CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Harriet Walter & Friends: Shakespeare’s Women Speak!

Live on stage with special guests, Dame Harriet Walter, one of Britain's most esteemed Shakespearean actors, will perform pieces from her new book, She Speaks!

Harriet Walter & Friends: Shakespeare’s Women Speak!

About Harriet Walter & Friends: Shakespeare’s Women Speak!

Renowned for her extraordinary portrayals in Succession, Killing Eve and Ted Lasso, Dame Harriet Walter is also one of Britain's most esteemed Shakespearean actors. Now, having had the experience of playing so many of Shakespeare's roles, she re-imagines what some of his women might have been secretly thinking and lets them speak their minds.

With new speeches for thirty Shakespearean women, written in verse, sonnets and prose, her book goes between the lines of the plays as Gertrude lets Hamlet have the unvarnished truth; Lady MacBeth reveals how she would have been a savvy King; Kate, the Shrew does an about turn; Ophelia surprises us; Olivia surprises herself and the witches have a good old rap.

Says Harriet Walter: “I worship Shakespeare and feel very irreverent, shamelessly piggy- backing on his giant shoulders. His psychological insight is second to none…but the mirror that he held up to Nature reflected a predominantly male image of the world. I pondered the long shadow of his genius and tried to think of ways to let a little sunlight in on some of his women’s stories. I like to think he wouldn’t mind.”

Enjoy Shakespeare’s women as they demand centre stage and take the opportunity to ask the legendary Dame Harriet and her friends your own questions.

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
Fayre Play
ChangeWorks
Escape The Past
Escape The Past

Other Events at Assembly Rooms

Endless Love

29th June 2025

Endless Love is the ultimate feel good night out and it celebrates the two legendary artistes Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. Catch it at the Assembly Rooms in June!

READ MORE

Queen by Candlelight

4th July 2025

Queen By Candlelight returns to The Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh on Friday 4th July 2025!

READ MORE

The Music Of Taylor Swift By Candlelight

5th July 2025

Swifties, get ready to Shake It Off! The Music of Taylor Swift by Candlelight is here, and it’s pure Magic!

READ MORE

Edinburgh’s Craft & Flea Market

6th July 2025

Come along to Craft & Flea, a collection of independent makers, collectors, designers and creatives all under one roof at the Assembly Rooms on Sunday 6th July.

READ MORE

Reverend Richard Coles: Borderline National Trinket

7th July 2025

After phenomenal demand for the first dates last year, Reverend Richard Coles returns for a new leg of his first ever full national tour! Don't miss him at The Assembly Rooms in July!

READ MORE

William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

8th July 2025

Don't miss this chance to hear William Dalrymple tell the story of how India became the great intellectual and philosophical superpower of ancient Asia.

READ MORE

The Elvis Revolution

12th July 2025

Multi Award Winning Elvis Tribute Artists Louis Brown and Arron Walker bring you all the electrifying magic of the revolution that was, Mr Elvis Presley!

READ MORE

Goose’s Quizzes Elimination Game

31st July 2025 - 24th August 2025

Gooses Quizzes, Edinburgh’s premier quiz company, has announced the return of its popular show, The Elimination Game, to the Edinburgh Fringe 2025.

READ MORE

Couplet Presents Honey Honey Moon Moon

31st July 2025 - 24th August 2025

Marnina and Micah just got married, and except for some bed bugs, a judgy couples therapist and their wedding venue burning down, everything was pitch perfect.

READ MORE

Chunky Jewellery

1st August 2025 - 24th August 2025

Using words, dance and song these two uncompromising performers offer us an alternative love story... don't miss Chunky Jewellery at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!

READ MORE

An Evening with Ocean Vuong - The Emperor of Gladness

8th September 2025

The Portobello Bookshop team are hosting an event with Ocean Vuong at the Assembly Rooms on Monday 8th September, for an evening of conversation about his second novel.

READ MORE

Martin Kemp - Back To The 80s

20th September 2025

Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp swaps the bass for the decks for a night of 80s hits and classics at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday 20th September!

READ MORE

Natalie Haynes: No Friend To This House

21st September 2025

Join Natalie Haynes, star of Radio 4's Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics, at the Assembly Rooms on 21st September!

READ MORE

Céline Dion By Candlelight

27th September 2025

Céline Dion by Candlelight comes to Assembly Rooms on Saturday 27th September, jam packed with your favourite hits and guaranteed to Love You Back To Life!

