The true story of the trial of William Shakespeare’s daughter for adultery is returning to the stage in Kingston.

Peter Whelan’s 1996 play The Herbal Bed is being revived for the first time at the Rose Theatre from April 26 to May 7.

Written by Peter Whelan in 1996, it play focuses on Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna Hall, and is based on true events from 1613.

Stuck in an unhappy marriage to Doctor John Hall, Susanna forms a relationship with the local haberdasher Rafe Smith, who is also stuck in a bad marriage.

Their blossoming relationship is noticed by Mr Hall’s apprentice Jack Lane, who begins to spread rumours accusing Susanna and Rafe of committing adultery, and also questioning her sexual health.  

The play then delves into the topic of truths and lies, as the latter part of the story is based around records from the ecclesiastical court at Worcester Cathedral, which reveals that Susanna took Mr Lane to court for slander.

Two-time Manchester Evening News award winner Emma Lowndes, who plays Susanna in the story, told us: “I hadn’t heard about the story. I knew a couple of Peter’s other plays but I hadn’t read the Herbal Bed. Once I got the part, we did a little bit of research around it, we visited where they lived and read up on Susanna Shakespeare.”

She also revealed why she was so pleased to get the role.

She said: “It’s an amazing part for a woman. It’s great for a female to get such a meaty part that drives through the play.”

“We are fighting all the time to get more representation and more parts and opportunities, so when things do land and they are really brilliant scripts for women, it’s really tempting to want to be part of.”

Speaking about why people should come and see the play, Lowndes said:

“It has nods to Shakespeare, it is romantic, a little bit spicy and it has moments of humour, wrapping up with a quite thrilling court case. It has something for everybody.”

Lowndes has been part of projects across all of the acting disciplines. She has been in television programmes such as Downtown Abbey, Silent Witness and Cranford to name a few, films such as All or Nothing and This Little Life, and also a number of other theatre productions.

She said: “I enjoyed all of them for different reasons. I really loved doing the Seagull, I loved Port when I did it at the Royal Exchange because that was the role for me that really began my career properly.”

She continued: “I really enjoyed filming The Musketeers last year, being on a horse and being like Joan of Ark. I’m glad for everything I’ve done.”

The Herbal Bed is showing at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from April 26 to May 7. Go to rosetheatrekingston.org

Like our What's On page on Facebook for entertainment news, interviews, reviews and features from across south London.