Romeo & Her Sister

Gather by the Ghost Light

A historical audio drama limited series based on the life of Charlotte Cushman produced by Gather by the Ghost Light. In 1845, Charlotte Cushman is the most famous American actress in the world, well-known for playing men's roles in the plays of Shakespeare. Despite her international fame, she harbors a secret, hidden in plain sight: she loves women. Celebrated in her own country, she has brought her sister Susan to London to play Juliet to her Romeo. Old resentments between the sisters surface as Charlotte struggles to balance her exploding career, her tumultuous relationship with writer Matilda Hays, and her affair with another young woman, all while keeping her personal life hidden from her fans, her sister, and her bitter rival, Edwin Forrest. Written by Jillian Blevins. Starring Anna Demetriou, Charlotte McBurney, Paris S. Pringle, Kezia Burrows, Jonathan Cook, Devora Wilde, & Neil Hellegers. Directed and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook.

  1. Ep. 1 - CUSHMANIA

    EPISODE 1

    Ep. 1 - CUSHMANIA

    ROMEO & HER SISTER is a Gather by the Ghost Light Audio production. In 1845, Charlotte Cushman is the most famous American actress in the world, well-known for playing men's roles in the plays of Shakespeare. Despite her international fame, she harbors a secret, hidden in plain sight: she loves women. Celebrated in her own country, she has brought her sister Susan to London to play Juliet to her Romeo. Old resentments between the sisters surface as Charlotte struggles to balance her exploding career, her tumultuous relationship with writer Matilda Hays, and her affair with another young woman, all while keeping her personal life hidden from her fans, her sister, and her bitter rival, Edwin Forrest., who has been spreading rumors about her in London. Written by Jillian Blevins Directed by Jonathan Cook Produced by Jonathan Cook & Devon McSherry Starring Anna Demetriou (Charlotte Cushman); Charlotte McBurney (Susan Cushman); Paris Pringle (Sallie Mercer); Devora Wilde (Eleanora); Kezia Burrows (Matilda Hays); and Neil Hellegers (Benjamin Webster). Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook Music by SPEARFISHER, Angelika Conrad, Ardie Son, Tamsin Dearnley, & Roie Shpigler. Cover Art by A.C. Daniel with design by Jonathan Cook Please visit gatherbytheghostlight.com to hear more audio dramas like this one. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  2. Ep. 2 - THE BALCONY

    EPISODE 2

    Ep. 2 - THE BALCONY

    Ep. 2 - THE BALCONY Susan and Sallie convince Charlotte to try the balcony scene more naturally without the familiar acting gestures as they are interrupted by two of Charlotte's secret lovers - Matilda and Eleanora. Meanwhile, Webster discovers a scandalous news story in the press that puts the show at risk. Written by Jillian Blevins Directed by Jonathan Cook Produced by Jonathan Cook & Devon McSherry Starring Anna Demetriou (Charlotte Cushman); Charlotte McBurney (Susan Cushman); Paris Pringle (Sallie Mercer); Devora Wilde (Eleanora); Kezia Burrows (Matilda Hays); Neil Hellegers (Benjamin Webster); and Jonathan Cook (Edwin Forrest). Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook Music by SPEARFISHER, Michael Vignola, Ardie Son, The Original Orchestra, & Roie Shpigler. Cover Art by A.C. Daniel with design by Jonathan Cook Please visit ⁠gatherbytheghostlight.com⁠ to hear more audio dramas like this one. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 min
  3. Ep. 3 - VILLAINS AND VIPERS

    EPISODE 3

    Ep. 3 - VILLAINS AND VIPERS

    Ep. 3 - VILLAINS AND VIPERS Charlotte and Sallie confront Edwin Forrest to make a threat disguised as a peace offering. In a twist of fate, Matilda, having suffered Charlotte's betrayal, then provides Edwin Forrest with love letters that prove Charlotte loves women - a scandal that risks shutting down their show. Sallie and Susan share a moment in rehearsal that reveals how Sallie and Charlotte met. Written by Jillian Blevins Directed by Jonathan Cook Produced by Jonathan Cook & Devon McSherry Starring Anna Demetriou (Charlotte Cushman); Charlotte McBurney (Susan Cushman); Paris Pringle (Sallie Mercer); Devora Wilde (Eleanora); Kezia Burrows (Matilda Hays); Neil Hellegers (Benjamin Webster); and Jonathan Cook (Edwin Forrest). Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook Music by SPEARFISHER, Steven Beddall, Romeo, & Roie Shpigler. Cover Art by A.C. Daniel with design by Jonathan Cook Please visit ⁠⁠⁠gatherbytheghostlight.com⁠⁠⁠ to hear more audio dramas like this one. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  4. Ep. 4 - OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE

