With enigmatic and provocative titles like "Daddy, I've seen this piece six times and I still don't know why they're hurting each other," South African choreographer Robyn Orlin has sparked more curiosity worldwide than anybody in the dance scene since Trisha Brown during the 1960s. After several hit performances in this capital in recent years, Orlin will be back in town for this year's Festival d’Automne performing a new choreography "Have You Hugged, Kissed and Respected Your Brown Venus Today?" at the Théâtre de la Ville (Nov. 30-Dec. 3).

Orlin is a rebel with many causes. Her highly political performance pieces aim to be both subversive and funny. Using humor, sexual innuendoes and seemingly incongruous everyday objects - she explores themes dealing with intolerance, colonialism, racism and sexism. Her long titles don't necessarily directly relate to her projects, which "stokes" much of her mystique.

Her new show deals with the life of Saartje Baartman born in 1789 – better known as the Hottentot Venus – who was brought from Africa to Europe, exhibited as a sexual object, and later used by scientists to support theories of racial inequality. "Have you hugged, kissed and respected your brown Venus today?" is Orlin’s tribute to Baartman, whose tragic fate comes back to haunt the stage.

Orlin’s work is subversive, unbridled, and refuses to be contained even within the limits of the stage: actors frequently mingle with the audience both before and during her shows, and in keeping with Orlin’s own unflinching view on the world, her dancers often get up-close to the audience, demanding that they in some way engage with them and the play.

Her directing style is often vaudevillian, and has previously brought together a cappella singers, stand-up comedy, urban dance, opera and lap-dance. Represented by five actresses and singers, in this show the ‘Venus’ swaps between documentary images and bodily presence. “What interests me,” says Orlin, “is what happens when science and show business... converge in anthropological spectacles”.

"Have You Hugged, Kissed and Respected Your Brown Venus Today?" November 30-Dec. 3rd, 8:30pm, Sat. 3pm and 8:30pm. Théâtre de la Ville. Adresse : 2, place du Châtelet – 75004 Paris
Métro : Châtelet-RER : Châtelet-Les Halles. Réservation : 01 42 74 22 77  http://www.theatredelaville-paris.com