ÉMILIE

What, and who is ÉMILIE?

ÉMILIE is a play I have written, composed the music for, and will be directing.

Émilie du Châtelet's translation of Newton’s Principia from Latin into French was published ten years after her death. While it is still the main translation used today, she is either forgotten or recognised as 'the mistress’ of Voltaire, one of France’s most revered philosophers and writers. It’s time to tell the story of this remarkable woman.

Has the play been staged before?

Not yet! The project has been in development for a few years and in 2020 I directed a raw showing the work. With the challenges of Covid, I decided to put the professional staging on hold for the next couple of years and focus on the original soundtrack for ÉMILIE. I was very fortunate to be able to collaborate with two brilliant string musicians, Peau Halapua and Rachel Wells.

Fast forward to today and I am thrilled to have an exceptional team of artists who will be bringing ÉMILIE to life on the professional stage.

Who is now involved?

Our ÉMILIE team:

Peau Halapua – Music Director and Violinist

Nati Pereira – Set, Costume and Props Designer

D. Andrew Potvin – Producer and Lighting Designer

Sarah Spence – Cellist

Beth Alexander – Émilie

Justin Rogers – Voltaire

Bronwyn Ensor – Marie, Lady 1

Clementine Mills – Isabelle, Lady 2

How much money do you need?

$15,000. The project has received sponsorship to cover the venue hire, and an angel donation to cover the marketing costs and the rehearsal space. With projected revenue from ticket sales, I need $15,000 to pay the artists' fees.

How can I see the show?

ÉMILIE premieres at Q Theatre's Loft, 19–23 September! We'd love to see you there. Get your tickets. 🎫

“Judge me for my own merits, or lack of them, but do not look upon me as a mere appendage to [my husband] or that famed author [Voltaire]. I am in my own right a whole person." – Émilie du Châtelet.