The Great Indaba

Moira Buffini's new play dramatises the extraordinary 1998 South African meeting that helped move the Good Friday Agreement towards peace. Indhu Rubasingham directs a story bringing Nelson Mandela's National Unity Government together with bitter political rivals from Northern Ireland, exploring diplomacy, courage and the difficult work of finding common ground.he Great Indaba is a new play by Moira Buffini, directed by Indhu Rubasingham and produced by the National Theatre in a co-production with Michael Grandage Company. Set against the diplomatic efforts that helped move the Good Friday Agreement forward in 1998, the play dramatises an extraordinary meeting in South Africa between the new National Unity Government led by Nelson Mandela and the bitter political rivals of Northern Ireland. At its heart is a question with urgent contemporary resonance: how can two warring factions find a path to peace? This inspirational true story explores diplomacy, conflict and the possibility of reconciliation, offering hope that peace can be achieved even in the greatest areas of conflict. The production is announced for autumn 2027. Further artistic team details, casting and performance information are yet to be announced.