Roodepoort Theatre is the next stop in WGRUV Dance Company’s tour of beautiful new production “Art Effect”
SALM TEAM 
Show enjoys excellent reviews as trio of dancers get a chance to return to their home theatre
“Art Effect” by WGRUV Dance company continues its national tour, with the next performances taking place at Roodepoort Theatre from 05 to 07 November 2025. The first performance at 14h00 on Wednesday, 05 November is a matinee especially for school students. Special group and pensioner discounts are available. For further details and all ticket bookings visit www.webtickets.co.za.
The show’s run at the UJ Arts Centre in Auckland Park from 10-12 October garnered rave reviews, with audience comments on WGRUV’s social media accounts reflecting the impact of many different aspects of the show: “Wow! Totally amazing!”; “Art in motion”; “Beautiful – loved it!”; “World class”; “Loved the African beats” and “Truly beautiful, powerful show.”
On arts and culture website pARTicipate, arts writer Bruce Dennill noted: “The soundtrack is driven by the percussion of Tommy Gruver and Decius Pitjadi, as in sync as the dancers as they play quick, intricate rhythms”; “The upward trajectory of relatively new dance company WGRUV continues apace with Art Effect” and “…energises the room, ensuring the audience leaves on a high.”
“Art Effect” features a dynamic fusion of classical technique, personal expression and cultural narrative, bringing together four choreographic voices and exploring movement as an artistic statement.
“Vivace Motifs” by New York choreographer Jessica Lang is a restaging of her refined ballet for six dancers, set to the music of Handel and Corelli and featuring Baroque-inspired gestures. “Postures” by Lex and Holly Gruver includes a collaboration with visual artist Greatjoy Ndlovu, translating the expressive the charcoal artistry of his human figures into movement and using a classical contemporary approach to explore physical expressions of hope. Neoclassical duet “Game On” by American dancer and choreographer Lauren Lovette playfully captures the spirit of competition. “Rosie” by Roseline Wilkins of Vuyani Dance marks WGRUV’s debut in African contemporary vocabulary. This personal and emotive work includes the sounds of live percussionists Decius Pitjadi and Tommy Gruver.
The Roodepoort season of “Art Effect” is something of homecoming for three WGRUV dancers. Lisa Stapelberg grew up in the West Rand, began dancing professionally at 17 and joined WGRUV a year later, in 2023. Jenna Grove and Nicola Tolmay both attended St Catherine’s Convent School in Roodepoort (at different times), while growing up nearby. Jenna, 19, loves the way dance can tell stories and share joy, while Nicola, 22, still resident in the area gained much of her early experience competing in the Roodepoort Dance Festival between 2009 and 2024.
“We can’t wait to perform for Roodepoort audiences again,” says WGRUV Director Holly Gruver. “We love the Roodepoort theatre and this show is such a wonderful mix of different creative ideas.”
“Art Effect” is a collaboration of art, music and dance that creates a stage performance that will touch the heart and engage the mind. Join WGRUV Dance Company for performances filled with artistry, meaning and breathtaking dance. Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za and cost between R99 and R220.
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“ART EFFECT”
ROODEPOORT, WEST RAND, GAUTENG
Venue: Roodepoort Theatre(@RoodepoortT)
Dates & Show Times: Wednesday, 05 November at 14h00 (Kids show)
Thursday, 06 November at 19h30
Friday, 07 November at 19:30
Ticket prices:
R220 general, R170 pensioner, R155 groups of 10 or more,
R99 for children under 12.
Bookings: webtickets.co.za
SOCIAL MEDIA
WGRUV Dance Company
Website: wgruvdance.com
Facebook: WGRUV Dance International Instagram: @WGRUV Dance
Choreographers
Instagram: @hollygruver, @lex_gruver_, @jessicalangchoreographer, @laurenlovette, @roselinewilkens
Fine artist
Instagram: @greatjoy_n
Percussionists
Instagram: @decius_desh @tommygruver
Hashtags
#ArtEffect #WGRUVDance #WGRUVDanceCompany #WGRUV2025
