Robyn Orlin: We wear our wheels with pride

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

“In this incredibly joyful and rhythmic show…you are captivated by the sound, the liveliness of the performers and the colours” – Le Soir

“With humour and virtuosity, the choreographer pays a vibrant tribute to the heroes of her childhood” – Médiapart

ABOUT THE WORK

Robyn Orlin’s We wear our wheels with pride is a vibrant tribute to the rickshaw drivers of South Africa’s past, celebrating their resilience, artistry, and strength. Inspired by Orlin’s childhood memories of Zulu men pulling elaborately decorated rickshaws under apartheid, the piece transforms their movements into a dynamic fusion of dance, song, and theatrical spectacle. Performed by Johannesburg’s renowned Moving into Dance Mophatong (MIDM), the work reconnects with a shared cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance. Vocalist Anelisa Stuurman (Annalyzer) adds breathtaking depth, blending slam poetry, Khoisan traditions, and modern musical innovations with composer Yogin Sullaphen. Bursting with energy and defiance, We wear our wheels with pride is a visually striking, rhythmically powerful celebration of South African identity and expression.

PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
Strobe and flashing light effects are used during this performance.
Filming of the dancers and audience takes place at this event.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Robyn Orlin was born in 1955 in Johannesburg. Known in South Africa as “the permanent irritation,” through her work she reveals the difficult and complex reality of her country. She combines various artistic expressions (text, video, plastic arts…) to explore a certain theatricality that is reflected in her choreographic vocabulary. Her work includes Daddy, I’ve seen this piece six times before and I still don’t know why they’re hurting each other (1999), which won the Laurence Olivier Award for the Most Outstanding Achievement of the Year, and Beauty remained for just a moment then returned gently to her starting position… (2012), the opening performance of the South African season in France in 2013. In April 2018, Robyn Orlin returned to stage Rameau’s Pygmalion, as resident director at the Dijon Opera, in collaboration with Emmanuelle Haïm as the musical conductor. In co-production with the INA and ARTE, she directed her first film Hidden beauties, dirty histories in October 2004. Robyn Orlin was named Knight of the National Order of Merit (Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite) in 2009 and Knight of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) in 2015.

CREATIVE CREDITS

Choreographer Robyn Orlin
Performed by Moving Into Dance Mophatong dancers Sunnyboy Motau, Oscar Buthelezi, Afikamabiyase Ziqubu, Lesego Dihemo, Sbusiso Gumede and Teboho Letele
Original score written and performed by Yogin Sullaphen and Annalyzer (Anelisa Stuurman)
Video: Eric Perroys
Costumes: Birgit Neppl
Light: Romain de Lagarde
General Manager: Jean-Marc L’Hostis
Tour Manager: Thabo Pule
Stage Manager: Jordan Azincot

Première June 17, 2021, at the Théâtre National de Chaillot (FR)
Production: City Theater & Dance Group, MIDM – Moving into Dance Mophatong and Damien Valette Prod
Coproduction Festival Montpellier Danse (FR) | Tanz im August – HAU Hebbel am Ufer (DE) | Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse (FR) | Le Grand T – Théâtre de Loire-Atlantique (FR) | Charleroi danse – Centre chorégraphique de Wallonie Bruxelles (BE) | Théâtre Garonne – scène européenne (FR) | Château Rouge, scène conventionnée d’Annemasse (FR)
With the support of DRAC Ile-de-France (FR)

Administration, booking: Damien Valette
Coordination: Bertille Zimmermann