READ MORE

The Mersey Beatles

28th September 2025

The Mersey Beatles – the world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to the Fab Four come to the Assembly Rooms on Sunday 28th September!

READ MORE

Uptown Girl - The Billy Joel Collection

2nd October 2025

This stunning new stage production celebrates the legacy of Billy Joel, one of the greatest American musicians of all time!

READ MORE

The Beast UK - 86-87 ‘Somewhere on Tour’ Experience

3rd October 2025

The Beast UK have taken the Iron Maiden Tribute scene by storm and they play the Assembly Rooms on Friday 3rd October!

READ MORE

Nigel Planer – Young Once LIVE

7th October 2025

Nigel Planer, beloved as Neil the hippy from The Young Ones and a founding figure of the 80s alternative comedy scene, brings his memoir Young Once to life to the Assembly Rooms on 7th October!

READ MORE

Gin & Rum Festival

11th October 2025

The UK’s largest touring Gin & Rum Festival returns to Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms on 11th October 2025!

READ MORE

An Evening with Ben Elton

13th October 2025

The Portobello Bookshop present An Evening with Ben Elton at Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms on Monday 13th October.

READ MORE

The Johnny Cash Roadshow

15th October 2025

The Johnny Cash Roadshow, the only show to be endorsed by the Cash Family, is coming to the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday 15th October!

READ MORE

Dino Tales- Jurassic Rescue

17th October 2025

Put on your safari hats and get ready for some ranger danger and roarsome routines when Dino Tales- Jurassic Rescue comes to the Assembly Rooms on 17th October!

READ MORE

An Evening with Mary Beard

18th October 2025

Step into the world of Ancient Rome with renowned historian Mary Beard as she uncovers the stories that history forgot.

READ MORE

The Bon Jovi Experience

23rd October 2025

Following on from the 30th Anniversary Tour in 2024, which saw their meteoric rise and selling out theatres, The Bon Jovi Experience is back for 2025!

READ MORE

Adam Frost

26th October 2025

Award-winning British garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost, is leaving the garden and heading back out on tour, with a date at Assembly Rooms!

READ MORE

Walk Like A Man

31st October 2025

Coming to the Assembly Rooms on Friday 31st October, Walk Like A Man is the ultimate celebration of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, recreating the iconic powerful falsetto with perfection!

READ MORE

Frankie Mack

1st November 2025

Frankie Mack, From Leith to Las Vegas, is taking the UK by storm, catch his set at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday 1st November for a mix of Swing, Rock'n'Roll and Country!

READ MORE

An Evening with Heart Of Midlothian Legends

2nd November 2025

An Evening with Heart of Midlothian legends comes to the Assembly halls in Edinburgh starring legends: John Robertson, Gary Locke, Ryan Stevenson and hosted by Iain Ferguson.

READ MORE

Ultimate 70’s Show

7th November 2025

It was the decade that fashion forgot – but dig out your tank tops, polish your platforms, the Seventies are back in town on 7th November at the Assembly Rooms!

READ MORE

Thank You For The Music

8th November 2025

Smash-hit tribute show, Thank You For The Music, brings all of ABBA's No. 1 hits to the Assembly Rooms in a production like no other!

READ MORE

David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time

22nd November 2025

Join David Olusoga at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday 22nd November as he uncovers the story of three firearms that changed the world and the lives of our ancestors!

READ MORE

Hello Again - Neil Diamond Songbook

24th November 2025

Join us at the Assembly Rooms for the world’s greatest celebration of the life and work of one of the best-selling singer-songwriters of all-time, Neil Diamond!

READ MORE

The Crooners Christmas

29th November 2025

Superbly original, hilariously festive, and bursting with seasonal cheer, The Crooners Christmas Special is the ultimate Christmas comedy music show to get you in the festive mood!

READ MORE

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

1st December 2025

After a sold out Worldwide tour and standing ovations at every performance, 'The Simon & Garfunkel Story' comes to the Assembly Rooms on Monday 1st December!

READ MORE

Taylor Swift ERAS Tribute Concert

13th December 2025

Katy Ellis a self Confessed ‘Swiftie’ with an incredible live band and dancers promises to deliver the most authentic recreation of a Taylor Swift show you will ever see!

READ MORE

John Barrowman: Camp As Christmas

14th December 2025

This Christmas, join John Barrowman at the Assembly Rooms for Camp As Christmas... a brand-new show bursting with festive favourites showstopping tunes and plenty of glitz!

READ MORE

Step Into Christmas

17th December 2025

This Christmas feel-good show brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite songs you will know and love!

