Emilia
Emilia
“A GLORIOUS BLAZE OF PASSION AND FURY… RICHLY FUNNY” (The Times).
1609. I AM EMILIA.
WRITER. WIFE. LOVER. MOTHER. MUSE.
400 years ago Emilia Bassano wanted her voice to be heard. It wasn’t. Could she have been the “Dark Lady” of Shakespeare’s sonnets? What of her own poems? Why was her story erased from history?
Emilia and her sisters reach out to us across the centuries with passion, fury, laughter and song. Listen to them. Let them inspire and unite us.
Celebrate women’s voices through the story of this trailblazing, forgotten woman.
Stand up and be counted.
2019. WE ARE EMILIA.
Shakespeare’s Globe’s “EXTRAORDINARILY ROUSING NEW PLAY” (The Independent) which met with “WHOOPS, CHEERS, BELLY LAUGHS, A STANDING OVATION” (Time Out), now explodes at the Vaudeville theatre. An all-female cast playing both hers and hims rouses “AUDIENCES INTO A PITCH OF FERVOUR”( The Guardian) in a “MAGNIFICENT PRODUCTION” (The Stage) filled with “WIT, FIERCE INTELLIGENCE AND HEADY INTENSITY” (The Times).
- Good To Know
The appearance of any member of cast is subject to change and may be affected by contracts, holiday, illness, or events beyond the producers' control. If in doubt please check with the Box Office before booking
Additional Details & FAQ
- Access Information
For Accessibility information please contact 0330 333 4815
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges after booking.
- Where Do I Go
Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand, London WC2R 0NH
Public Transportation
Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo lines) Embankment (District, Circle lines)
Bus Routes
1, 4 , 6, 9, 11, 13 , 15, 68, 76, 171, 176, 188
Reviews
Sameera steward
May 29, 2019
An incredibly powerful and important piece of theatre. Everyone should watch it!
Mike Snaith
May 27, 2019
This play was originally done at the Globe, a circular open-air theatre with a surrounding audience. So it was structured to draw in the audience and encourage reaction. It managed to do the same in this traditional proscenium arch auditorium. Though sometimes a little simplistic it contained some powerful reflections on the position of women at the time of Emilia and their difficulty in being accepted as writers or any kind of artist. These aroused strong reactions from the audience, echoing or adding to points made, plus spontaneous cheering. The audience was mostly young, in their teens and twenties, and a majority were female, not necessarily the usual audience for West End theatre. But they were moved and enthused by this tale of growing woman power, with quotes such as "god, I've never seen anything like this before;" "thankyou for bringing me to this" and "I'm going home to google the real Emilia". And Emilia's final speech, talking about turning the book-burning (and women-burning) fire back on the men who would oppress and silence women had the audience on their feet, fists in the air and cheering the house down. A final nice twist - that of reversing the Shakespearian tradition, so excellent cast were female, including those playing men playing women in Shakespeare's Globe. Deserves a longer run. Try the Edinburgh Fringe where audiences will appreciate the staging and the play's message.
Krista
May 26, 2019
This is a nugget of truth in time, placed for us all to consume. See these extraordinary artists. Buy the text. Look at it frequently. Use it like a ready reckoner, as if you are accounting for times passed, hopes for the future & your life now. Your life will be better for this if you want it to be. Much love. Krista.
Steffi W
May 14, 2019
I loved the show from start to almost finish. Cast, set, costumes, script--all were just wonderful. My only negative was that the final monologue was too pejorative--I understand the point but I would have liked to hear HOW to turn the anger into something positive rather than "just stay angry all the time." Would have been a more upbeat ending. But I did LOVE the show.
Pam
May 12, 2019
Emilia was such a Moving play....the cast was so very good & I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend Emelia. Also, It would be worth seeing again. I did end up buying the script that for sale at the Globe!
Beth
May 10, 2019
A must see. A clever and emotive show that leaves you thinking about shape of society.
Elizabeth Erredge
May 5, 2019
What a fabulous show! Actors were phenomenal and diverse across many intersections! Heard about this show from The Guilty Feminist Podcast interview with the women who produced/directed and performed in the show. It proved to be worth my trip from America to see it! Thank you for telling Emilia’s story and the ending was a call to action— which is the best!
Sally james
May 1, 2019
Terrific ensemble playing from female cast of 17...so refreshing( (about time!) See it before it closes ..inspiring,funny ,femenist....
A killen
Apr 28, 2019
Absolutely brilliant great cast interesting concept really enjoyed it The standing ovation was well deserved -
Lulu
Apr 17, 2019
Everyone should go to see this theatre production. The cast was insane and the message is so powerful. It will change everyone for the better.
SJ
Apr 13, 2019
I don't have words to describe how great this shows is, at least not ones that would make it justice. The stage, the actors, the text, everything was just perfect - I really wanted to jump in and be part of it myself too! However you identify, I recommend you go see this show!
Nicky
Apr 10, 2019
Fantastic, thought-provoking theatre.
MaggieT
Apr 9, 2019
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Emilia, but found it excellent. The performance has a very important story to tell of the life and works of Emilia Bassano, a contemporary of William Shakespeare, and the lives of women in Elizabethan times. It does so with the help of 3 Emelias, the oldest one being the narrator. It brings a mixture of tragedy, comedy, song and dance, and some hysterically funny audience participation. Highly recommended.
Jaz Hutchins
Apr 4, 2019
Powerful!
Susie
Apr 2, 2019
Astonishingly good. Such a clever production. Powerful messages delivered with humour, style and strong characterisation by a diverse, talented cast.
S
Mar 28, 2019
Definitely recommend this show. It’s funny, meaningful and unapologetic. If you’re after a subtle play this might not be for you, but if laughs, tears and leaving with fire in your belly is, then don’t miss this show.
Lindsey
Mar 9, 2019
This play is moving, nuanced, and superbly entertaining. I will not forget it and will probably go again!