acting | writing | bit o'cooking
reviews and awards
"Out of Sorts", Theatre503, 2019
The Guardian, Arifa Akbar
"Whiteness and "wokeness" are explored, too, through the character of Alice [Emma Denly], who, overbearing and unwittingly offensive as she is, is drawn with compassion. Despite the various hypocrisies and failings of the characters, the drama leaves us moved by each one of them."
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/oct/15/out-of-sorts-review-theatre-503-london
Spy In The Stalls, Addison Waite
"Emma Denly (Alice) is spot on as Zara's well intended but privileged and condescending flatmate."
https://thespyinthestalls.com/2019/10/out-of-sorts/
The Upcoming, Jessica Wall
"... the performances are all powerful, sympathetic and nuanced, doing justice to the acutely observed script and its emotional heft."
https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2019/10/16/out-of-sorts-at-theatre503-theatre-review/
The Reviews Hub, Richard Maguire
"Emma Denly gives Alice, a calmness that comes through privilege, and yet she is real enough for our sympathy."
https://www.thereviewshub.com/out-of-sorts-theatre503-london/
Once A Week Theatre, Edward Lukes
"... Alice, another satisfying part that's developed well by Emma Denly."
https://www.onceaweektheatre.com/out-of-sorts-at-theatre-503/
"A Christmas Carol", RBL Theatre Co., 2018
Explore Reading, Claire Slobodian
"Each of the six characters Emma Denly tackles, from Heidi in HR to Scrooge’s plum-throated nephew Fred, has a full and believable life, largely thanks to her impressive range of accents, vocal ticks and facial contortions."
https://www.explorerdg.com/heritage-culture/a-christmas-carol-from-reading-between-the-lines-review/
"The Rebellious Women of Wimbledon", Attic Theatre Company, 2018
Nominated for an Offie 2018 for Best Female Performance
"The Rivals", Watermill Theatre, 2018
The Stage, Rosemary Waugh
"the tangled aristocratic love story is kept engaging by the excellent performances of the central couple, Lydia Languish (Emma Denly) and Captain Jack Absolute (Ncuti Gatwa). The flirting between the stroppy, capricious pair is convincing and cynicism-dispelling, especially after the interval when Denly ramps up the pouty, disgruntled socialite act.”
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2018/rivals-review-watermill-theatre-newbury/
Spy In The Stalls, David Woodward
"Lydia Languish (recent RADA graduate Emma Denly) [is] far from being a complete air-headed flibbertigibbet, in an interpretation that […] was as much about empowering the women as it was about reducing them to mere figures of fun.”
http://thespyinthestalls.com/2018/03/rivals-watermill-theatre/
Daily Info, Russell Bailey
"The lovers that head up the cast are exceedingly good. Emma Denly's Lydia is a tricky, fascinating prospect, with a keen skill when wielding a raised eyebrow..."
https://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/events/190631/the-rivals?site_pref=mobile
"The Elder Brother", Shakespeare's Globe, 2017
Fringe Review, Simon Jenner
"Happily, Denly's role gradually ramps up dramatic tensions on her own account [...] Her pacing and delivery of neat, intellectually pointed lines is sovereign [...] It's the words that fixate and Denly commands a poise and stillness that receives Charles' admiration when they finally meet with the amazement of one encountering an equal to her ideas [...] Denly and Wicks delight."
http://fringereview.co.uk/review/fringereview-uk/2017/the-elder-brother/
"Sapho and Phao", Shakespeare's Globe, 2017
Fringe Review, Simon Jenner
"Denly can sing too, here taking the noble obverse to her role in Munday's Fidele and Fortunio, and its would-be faithless Victoria. Here she teeters on voicing the words to give herself to Phao ... it's the tenderest moment in the play [...] several airborne performances [including] Denly's frustrated nobility..."
http://fringereview.co.uk/review/fringereview-uk/2017/sappho-and-phao/
"Fedele and Fortunio", Shakespeare's Globe, 2017
Fringe Review, Simon Jenner
"Denly in fact plays Victoria with a gnawing, vixenish restraint, using her license at crucial moments only."
http://fringereview.co.uk/review/fringereview-uk/2017/fedele-and-fortunio/
"The Woman In The Moon", Shakespeare's Globe, 2017
Please Mind The Blog, Debbie
"[Denly] leaves a lasting impression... as [Jupiter's] angry and suspicious wife, Juno."
https://pleasemindtheblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/19/the-woman-in-the-moon/amp/
"The Importance of Being Earnest", Theatr Clwyd, 2017
The Stage, Roger Foss
"superb [...] her corseted body hiding bodily stirrings"
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2017/importance-earnest-review-theatr-clwyd-mold/
British Theatre Guide, Dave Jennings
"Emma Denly manages to find the perfect balance between flirtation and an engaging snobbery as Gwendoline Fairfax."
http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/the-importance-anthony-hopkins-14374
North West End, Sarah Gibson
"Emma Denly (Gwendolen) had a presence on stage that can never be taught to an actor. She was powerful and played the blissful ignorance of Gwendolen perfectly. As a very recent graduate from RADA, this actress is one with a very bright and colourful future and was the perfect casting in this production."
Arts Scene In Wales, Steve Stratford
"Emma Denly gives a striking performance as Gwendolen. She is noticeably more cowed and deferential to her mother Lady Bracknell in Act 1, but as soon as Gwendolen is free of her domineering matriarch’s presence, she steps up to become a mini version of mum, affecting an imperious superiority dented only by the character’s driving desire to get what she wants. Denly is adept at getting across Gwendolen’s elegant society standing as well as delivering Wilde’s comedy gifts perfectly. She’s most definitely a talent to keep an eye on."
http://www.asiw.co.uk/reviews/importance-earnest-theatr-clwyd-mold
Get The Chance Wales, Bethany Mcaulay
"Emma Denly plays Gwendolen with tremendous charm, and is consistently, and humorously, impassioned – making it very much impossible not to feel deeply enamoured of her immaculate characterisation. "
http://getthechance.wales/2017/05/21/review-importance-earnest-theatr-clwyd-bethany-mcaulay/
The Reviews Hub, Clare Boswell
"it is the energy and vibrancy of the four young suitors that really brings this production to life [...] Denly and Robyn are delightful as love rivals Cecily and Gwendolen."
http://www.thereviewshub.com/the-importance-of-being-ernest-theatre-clwyd/
BAFTA Scholarship Programme, 2015
Shortlisted
Wall Trust Scholar, 2014
Leverhulme Trust Scholar, 2014