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 premiering at Manipulate 2026, Auntie is coming to Galloway!
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 TaudevinPerformance Director – Tim Licata Dramaturgs – Sara Sharaawi and Kieran HurleySound Designers – Niroshini Thambar and Nik Paget-TomlinsonLighting Designer – Emma JonesPuppetry, Effects and Costume Designer – Fergus DunnetCostume & Puppetry Effects Maker – Gretchen Maynard-HahnSet Designer – Fraser LappinPhotographer and Graphic Designer – Brian HartleyTrailer Creator – Connor O’TooleProduction Manager – Rosie WardProducer – Wezi MhuraAuntie 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.