READ MORE

Sky Full of Stars

6th February 2026

Get ready for an electrifying night of music and fun at Sky Full of Stars, the ultimate tribute to Coldplay, at Assembly Rooms on Friday 6th February!

READ MORE

Scottish Chamber Orchestra: The Great Grumpy Gaboon

7th February 2026

Join the Grumpy Gaboon and friends on this brand-new musical adventure as together they discover the importance of friendship and forgiveness!

READ MORE

Punk Off - The Sounds of Punk & New Wave

15th February 2026

50 years since punk and new wave kicked the door in, Punk Off storms the stage—louder, bolder, and messier than ever.

READ MORE

Gordon Buchanan - Lions and Tigers and Bears

1st March 2026

Award winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan will hit the road again in 2026, with his live tour - Lions and Tigers and Bears. Join him at Assembly Rooms on Sunday 1st March!

READ MORE

Live Forever

7th March 2026

Introducing 'Live Forever’ – a celebration of music from, and a tribute to, the greatest rock ’n’ roll band Britain has ever seen… Oasis!

READ MORE

Beautiful Crazy - The Luke Combs Collection

28th March 2026

Brand NEW for 2026 and coming to the Assembly Rooms Edinburgh, Beautiful Crazy is an exciting and authentic theatrical celebration of one of the biggest country stars on the planet... Luke Combs!

READ MORE

Go Your Own Way

3rd April 2026

Go Your Own Way is a brand new spellbinding show featuring the music from the legendary multiple Grammy Award Winning Fleetwood Mac, don't miss it at the Assembly Rooms in April 2026!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
MNB
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Similar events you might like...

Palace Page Turners

Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!

READ MORE
A Tea Party with Anna James

A Tea Party with Anna James

29th June 2025

Join bestselling author, Anna James on Sunday 29th June at 2pm, as we celebrate the publication of her enchanting reimagining of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice With a Why.

READ MORE
An Evening with V.E. Schwab

An Evening with V.E. Schwab

30th June 2025

Join The Portobello Bookshop in welcoming V.E. Schwab to the Traverse Theatre to celebrate the launch of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.

READ MORE
An Evening with Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto

An Evening with Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto

3rd July 2025

Waterstones Edinburgh West End is delighted to be joined by Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto on Thursday 3rd July, as they talk about their sensationally spellbinding works.

READ MORE
An evening with Noraly Schoenmaker

An evening with Noraly Schoenmaker

8th July 2025

Join Noraly Schoenmaker on Tuesday 8th July at Waterstones Edinburgh West End, as she talks about her truly inspiring story, Free Ride!

READ MORE
William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

8th July 2025

Don't miss this chance to hear William Dalrymple tell the story of how India became the great intellectual and philosophical superpower of ancient Asia.

READ MORE
An Evening with Andrew Raymond

An Evening with Andrew Raymond

17th July 2025

Join Andrew Raymond at Waterstones Edinburgh West End on Thursday 17th July as he chats about his explosive Scottish crime thriller The Bonnie Dead!

READ MORE
Fringe by the Sea

Fringe by the Sea

1st August 2025 - 10th August 2025

Fringe by the Sea, a 10-day multi arts festival in North Berwick, is back for 2025 from 1st-10th August.

READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival

Edinburgh International Book Festival

9th August 2025 - 24th August 2025

The 2025 Edinburgh International Book Festival returns from Saturday 9th to Sunday 24th August with the Theme 'Repair'.

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
Fayre Play
ChangeWorks
Escape The Past
Escape The Past
Renfrewshire Council
MNB
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Dinosaur Adventure Live: The Big Jurassic Storm
Calling all dino fans... join an interactive adventure to save Volcano Island from a jurassic storm and meet incredible life-like dinosaurs when Dinosaur Adventure Live comes to Reconnect Howden Park!
Summer Market at Lind & Lime Gin Distillery
Support The Makers will be popping up once again at the beautiful Lind and Lime for the summer edition of our joyful Makers Market on Saturday 28th June!
An Evening with Carlo Rovelli
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics with an evening of science, art and music on Tuesday 23rd September at McEwan Hall!
Brian Cox - It’s All About Me!
In his first ever one man show, It’s All About Me!, Brian Cox takes us from the backstreets of Dundee to starring in Hollywood blockbusters, a journey full of laughter and pathos!
Adult and Child Crochet Workshop
This workshop at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall is a great way for kids to get started with a creative and mindful hobby, crocheting!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall