Junior Mthombeni

Junior Mthombeni is a theatre-maker, actor and musician. In recent years he has made a name for himself as the artistic head of the SinCollectief, with whom he created such highly praised productions as Troost (with the NoMoBS hip hop collective), Rumble in da Jungle and Reizen Jihad.

As a creator, he is also part of the collective Jr.cE.sA.r with Fikry El Azzouzi and Cesar Janssens. They were responsible for the successes Malcolm X (“breaking point in Flemish theatre history” – De Standaard) and Drarrie in de Nacht (“cool scattergun”, also according to De Standaard). Together with KVS artistic director Michael De Cock, he directed the Brel-adaptation of L’Homme de La Mancha, based on the book Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. This recent production was also widely praised: “A bomb. Explosive direction. Unexpected, poetic, and with a magnificent finale,” according to RTBF.

His work as a director presents a theatrical interpretation of burning topical issues (e.g. Syria fighters, corner boys, ...), but equally examines the contemporary significance of inspiring people, movements and events from the recent past, like Malcolm X. Working with a multiethnic cast, Mthombeni captures the metropolitan setting in a form of contemporary music theatre that is influenced by urban arts and musical traditions from every continent.

He himself also appeared on stage as a musician, singer and actor from a very early age. He has worked with, among others, Tone Brulin at the KNS and Alida Neslo at De Nieuwe Amsterdam, and for many years appeared with such bands as Afrobeat Association, El Tattoo Del Tigre, the African Jazz Pioneers and the Internationals.

In the spring of 2020, Junior Mthombeni brings a very personal story to the stage with Dear Winnie. As a tribute to his father, a former ANC resistance fighter, and to his confidant, Winnie Mandela, he creates a musical performance about the infectious power of exceptional people. 

PHOTOS
(high-res images which you can use free of charge with attribution)

Performances by and with Junior Mthombeni