by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

director: Ali Crawley

Emilia is an all-female cast drama inspired by the life of 17th century poet and feminist Emilia Bassano.

This multi-award winning drama reimagines the life of Emilia: a poet, musician and the woman many believe inspired the 'Dark Lady' in Shakespeare’s sonnets. Told through three Emilias at different ages, the play traces her journey from gifted young artist to silenced mistress, and finally to a defiant writer claiming her voice. As she navigates court politics, male power, and the theft of women’s ideas, Emilia challenges the structures that exclude her from authorship and recognition. Blending historical fiction with contemporary energy, the play exposes how women’s creativity has been erased, while celebrating resilience, solidarity, and the fight to be heard across centuries and cultures.