Reviews: Edinburgh Fringe 2023

'Schaefer weaves period detail into the play, but subtly; we never feel stuck in a history lesson. An unwed mother is left to labour in agony, because the midwives believe this is the way to force her to reveal the name of the baby’s father. A fortune is left to a daughter’s husband; the women in the family get nothing except his promise to look after them. Judith is powerless to change the rules.'

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'It is a quality script and deserves great casting. The lighting by Charlie Morgan Jones is excellent, and the clever set it has been furnished with works on any stage. Madddy Mutch Productions has picked a winner here. '

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'Writing about a great writer is difficult because it inevitable draws comparisons to their work, but Upstart! Shakespeare’s Rebel Daughter Judith is a play worthy of the great man. Gripping and impeccably acted, Upstart is a fascinating look at the woman whose legacy was already sealed as ‘Shakespeare’s daughter’.

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'A special mention must go to Becky Sanneh who plays Emilia Lanyer and Susanna Shakespeare. Appearing comfortable in two very different roles, she has a good stage presence and she's definitely a talent to watch out for in the future.'

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'Alexandra Spencer-Jones directs this exquisite production with skill, splitting the stage in two with Old Judith (Susannah May) recounting her life story on the right of the stage and her memories appearing before us on the left.'

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