BACK TO BOCCACCIO

Tales that take you long ago and far away…

Suitable for all audiences aged 10 and up
1 hour

Travel back to the Middle Ages and wend your way through the Mediterranean basin, between the worlds of the East and the West, to a time when the great Giovanni Boccacio was spinning the stories for his famous Decameron. Sylvie Mombo retells a selection from this literary giant, taking you on an action-packed journey through tales of love, promises kept and broken, clever and valiant damsels, wild and wily pirates, and oh-so-refined gentlemen.

This performance can be expanded into serial form and told in 2 to 5 instalments.

THERE’S A STORY FOR THAT !

Storytelling concert

For all ages
1 hour

Sylvie Mombo brings you a treasure trove of stories in a performance that blends traditional tales selected from around the world, fables and poetry, and stories all her own. This is a show about words – and Sylvie’s love for them! The storyteller takes her audience on a riotous tour of her repertoire and the prancing, dancing words that swing and sway with her wherever she goes. Told with infectious verve and energy, these brilliant tales remind us all that life is a story waiting to be told – or a song to be sung!

Fun for the whole family, from babies to great-grannies.

FEATHER COAT, IRON BOOTS

A fairy tale

Suitable for all audiences aged 9 and up
1 hour

A journey from the belly of the earth to the tipmost top of the sky…and back.

Deep inside the Earth lives Turna, the youngest daughter of a powerful and very strict man. Turna’s father has forbidden her to step outside their home: “The world of the humans is too cruel,” he tells her. One day, in secret, Turna decides to disguise herself as bird and fly away…

Shahin is the eldest son of a gentle, loving mother. One day, she says to Shahin, “Your beard is growing in, my son – it’s time you were off to see the world!” The young man gathers together a few fish bones, his deck of cards, and all his youthful courage, and sets out to seek his fortune.  

When the two young people meet, an extraordinary adventure begins… one that will leave you on the edge of your seat…  

SYLVIE MOMBO TELLS IT AS SHE BREATHES IT !

Storytelling à la carte

Suitable for all audiences aged 10 and up

This intimate performance builds a bond between storyteller and audience as Sylvie Mombo recounts her vast and fascinating repertoire, improvising the order of the telling to fit the mood and setting, following her inspiration as it unfolds. Spinning tales of Africa and beyond, of love and loss, of childhood and exile, of laughter and dreams… The artist tells it as she breathes it, with gusto and glee in a show that overflows with energy, humour, and fun!

This performance can be adapted as a strolling performance and tailored to fit almost any event: festivals and gatherings, walking tours, cocktail parties, gallery or museum visits… Following the rhythm of her breath, Sylvie whisks her audience from one world to the next in a whirlwind of stories.

THE EBONY WARRIOR

A love story… and a mystical, magical plunge into the equatorial jungle

Suitable for all audiences aged 7 and up
1 hour

Although it is strictly forbidden in her village, young Matsang is friends with a tree – a secret she keeps to herself for many years. Until she grows up, and love leads her to do the unimaginable…  

Sylvie’s powerful, enchanting rendition of this traditional tale is inspired by some of life’s grandest themes: nature, otherness, impossible love. This performance is drawn from “The Ebony Warrior,” as told by celebrated Congolese poet and storyteller Kama-Sywor Kamanda.

WHEN BIVIOU TELLS IT

A sassy, silly tale spiced with Nyembwe sauce that packs fun and flavour for the whole family

45 minutes

Little Biviou never listens! In her village, her antics raise a chorus of angry “Tsks” and even her mother is losing patience with her. Will Biviou ever change? It’s going take an enchanted rock, a big fat strong woman, and a face-off with a hungry lion to find out.