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KVS

Michael De Cock

Michael De Cock, artistic director of KVS, is an author, actor and director, amongst many other titles. From 2006 to 2016 he was director of ‘t Arsenaal in Mechelen. He has been setting out the artistic policy at KVS since the 2016-17 season.

Author

De Cock has around twenty publications to his name, which are successful nationally and internationally. His work was published in over ten languages. He has also become a prolific script writer. He adapted his play Achter de wolken into a feature film, directed by Cecilia Verheyden. In 2018 the film version of his book series Rosie en Moussa, directed by Dorothée Van Den Berghe, conquered many film buffs’ hearts.

Michael De Cock regularly contributes articles in Knack, De Standaard and De Morgen. He has been writing about Europe and migration for about twenty years and can be considered an expert in the field in the Flemish context. He travelled along the borders of Fort Europe with photographer Stephan Vanfleteren for the book Aller/Retour, which will be adapted into a film by Dorothée Van Den Berghe in 2021.

Director – theatre maker

De Cock has earned his laurels as a director with productions including Bash (NTGent), HEDDA, De Pruimelaarstraat, De koning sterft, Drie Zusters, Dood van een handelsreiziger and Odysseus. Een zwerver komt thuis. 

He started bringing the topic of migration into theatre years ago with creations including Haven010, Febar, Saw it on television/DIDN’T UNDERSTAND and Kamyon. He scored internationally with the latter two projects, set in lorries, and is creating a network from Istanbul to Ljubljana and Limoges, from Antwerp tot London. He also travelled the world (including Madrid and Montevideo) with L’Homme de La Mancha, his 2018 co-creation with Junior Mthombeni. Thanks to his background as a Romanist, De Cock maintains close contacts with various French-language companies in Brussels, Wallonia, France, Senegal and Canada.

In 2019 he helped acting legend Chris Lomme look back on her life in the solo performance Reverence and adapted Mrs Dalloway for the stage with Spanish director Carme Portaceli. In 2021 the duo takes on the challenge of creating a contemporary version of Madame Bovary – in tandem with director Jaco Van Dormael who is creating the film version Bovary, which will air on Canvas on 30 April 2021. In the Covid year of 2021 he is adapting and directing Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor for La Monnaie with Fabrice Murgia (Théâtre National) into a much-anticipated film version.

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

Performances by and with Michael De Cock

  • MINDBLOWERS 2023: Power

    VUB & KVS
    Thu 12.10.2023 18:00 - 21:30
    Expect performances that sit at the crossroads of art, culture and reflection – and, given all that lies ahead this election year, our theme for 2023 is well-chosen: Power!
    KVS, Brussels
    KVS BOX
    12.10.2023
    18:00 - 21:30
    Past event

  • Book launch Alleen verbeelding kan ons redden

    Michael De Cock / Lannoo
    Over de kracht van kunst
    Fri 26.05.2023 20:00
    Een passioneel verhaal over de kracht van kunst en verbeelding
    KVS, Brussels
    KVS BOL
    26.05.2023
    20:00
    Past event

  • Metamorphoses

    Manuela Infante, Michael De Cock & Diego Noguera / KVS
    Sat 17.07.2021 - Sun 14.05.2023
    Who decides what is human and what is not?
    17.07.2021
    -
    14.05.2023
    Past event
    • 17.07.2021
      22:00
      SANTARCANGELO FESTIVAL 2050, Italië
      Nellospazio
      Past event
    • 18.07.2021
      22:00
      SANTARCANGELO FESTIVAL 2050, Italië
      Nellospazio
      Past event
    • 13.11.2021
      20:30 - 22:10
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 18.11.2021
      20:30 - 22:10
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 19.11.2021
      13:30 - 15:10
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 19.11.2021
      20:30 - 22:10
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 20.11.2021
      20:30 - 22:10
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 23.11.2021
      19:00 - 20:40
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 24.11.2021
      20:30 - 22:10
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 29.11.2021
      19:00
      La Rose des Vents, Villeneuve d'Ascq
      Théâtre de l'Oiseau-Mouche
      Past event
    • 30.11.2021
      20:00
      La Rose des Vents, Villeneuve d'Ascq
      Théâtre de l'Oiseau-Mouche
      Past event
    • 18.01.2022
      20:30
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Principal
      Past event
    • 19.01.2022
      20:30
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Principal
      Past event
    • 11.03.2022
      20:00 - 21:45
      Toneelhuis, Antwerpen
      Bourlaschouwburg
      Past event
    • 12.03.2022
      20:00 - 21:45
      Toneelhuis, Antwerpen
      Bourlaschouwburg
      Past event
    • 08.07.2022
      19:00 - 20:45
      Staatstheater Braunschweig, Braunschweig
      Kleines Haus
      Past event
    • 09.07.2022
      19:00 - 20:45
      Staatstheater Braunschweig, Braunschweig
      Kleines Haus
      Past event
    • 09.11.2022
      20:30 - 22:00
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 10.11.2022
      20:30 - 22:00
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 11.11.2022
      20:30 - 22:00
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 12.11.2022
      20:30 - 22:00
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOX
      Past event
    • 13.05.2023
      20:00
      Teatro Piccolo Arsenale , Venice
      Past event
    • 14.05.2023
      20:00
      Teatro Piccolo Arsenale , Venice
      Teatro Piccolo Arsenale
      Past event

