Mongi Mthombeni

(19*-) Choreographer, scriptwriter and performer. ***

Performances include roles in Fuse (NAF, 2004), A Place with the Pigs (NAF, 2006), ***Among the works choreographed are Serotonin Productions' Surfacing (NAF, 2006), ** Mongi Mthombeni was shortlisted for the 2005 Naledi’s in the Best Male Newcomer/ Breakthrough for his performance in Fuse which has been described as “a performance injected with a hyperactive, madcap sense of humour as impressive as the physical performances”. Mongi is interested in physical creativity, and devised theatre, and he brings dynamism and energy to his directing. Mongi is an ex-Rhodes student running rampant with an honours degree in mime, directing, physical theatre and play studies. He was trained under Andrew Buckland and Phillipa de Villiers (a Le Coq mime instructor). He has performed with Andrew Buckland (touring Edinburgh Festival), and Nicolas Ellenbogen (Theatre for Africa). Mongi currently teaches Physical theatre at the Cape Town Film school, AFDA. He recently auditioned for Cirque du Soleil and is now an infamous performer on a global scale. He plans to take over the SA performance scene (violently if necessary), so catch him at this workshop while he's relatively unknown and still humble. Created: 4 November 2009 By Lindsey Kin I attended the preview and DVD launch of The Sandman’s Tale of Coppelia on Friday, 9 October 2009. The event was held at 09:30 at The Fringe Theatre of the Joburg Theatre Complex, previously known as the Joburg Civic Theatre. A feeling of anticipation filled the air as we settled into our seats. With my ballet background, I was extremely excited to see the new DVD. The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT), together with Izithombe TV Productions, have put together an edutainment DVD titled The Sandman’s tale of Coppelia. The story is a 27-minute children’s version of Coppelia. Those involved in this Proudly South African initiative include producers, Christo Gerlach and Mariette Cloete; scriptwriter, Mongi Mthombeni; and Brenda Rust, Marketing and Distribution Manager. Dancers, Burnise Silvius and Michael Revie play the lead roles of Swanhilda and Franz, respectively. Dr Coppelius is played by character artist, Jacob Mosehla.

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