Auntie Empire

Recommended Age Guide 12+ | Contains adult themes, strong language and audience interaction.

Auntie is a sweet old dear. All she wants is to regale us with tales of dear old Blighty, but her body is falling to bloody bits. Oh dear. Somebody better clean that up…!

Auntie Empire is an outrageous satire on Britain and the grotesque absurdity of her imperialist self-regard. After conquering the screen as a short film co-directed by Niamh McKeown (BBC/Hulu’s Dinosaur) and slaying Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025 and Manipulate 2026, Auntie has gathered us to relive and celebrate our glorious shared past, but unfortunately she also has some tragic, terrible, and most pressing news. And she needs your help.

An absurd and rambunctious solo show blending bouffon, satire and audience interaction, Auntie Empire is a messy, hilarious and timely lampoon of the myths of nationhood.

Creative Team

Lead Artist – Julia Taudevin
Bouffon Director – Tim Licata
Dramaturgs – Sara Sharaawi and Kieran Hurley
Sound Designers – Niroshini Thambar and Nik Paget-Tomlinson
Lighting Designer – Emma Jones
Puppetry, Effects and Costume Designer – Fergus Dunnet
Costume & Puppetry Effects Maker – Gretchen Maynard-Hahn
Set Designer – Fraser Lappin
Photographer and Graphic Designer – Brian Hartley
Trailer Creator – Connor O’Toole
Production Manager – Rosie Ward

Auntie Empire is supported by Creative Scotland, and Summerhall Arts. It was originally developed through a Summerhall Lab, an IASH creative fellowship and Traverse Theatre commission and in association with Jordan & Skinner with direction from Caitlin Skinner and Melanie Jordan and Paisley Arts Centre and One Ren.The character can also be seen in the short film Auntie Empire directed by Niamh McKeown and Julia Taudevin.

Image Credit: Brian Hartley