Silvia Mercuriali: Pioneering Theatre Maker and Creator of Autoteatro

Silvia Mercuriali is an innovative theatre maker and artist based in London who has been at the forefront of experimental performance since 1998. Originally from Milan, she is best known for pioneering the Autoteatro technique, a unique strategy that places the audience at the heart of the performance through guided instructions. This immersive approach removes the traditional fourth wall, allowing participants to become both the actors and the observers of the piece. Mercuriali co-founded the theatre company Rotozaza, through which she developed seminal works like Etiquette, a piece for two people in a public space. Her extensive portfolio includes site-specific and tech-integrated projects such as Wondermart, an audio tour of a supermarket, and Swimming Home, an immersive experience set in swimming pools and private homes. These works utilize Binaural sound, film, and site-responsive elements to create intimate, surreal environments. Her projects have been presented at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including the Barbican, Battersea Arts Centre, and the Roundhouse. Through her work, Silvia Mercuriali continues to explore the boundaries between reality and fiction, questioning the role of the spectator in contemporary theatre and live art.