  • Bovary

    Carme Portaceli & Michael De Cock / KVS
    Tue 22.06.2021 - Sun 05.03.2023
    Two years after their Mrs. Dalloway, Catalan director Carme Portaceli and KVS director Michael De Cock are taking on Madame Bovary.
    22.06.2021
    -
    05.03.2023
    Past event
    • 22.06.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      WORLD PREMIERE
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 23.06.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 24.06.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 25.06.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 28.10.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 29.10.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 30.10.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 03.11.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 04.11.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 05.11.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 12.11.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      Cultuurhuis de Warande, Turnhout
      Schouwburg
      Past event
    • 16.11.2021
      20:15 - 21:45
      Cultuurhuis de Warande, Turnhout
      Schouwburg
      Past event
    • 30.11.2021
      20:00 - 21:30
      Toneelhuis, Antwerpen
      Bourlaschouwburg
      Past event
    • 02.12.2021
      20:15 - 21:45
      CC Ieper, Ieper
      Perron theaterzaal
      Past event
    • 17.01.2023
      20:00 - 21:30
      C-mine Cultuurcentrum, Genk
      Grote zaal
      Past event
    • 20.01.2023
      20:00 - 21:30
      CC Sint-Niklaas, Sint-Niklaas
      Stadsschouwburg
      Past event
    • 01.02.2023
      20:30 - 22:00
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Roja
      Past event
    • 02.02.2023
      20:30 - 22:00
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Roja
      Past event
    • 03.02.2023
      20:30 - 22:00
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Roja
      Past event
    • 04.02.2023
      20:30 - 22:00
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Roja
      Past event
    • 05.02.2023
      19:00 - 20:30
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Roja
      Past event
    • 09.02.2023
      21:00 - 22:30
      Comédie de Reims, Reims
      Comédie
      Past event
    • 10.02.2023
      19:00 - 20:30
      Comédie de Reims, Reims
      Comédie
      Past event
    • 14.02.2023
      20:00 - 21:30
      Cultuurhuis de Warande, Turnhout
      Schouwburg
      Past event
    • 18.02.2023
      20:00 - 21:30
      Cultuurhuis de Warande, Turnhout
      Schouwburg
      Past event
    • 19.02.2023
      15:00 - 16:30
      Cultuurhuis de Warande, Turnhout
      Schouwburg
      Past event
    • 27.02.2023
      20:00 - 21:30
      Theater de Veste, Delft
      Rabozaal
      Past event
    • 28.02.2023
      20:00 - 21:30
      Theater de Veste, Delft
      Rabozaal
      Past event
    • 04.03.2023
      19:00 - 20:30
      TNC, Barcelona
      Sala Gran
      Past event
    • 05.03.2023
      18:00 - 19:30
      TNC, Barcelona
      Sala Gran
      Past event

  • MINDBLOWERS 2022: Amor

    VUB & KVS
    Tue 18.10.2022 18:00 - 21:30
    What is mankind without love?
    KVS, Brussels
    KVS BOL
    18.10.2022
    18:00 - 21:30
    Past event

  • MINDBLOWERS 2021: PLACE/SPACE

    VUB & KVS
    Tue 12.10.2021 18:00 - 21:30
    KVS, Brussels
    KVS BOX
    12.10.2021
    18:00 - 21:30
    Past event

  • Librettolezing L'Homme de La Mancha

    KVS
    Sat 29.08.2020 - Tue 03.08.2021
    The songs from the musical as a concert
    29.08.2020
    -
    03.08.2021
    Past event
    • 29.08.2020
      20:00 - 22:30
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 01.08.2021
      20:00
      THEATER AAN ZEE
      Theater aan Zee, Oostende
      College
      Past event
    • 02.08.2021
      20:00
      THEATER AAN ZEE
      Theater aan Zee, Oostende
      College
      Past event
    • 03.08.2021
      20:00
      THEATER AAN ZEE
      Theater aan Zee, Oostende
      College
      Past event

