"Write me a woman who fights for what she wants."
The Dark Lady is a witty and sensual duet that reclaims the story of a fascinating woman who was almost lost to history—Emilia Bassano. Through her eyes, this thrilling love story helps us both understand and challenge our love of Shakespeare. Emilia was multiracial and multilingual, and the first Englishwoman to publish her own poetry. And she may also be the answer to a 400-year-old mystery—just who was the “Dark Lady” that Shakespeare spoke of with such passion in his sonnets?
THE MYSTERY
The question of the identity of the Dark Lady is an unsolved, controversial issue because of the insufficiency of historical detail. Some believe that she might be of Mediterranean ancestry, with the dark hair and dark eyes common in Greece, Spain, Italy, and southern France. Other scholars have suggested, given Shakespeare's description of her dark, dun-colored skin and black wiry hair, that the Dark Lady might have been a woman of African ancestry. Ultimately, "none of the many attempts at identifying the dark lady…are finally convincing"
Holland, Peter (23 September 2004). "Shakespeare, William (1564–1616)". ODNB. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/25200. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
MEET THE WRITER
Jessica B. Hill is an actress, playwright and educator.
Originally from Montreal, Canada, Jessica is completely bilingual. She works in both English and French in theatre, voice, games, film and television. 2023 marked Jessica’s debut as a playwright. Her two first plays, Pandora and The Dark Lady had their world premiere productions in 2023.
Both plays have now been published with Scirocco Drama and are available in stores and online (Indigo, Amazon and more major bookstore).
Notes on " The Dark Lady" from Jessica B.
Out of curiosity, I decided to read all of Shakespeare’s sonnets while preparing for rehearsals in 2020. When I reached the so-called “Dark Lady” ones, I felt like I was reading them for the first time. I was struck by how jealous, violent and cruel they were: a side to Shakespeare we never really talk about. How strange to spend that much time and energy writing rhyming hate-poetry! Who hurt you, Bill? What’s her side of the story?
I decided to go on an exoneration quest.
Enter Emilia Bassano, the closest contender for “the Dark Lady.” Emilia’s life story somehow encompasses the breadth of Shakespeare’s work. It is truly remarkable, and the more I learned, the more it gave me goosebumps. But it wasn’t until I read her poetry (because, yes, she wrote too) that the floor caved in underneath me. There was something about her strong and fervent female voice... It was shades of Kate, Beatrice, Rosalind, Juliet, Paulina and Cleopatra, all in one. Her infinite variety.
What if these two great minds did more than just cross paths?
Emilia Bassano was the first Englishwoman to publish her work as a professional poet. Her book of poems is filled with letters of appeal to powerful women. She wanted to create a community of female patrons, supporters and readers, at a time when such a concept didn’t even exist.
I’ve spent the year falling in love with Bassano and what she was desperately trying to accomplish. This play is my attempt to bring her out of the dark, and give her the chance to reclaim her story.