Earth, Wheels, Air
Earth, Wheels, Air
A genre-defying live show combining contemporary dance, aerial circus and physical performance that celebrates inclusive practice and creative innovation — with artists across two continents.
Earth, Wheels, Air is an international creative collaboration between Extraordinary Bodies and Kenya’s leading inclusive contemporary dance company, Pamoja Dance Group. Together, we have created a performance that transcends borders, challenges assumptions, and celebrates the extraordinary range of D/deaf, disabled and non-disabled artists working together.
Earth, Wheels, Air is an Unlimited International Open Award 2024 commission, made possible by the British Council.
Co Created By
Extraordinary Bodies and Pamjoa Dance Group
Produced By
Alice Chutter
Directed By
Joseph Kanyenje
THE WORK
Our artists are developing a unique movement practice and physical storytelling as they transition from the earth, onto wheels, and into the air. Exploring their individual and collective modes of transport — and their ways of moving through the world — the artists share their journeys.
Suspension and flight through aerial circus (trapeze, silks and harness) reveals the narratives uncovered through the interplay of different bodies. Each one with its own movement quality and characteristics. Woven throughout is live music by UK-based Kenyan musician Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno, whose traditional Kenyan instruments and song bring another dimension to the action.
“We are artists. The conditions we face have turned us into acrobats.” Joseph Kanyenje, Pamoja Dance Group
“Brave, hilarious and powerful”
Audience member in Plymouth
“Totally inspired by its honesty, courage and power”
Audience member in 2020
“Life-affirming, familiar and poignant.”
Audience member in Brighton
THE JOURNEY
October 2024 — Nairobi, Kenya
The research and development of Earth, Wheels, Air launched in Nairobi, with the Extraordinary Bodies artists navigating a new city and culture, gathering stories and movement alongside their Kenyan collaborators.
February 2025 — Plymouth, UK
Pamoja Dance Company came to the UK for a second week of research and development at TR2, Theatre Royal Plymouth’s production and learning centre. The team explored the experiences of disability across Africa and the UK — the ways people move through and negotiate their environments — finding both commonalities and differences. The week culminated in a joyous sharing to an invited audience, with the themes, artforms and artists coming together to reveal the potential of a fully-realised show
March 2026 — Kenya
As part of the UK/Kenya Season of Culture, supported by the British Council, the company returned to Kenya to perform to Kenyan audiences — a landmark moment for the project and for the partnership between the two companies.
Artists and Creative Team
Alice Chutter
Producer
Joseph Kanyenje Muriithi
Director of Pamoja Dance
Jonny Leitch
Artist
Tilly Lee-Kronick
Artist
Beatrice Wambui Maina
Artist
Chris Mandela Orwa
Artist
Saul Baum
Rigger
Daniella Faircloth
Crrative Access
Jamie Beddard
Creative Mentor
About Pamoja Dance
Pamoja Dance Group was founded in 2006 by Miriam Rother; a literature teacher and dance professional, and is among very few dance troupes in Kenya that integrate disabled and non-disabled performers. The troupe uses dance to explore subjects ranging from oppression to war, to climate change. Joseph Kanyenje became the Company’s artistic director in 2009 and continues to build the company and its international collaborations.
Creative Credits
Artistic Director
- Joseph Kanyenje Muriithi, Pamoja Dance Group
Performance Artists
- Jonny Leitch, Extraordinary Bodies (Lead Artist & Collaborator)
- Beatrice Wambui Maina, Pamoja Dance Group
- Chris Mandela Orwa, Pamoja Dance Group
- Aislinn Mulligan, Extraordinary Bodies
Musical Director & Live Musician
- Michel Ongaro
Sound & Lighting Design
- Odah Ochieng, Dark Light Events
Creative & Production Team
- Alice Chutter, Producer
- Saul Baum, Rigger
- Tilly Lee-Kronick, Collaborating Artist
- Jamie Beddard, Creative Mentor
- Billy Alwen, Creative Mentor
- Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno, Musician during UK residency
Access Team
- Daniella Faircloth, Creative Access
- Lucas Wandukwa, KSL Interpreter
- Gideon Kariuki Maina, KSL Interpreter
Funding
Earth, Wheels, Air is an Unlimited International Open Award 2024 commission, made possible thanks to funding from the British Council. We are grateful for the support that has brought this collaboration to life. We hope to continue to develop this project and bring it to more audiences in both Kenya and the UK.
A Big Thank You
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed their time creativity and energy to bring this show to life.
- Woodland Star International School Kenya
- Theatre Royal Plymouth
- Rockets & Rascals
- Plymouth Boat Hires
- Aerial All Sorts Plymouth
- Plymouth Deaf Association
- Tribe Hotel Group
- Limuru Children's Centre
- Sarakasi Trust