This summer, we’re delighted to welcome back Emma Claire Brightlyn and Esme Bayley to the Bard in the Botanics company.

Emma Claire most recently played the fierce Lady Bolingbroke in 2015’s Richard II (pictured) so she’s ideally suited to our “these headstrong women” season. This year she’ll be playing the cynical Apemantus in Timon of Athens and Goneril in Queen Lear, as well as being responsible for all our fights this summer (onstage, obviously!).

Esme made her Bard in the Botanics debut last summer as one of our MA CCT acting placements, playing the role of Antonia in Twelfth Night. We’re delighted to have her back amongst the professional company this year playing Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew? and another cross-gendered role – Claudia in Measure for Measure.