Storyteller shares a personal journey of colonialism in upcoming SJTC presentation performance.
Mbene Mwambene is a Zambian-Malawian actor, journalist, poet, theater director, story-teller and dancer currently based in Bern, Switzerland. He is the first African to have `been granted privilege`to study at Bern University of Arts for a Master degree in Expanded Theater. In 2011, Prof. Christoph Nix from Theater Konstanz, Germany, commissioned Mbene to produce a solo piece, The Story of a Tiger which he later performed in various countries across Africa, Europe and Asia.
Mbene’s work is mainly focused on post-colonial themes within and outside theatrical settings. His professional acting life has revolved around doing interactive theatre, storytelling, improvised performances and singing, solo pieces, comedies and body movement. Beside stage performances, Mbene facilitates workshops in prisons, schools, community places and refugee camps in Africa and Europe.
Mwambene’s upcoming performance, The Whispers, is a solo physical performance that brings a personal journey of colonialism to life. Described as a response to both the colonial and current perspective of being Black, Mwambene weaves storytelling, poetry, sarcasm, music, and body movement to create a unique performance that asks, “is a modern Black man free to choose who he becomes?”
The Whispers will run at the BMO Studio Theatre on November 11 and 12 starting at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the show are $25, $15 for students.
To order tickets visit tickets.saintjohntheatrecompany.com or call the SJTC box office at 506-652-7582 ext. 236
