What if the man from Stratford-upon-Avon didn’t actually pen those legendary plays and sonnets? Actor and lawyer Rose Loughlin isn’t just asking the question — she’s presenting her case. And she’s doing it with charisma, charm, and a suitcase full of evidence in her one-woman show A Rose by Any Other Name, returning to Barons Court Theatre for five nights only, 9–13 September.
Part courtroom drama, part travelogue, Rose takes audiences on the colourful journey of her real-life investigation into one of literature’s biggest mysteries: Who really wrote Shakespeare? From stumbling across curious clues in Cambridge, to chasing proof through Padua, to finding validations in Venice, Rose’s quest is as entertaining as it is enlightening. Expect juicy historical tidbits, moving monologues, and more than a few delightful surprises along the way.
The spark for this theatrical detective story was struck while Rose was studying classical acting. Hoping to deepen her understanding of Shakespeare, she began reading about his life — and instead found herself drawn into the swirling debate around the “Shakespeare authorship question.” Using her analytical skills from the legal world, she began to dig. And dig. Until all signs seemed to point to one man: Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, an Elizabethan courtier, poet, and playwright who some believe wrote the works under the pen name William Shakespeare.
“I travelled to the places associated with de Vere — where he was born, lived, worked, visited, and died,” says Rose. “Those journeys were filled with magic moments and unexpected delights, providing ripe material for a show that I hope sparks intrigue and wonderment.”
Yes, A Rose by Any Other Name is about Shakespeare… but it’s also about so much more. At its heart, it’s a deeply human story of curiosity, transformation, and the thrill of chasing a mystery. Whether you’re a lifelong Bard enthusiast or someone who’s barely cracked Romeo and Juliet, Rose’s captivating delivery might just change how you see the man — or men — behind the plays.
A Rose by Any Other Name
Written & Performed by Rosemary Loughlin
Directed by Andrew Deering
Dates
9 to 13 September 2025
7:30pm
Venue
Barons Court Theatre,
Below the Curtain’s Up Pub,
28a Comeragh Road,
London W14 9HR
Ticket Price
£12.00 Full Price
£10.00 Concession (Student/Over 60s/Jobseekers/NHS Staff
Box Office
https://www.baronscourttheatre.com/rosebyanyothername
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