Twelve rappers, musicians, dancers and actors, from different generations and cultural backgrounds, present themselves to the audience on a catwalk. All depict their struggle with the chaos of everyday life.

Flemish director Junior Mthombeni, who also plays himself, is targeting a youth audience in particular with this vibrant spectacle. He began Burning City from improvisations with the players, and worked this into a feast of a performance. Mthombeni is fascinated by our “reptilian brain,” and how it subconsciously directs our behavior: “What do you do when faced with violence, feeling insecure or totally overwhelmed by social media stimuli? Your survival instinct takes over: hide, fight, flight or freeze.’

In a colorful, energetic and raw sum of music, dance and text, the players show how this works for each of them. And try to break free from their reptilian brains. There is no hierarchy on stage, and because everyone plays, dances and makes music, everything comes together in one theatrical language. Mthombeni: “We try to be limitless in that. The most important thing is that we all have something to say.’