Empatheatre

Empatheatre creates research-based theatre projects that address socio-political issues and involve affected communities in the creative process. In ISIDLAMLILO, Empatheatre artist and renowned TV actress Mpume Mthombeni leads the audience through South Africa’s history with a solo performance as Zulu grandmother Zezemeli Maseko. Falsely declared dead by the Department of Home Affairs, she finds herself in a Kafkaesque nightmare that forces her to confront her past as a hitwoman for the opposing party to Nelson Mandelas ANC, who were also called fire-eaters. This work is a slow burn based on real life accounts and a turbulent history of violence and revenge, but above all on the defiance of its protagonists. In South Africa, ISIDLAMLILO earned raving reviews and standing ovations. For the first time in Europe, Empatheatre will now amaze the Summer Festival audience.