Johannesburg — TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, showing at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton until October 2 , is a theatrical gem; a marvellous, tough-minded, brilliant piece of work.

It tells the story of a teacher who walks humbly, acts justly and loves tenderly; who recognises that life is what it is, and the best way to deal with it is gently.

His philosophy is simple: when we think about how other people are feeling, we stop concentrating so hard on ourselves.

That way we expand, rather than contract, and so the world expands along with us.

Graham Hopkins plays Brandeis University sociology lecturer, Morrie Schwartz, who learns that he is dying of Lou Gehrig's disease. His genial politeness, his friendliness, his verbal wit and energy long ago won the heart and mind of undergraduate Mitch Albom.

Albom visits him weekly, watching his mentor degenerate as a form of sclerosis affects Morrie's breathing and muscle control.

Asher Stoltz, as the erstwhile student, inhabits this fragile terrain with steadfastness and candour, and a psychological intelligence that emphasises the meaning of courage.

Hopkins has made a brilliant career out of playing understated, restrained men, using a convincing matter-of-factness that doesn't try to smooth out the edges.

Now, in a superb piece of artistry, he captures every chink and gleam of Morrie's decency and common sense, his deliberate decision to face down what is going to happen to him before it does, and so maintain a feeling of power and of being in control.

Here is a character who must fall apart and articulate the process at the same time. Watch Hopkins decelerate, become physically blurry, his jaw line soften and his mouth disappear into his teeth; and all the while his artful mind works with unabashed vigour, adding joy and humour to the sum of human happiness.

The direction, by Alan Swerdlow, is nimble, accurate and appropriate. The production is a glorious treat from start to finish.

The opening night of the 12th JOMBA! CONTEMPORARY DANCE EXPERIENCE at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban set the bar for an exciting festival that runs until September 12.

Three commissioned works by Durban choreographers Desire Davids, Sifiso Majola and Vusi Makhanya shared the stage in the New Works programme. Davids, an accomplished and hugely experienced dancer, who has worked and travelled internationally, here creates only her second choreographic piece, which is loaded with symbolism and is deeply personal.

"Who is this beneath my skin?" is a search for self; a call to break away from stereotypes and seek to be unique in a world that sells us the line that "One size fits all" much too often.

She undertakes a striptease that literally and metaphorically bares her soul and body in a brave and fiercely independent work.

She collaborates with French photographer and videographer Pascale Beroujon, whose sublime images are an integral part of the work. The integration of trainees from Flatfoot Dance Company rounds off the work.

Majola, a homeboy from KwaMashu who has been working with the First Physical Theatre Company in Grahamstown, pays tribute to his mentors and teachers in "I Thank You", a duo with Siyabulela Mbambaza.

It marks a new direction for this young dance maker, who uses layers of text, music and dance to express his message.

"God's Unspoken Words" by Makhanya reveals a choreographer with a huge story to tell.

His work gives us a window into the world of his community and an issue that affects him deeply: how power and greed has corrupted religion and the church in SA.

His young company tackles the theme with vigour and Stembiso Gcabashe and Gabriel Masango impress with their virtuoso duo.

Makhanya uses evocative lighting and sound to enhance the dance.

Sylvia Glasser's "Threads" is on tonight and tomorrow with Joburg's Moving Into Dance Mophatong, while "Still Untitled" on Saturday and Sunday is not to be missed.