact Tanya: tanya@wgruvdance.com
All other performances: R300 general, R230 pensioner, R120 for children aged 2-12.
Early Bird Special: 20% discount
Valid only on bookings prior to 04 October 2026.
Groups: Groups: Ten-plus tickets – R200 each
Family packages:
R1880 ( 8 tickets) – R235 each
R1530 (6 tickets) – R255 each
R 1100 ( 4 tickets) – R275 each
Bookings: Webtickets.co.za
ROODEPOORT THEATRE, WEST RAND
Ticket prices:
All performances: R300 general, R230 pensioner, R120 for children aged 2- 12.
Early Bird Special: 20% discount
Valid only on bookings prior to 04 October 2026.
Groups: Groups: Ten-plus tickets – R200 each
Family packages:
R1880 ( 8 tickets)
R1530 ( 6 tickets)
R 1100 ( 4 tickets)
Bookings: Webtickets.co.za
