NT Live: Inter Alia

This is an arresting and thought-provoking solo performance that defies theatrical conventions while drawing its audience into an intimate, intellectually rich exploration of identity, language, and existence. Written and performed by Alexander Zeldin, the piece merges memoir, philosophy, and poetic reflection into a quietly powerful meditation on the nature of self and the spaces between us.

The stage is bare, yet resonant with presence. Zeldin, known for his deeply humanistic theatre, steps into a stripped-back performance space—not to play a character, but to reveal something personal and universal. Speaking directly to the audience with gentle candour, he weaves together fragments of memory, ancestral history, and philosophical inquiry. Through subtle gestures and silences, he explores the intricacies of belonging, familial bonds, and the ungraspable moments that shape who we are.

Inter alia—Latin for “among other things”—lives up to its name. It refuses to be confined to a single narrative thread or thematic focus. Instead, it offers a mosaic of thoughts and stories, letting viewers find their own connections and interpretations. It’s a performance that thrives in the liminal space between theatre and essay, between presence and absence.

Though the production is minimalist in form, it’s rich in emotion and intellectual engagement. The use of light, shadow, and sound is sparse but deliberate, heightening the intimacy of the experience. This isn’t a performance that seeks to entertain in a traditional sense, but one that invites reflection and stillness, rewarding the attentive viewer with moments of quiet revelation.

Ultimately, Inter alia is a deeply personal offering from a theatre-maker reflecting on how lives intersect across time, culture, and memory. It is less about delivering answers and more about asking the right questions—with humility and honesty. Whether you leave pondering your own origins or simply moved by the vulnerability of the performer, this is theatre that lingers long after the lights dim.