Ruhrtriennale - Hillbrowfication

Hillbrowfication, Constanza Macras | © Ursula Kaufmann, Ruhrtriennale 2022

The work, created under the guidance of choreographer Constanza Macras, fascinates due to the infectious energy of its performers and humorously challenges our view of how the world operates.

About the production

21 children and young people from Hillbrow, a district of Johannesburg, outline possible and impossible scenarios for the future of their district and its inhabitants. Hillbrow, originally planned as a model development, is now infamous for its poverty and corruption. On stage the performers dance scenes about »the Hillbrow of the future«. What might a life together in the district look like in an ideal future? We see utopias and dystopias of ghettoisation and gentrification. Aliens land on earth and establish a new social hierarchy where good dancers call the shots. A revolutionary princess with an endless name has the gift of shifting the parameters of space and time. People have learned to levitate off the ground instead of struggling with broken elevators. They deal with the racism and violence they experience daily and subvert stereotypical narratives. The work, created under the guidance of choreographer Constanza Macras, fascinates due to the infectious energy of its performers and humorously challenges our view of how the world operates.

Produced by Constanza Macras | Dorkypark and Outreach Foundation's Hillbrow Theatre Project.
Co-produced by Maxim Gorki Theater Berlin.

For Big Boy

I met Big Boy in 2018 when we started the process of Hillbrowfication. Back then he was 19 years old. He was already a wonderful dancer, hungry for learning and for developing his movement language to create his own choreographic works. Read more

Cast

Director
Choreography ,
Dramaturgy Tamara Saphir
Costume Design
Costume Management, Props Management Marcus Barros Cardoso
Lighting Design, Technical Direction Sergio de Carvalho Pessanha
Sound Design Stephan Wöhrmann

Assistant Director Mica Heilmann
Tour Management Marie Glassl, Xiao Yu
Production Assistant Johannesburg Linda Michael Mkhwanazi
International Distribution Plan B - Creative Agency for Performing Arts Hamburg

With Miki Shoji, Emil Bordás, John Sithole, Zibusiso Dube, Bigboy Ndlovu, Nompilo Hadebe, Rendani Dlamini, Brandon Mangengelele, Tshepang Lebelo, Jackson Mogotlane, Bongani Mangena, Karabo Kgatle, Sandile Mtembo, Vusi Magoro, Amahle Mene, Thato Ndlovu, Simiso Msimango, Blessing Opaku, Pearl Segwagwa, Ukho Somadlaka, Lwandile Thabede

Production Manager Ruhrtriennale Karina Häßlein
Technical Project Manager Ruhrtriennale Darko Šošić
address
Language
Age note
Duration
Audience Talk
Construction site notice

Please note that extensive construction work is currently taking place at Duisburg Central Station, which may lead to delays and track changes. Due to construction work, the "Landschaftspark Nord" stop can currently only be reached by rail replacement service from the "Meiderich Bahnhof" stop. Please inform yourself in advance about the exact location and plan enough time for your journey.
rickshaw shuttle

We offer a rickshaw shuttle with two vehicles for the connection between the "Meiderich Bahnhof" stop and the Gebläsehalle venue in the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park. The rickshaws run every 15 minutes from one hour before and until one hour after each performance in the Gebläsehalle and are free of charge for you.