  • L'HOMME DE LA MANCHA

    Dale Wasserman, Mitch Leigh & Joe Darion / Jacques Brel, Michael De Cock & Junior Mthombeni / KVS, De Munt/La Monnaie & Théâtre De Liège
    Tue 18.12.2018 - Sun 06.06.2021
    An ode to Brel, Brussels and imagination
    18.12.2018
    -
    06.06.2021
    Past event
    • 18.12.2018
      20:00
      Théâtre de Liège, Luik
      Salle de la Grande Main
      Past event
    • 19.12.2018
      19:00
      Théâtre de Liège, Luik
      Salle de la Grande Main
      Past event
    • 20.12.2018
      20:00
      Théâtre de Liège, Luik
      Salle de la Grande Main
      Past event
    • 21.12.2018
      20:00
      Théâtre de Liège, Luik
      Salle de la Grande Main
      Past event
    • 22.12.2018
      19:00
      Théâtre de Liège, Luik
      Salle de la Grande Main
      Past event
    • 09.05.2019
      20:00
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Principal
      Past event
    • 10.05.2019
      20:00
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Principal
      Past event
    • 11.05.2019
      20:00
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Principal
      Past event
    • 22.08.2019
      19:00
      Festival Internacional de Artes Escénicas de Uruguay
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Principal
      Past event
    • 23.08.2019
      19:00
      Festival Internacional de Artes Escénicas de Uruguay
      Teatro Español, Madrid
      Sala Principal
      Past event
    • 08.10.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      Le Central, La Louvière
      Le Théâtre
      Past event
    • 09.10.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      Le Central, La Louvière
      Le Théâtre
      Past event
    • 22.10.2019
      20:30 - 22:50
      Aula Magna, Louvain-la-Neuve
      Past event
    • 24.10.2019
      19:30 - 21:50
      Aula Magna, Louvain-la-Neuve
      Past event
    • 25.10.2019
      20:30 - 22:50
      Aula Magna, Louvain-la-Neuve
      Past event
    • 04.12.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 05.12.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 06.12.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 07.12.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 08.12.2019
      15:00 - 17:20
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 10.12.2019
      18:00 - 20:20
      KVS, Brussels
      KVS BOL
      Past event
    • 14.12.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      Toneelhuis, Antwerpen
      Bourlaschouwburg
      Past event
    • 15.12.2019
      15:00 - 17:20
      Toneelhuis, Antwerpen
      Bourlaschouwburg
      Past event
    • 20.12.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande Salle
      Past event
    • 21.12.2019
      20:00 - 22:20
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande Salle
      Past event
    • 11.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 12.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 13.12.2020
      15:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 15.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 16.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 17.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 18.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 19.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 20.12.2020
      15:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 26.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 27.12.2020
      15:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 29.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 30.12.2020
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 31.12.2020
      19:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 02.01.2021
      20:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 03.01.2021
      15:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 29.05.2021
      17:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 30.05.2021
      17:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 05.06.2021
      17:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
    • 06.06.2021
      17:00
      Palais des Beaux-Arts, Charleroi
      Grande salle
      Past event
of 3

Let's change the algorithm

Where do we want to go with this world? With Europe? With this country? How do we organise proper education? What about migration? What do we do about climate change, and how can we make sure everyone…
Column

Michael De Cock on season 2022-23

Oh, how we looked forward to our newly-rewon freedom. The freedom to come together and experience culture again, unfettered and carefree. Here and there, rumours of a new ‘roaring twenties’ abounded –…
Column

Statement Wij werken veilig. Wij werken verder.

De cultuursector beseft al te goed dat om de vierde golf in te dijken maatregelen nodig zijn. We dragen al meer dan 18 maanden bij om constructieve oplossingen te vinden en de veiligheid van ons perso…
Column

Still Standing #4: a call for action

A sad first anniversary: on Friday 13 March 2020 at midnight all cultural institutions, bars and restaurants shut completely for the first time. It was the start of a long onslaught of corona measures…
Column

1 year of cultural lockdown

13 March 2021 marks the one-year anniversary of the lockdown. Hardly a cause for celebration, as the cultural sector has been almost completely shut since that day. Apart from a short period of limite…
Column

Podcast KVS en route: Morgen is een ander land

Michael De Cock wrote the book Morgen is een ander land (Tomorrow is Another Country) in which we follow the story of a girl who flees her country with her mother in a dark cargo box of a truck. The b…
Podcast

Maak van Toneelhuis, NTGent en KVS Kunstinstellingen

Om onze artiesten nog duurzamer te kunnen ondersteunen, willen Toneelhuis, NTGent en KVS een Kunstinstelling worden.
Column

Luister naar Odysseus. Een zwerver komt thuis

Voor het eerst weerklinken alle 12.000 verzen van Homeros’ klassieker in het Nederlands.
Podcast

Knock Knock, Who’s there?

This year again, Poëziecentrum and Vonk & Zonen invited a lover of poetry to make it clear that the genre is alive! After Charlotte Van den Broeck, Alicja Gescinska and Tinneke Beeckman, Michael De Co…
Column

La cultura es segura: opinion Michael De Cock and Carme Portaceli 

Michael De Cock and Carme Portaceli put pen to paper for this joint opinion piece, which was published in De Standaard and Le Soir. They hope theatre companies all over Europe will be able to get back…
Column

From book to play

A copy of Ovid’s Metamorphoses in a Brussels book shop became the starting point for an artistic collaboration between theatre creator Manuela Infante and artistic director of KVS Michael De Cock. Cit…
Interview

KVS BREAKS OUT II

KVS breaks out again: this time in a hospital, a school and a care home - and on our online platform 247.kvs.be.