The Popess: Instructions for Freedom

This event is part of
In Scena! Italian Theater Festival NY 2025

Theatrical Performance
The Popess:
Instructions for Freedom

Written & Performed by
Elena Mazzon

Directed by
Colin Watkeys

Official Selection 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Italy 13th Century – the Guglielmites heretical sect causes havoc in Milan. Their leader, Guglielma of Bohemia, believed to be the second coming of the Holy Spirit, appoints Sister Maifreda, as her Popess. and together heralds a new female-led era, where only women could save humanity from eternal suffering. It did not take long for the inquisition to find out about the congregation and its beliefs… The Popess is a dark comedy solo-show, which unravels the mystery of a true early feminist movement in the Italian misogynistic religious history, investigating the discrepancies between religion, faith and power and, ultimately, the meaning of freedom.

In English

Running Time: 55 min