    EPISODE 4

    Ep. 4 - OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE

    Ep. 4 - OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE The stagehands are instructed to strike the set as Romeo and Juliet has been canceled by the Haymaker Theatre. Mr. Webster reminisces about his time as an actor while Charlotte pleads with him not to cancel the performance. Charlotte admits the truth to her sister Susan and they have a falling out as the tension rises. Edwin Forrest betrays Matilda Hays and doesn't hold up his end of the deal even though she delivered the gossip item as promised and Susan has decided to remount Romeo and Juliet with Edwin instead of her sister. Written by Jillian Blevins Directed by Jonathan Cook Produced by Jonathan Cook & Devon McSherry Starring Anna Demetriou (Charlotte Cushman); Charlotte McBurney (Susan Cushman); Paris Pringle (Sallie Mercer); Devora Wilde (Eleanora); Kezia Burrows (Matilda Hays); Neil Hellegers (Benjamin Webster); and Jonathan Cook (Edwin Forrest). Featuring Evan Sowinski (Stagehand 1); Carlee McClary (Stagehand 2); and Bart Bethelemy (Theatre Manager). Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook Music by SPEARFISHER & Roie Shpigler. Cover Art by A.C. Daniel with design by Jonathan Cook Please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠gatherbytheghostlight.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to hear more audio dramas like this one. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
  5. Ep. 5 - ET TU?

    EPISODE 5

    Ep. 5 - ET TU?

    Ep. 5 - ET TU? Charlotte and Sallie have packed up their things and will soon be boarding a train out of town. Eleanora stops by with news that she's engaged to be married to a man named Mr. Hunt while also revealing that Susan is planning to remount Romeo & Juliet with Edwin Forrest. Susan and Edwin get cozy in his dressing room as his plan unfolds to have Matilda's letters published in the press to end Charlotte's career once and for all. Written by Jillian Blevins Directed by Jonathan Cook Produced by Jonathan Cook & Devon McSherry Starring Anna Demetriou (Charlotte Cushman); Charlotte McBurney (Susan Cushman); Paris Pringle (Sallie Mercer); Devora Wilde (Eleanora); Kezia Burrows (Matilda Hays); Neil Hellegers (Benjamin Webster); and Jonathan Cook (Edwin Forrest). Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook Music by Angelika Conrad, Michael Vignola, & Roie Shpigler. Cover Art by A.C. Daniel with design by Jonathan Cook Please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gatherbytheghostlight.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to hear more audio dramas like this one. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min
  6. Ep. 6 - INTERLUDE

    EPISODE 6

    Ep. 6 - INTERLUDE

    Ep. 6 - INTERLUDE: REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PAST Sixteen years earlier, Charlotte and Susan are children at a pivotal moment in their lives. Their father recently abandoned them and their mother recently opened up a boarding house where they live. Charlotte is influenced by the idea of individualism from the new local Reverend while also taking voice lessons encouraged by her Grandmother. Written by Jillian Blevins Directed by Jonathan Cook with Devon McSherry Produced by Jonathan Cook & Devon McSherry Starring Lily Romagnoli (Charlotte Cushman); Ellie McKerley (Susan Cushman); Debbie Fryer (Granny Babbitt); Devon McSherry (Mother); and John Pereira IV (Reverend Emerson). Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook Music by Tamsin Dearnley, Shuhei Hosaka, Kashido, & Harlan Guthrie Cover Art by A.C. Daniel with design by Jonathan Cook Please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gatherbytheghostlight.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to hear more audio dramas like this one. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
  7. Ep. 7 - CURTAIN CALL FOR BROKEN DOLLS

    EPISODE 7

    Ep. 7 - CURTAIN CALL FOR BROKEN DOLLS

    Ep. 7 - CURTAIN CALL FOR BROKEN DOLLS Season finale - Charlotte and crew discover that Susan's rendezvous with Edwin was all just a trick as she steals the scandalous letters allowing them to remount the show. Written by Jillian Blevins Directed by Jonathan Cook Produced by Jonathan Cook & Devon McSherry Starring Anna Demetriou (Charlotte Cushman); Charlotte McBurney (Susan Cushman); Paris Pringle (Sallie Mercer); Devora Wilde (Eleanora); Kezia Burrows (Matilda Hays); Neil Hellegers (Benjamin Webster); and Jonathan Cook (Edwin Forrest). Editing and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook Music by Tamsin Dearnley, Roie Shpigler & Harlan Guthrie Cover Art by A.C. Daniel with design by Jonathan Cook Please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gatherbytheghostlight.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to hear more audio dramas like this one. This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also funded in part by a generous award from the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
See All Season 1 (7)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A historical audio drama limited series based on the life of Charlotte Cushman produced by Gather by the Ghost Light. In 1845, Charlotte Cushman is the most famous American actress in the world, well-known for playing men's roles in the plays of Shakespeare. Despite her international fame, she harbors a secret, hidden in plain sight: she loves women. Celebrated in her own country, she has brought her sister Susan to London to play Juliet to her Romeo. Old resentments between the sisters surface as Charlotte struggles to balance her exploding career, her tumultuous relationship with writer Matilda Hays, and her affair with another young woman, all while keeping her personal life hidden from her fans, her sister, and her bitter rival, Edwin Forrest. Written by Jillian Blevins. Starring Anna Demetriou, Charlotte McBurney, Paris S. Pringle, Kezia Burrows, Jonathan Cook, Devora Wilde, & Neil Hellegers. Directed and Sound Design by Jonathan Cook.

Information

  • Creator
    Gather by the Ghost Light
  • Episodes
    8
  • Seasons
    1
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Romeo & Her Sister

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