Whose Aemilia

Whose Aemilia, directed by Diana Fajrajsl, written and interpreted by Rachel Eugster with Tim Oberholzer and Naomi Tessler.

Aemilia, the Dark Lady of Shakespeare’s sonnets, has been judged by the historians for almost half a millennium after her death. As Ms. History tells her, she is mainly remembered for her looks, love life and bad reputation. Aemilia is outraged. She was a poet, and a good one! Interestingly enough, only female historians pay attention to her writings, while, for their male colleagues, she is just a pretty woman with questionable behavior. 

Although an interesting concept, the play still leaves a few elements missing. The topic  which imposes a feminist approach is intriguing, but it  lacks depth and passion of any real conflict with the bard (arguably the greatest writer  in history, and, as a male, recognized as such). Thus  his appearance  (interpreted by Tim Oberholzer) seems out of place and unclear. The whole show has a  scholarly character and feels more like a recital than a theatre performance.

From time to time, Rachel Eugster as Aemilia is natural, convincing and even funny, but she lacks consistency. Tim Oberholzer as Shakespeare does not have the strength of someone able to  confront Aemilia and  spark her passion for the equality and appreciation that she defends. Naomi Tessler plays her part (as History) correctly, in a  neutral, narrative manner.

While the idea is interesting, the play still needs some rethinking and polishing in order to spark the audience’s imagination.

Aemelia plays in the ODD Box  in Arts Court.

Saturday, June 20………..7:30:00 PM
Monday, June 22………..10:00:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24…….7:00:00 PM
Saturday, June 27………..3:00:00 PM
Sunday, June 28………….6:00:00 PM

Spidersilk Production:
Whose Aemilia
by Rachel Eugster
Director: Diana Fajrajsl
Cast: Rachel Eugster, Tim Oberholzer, Naomi Tessler