Emily Carding is a highly experienced actor, theatre-maker and writer, specializing in Shakespeare, responsive immersive theatre, and the horror genre. They hold a BA (hons) in Theatre Arts from Bretton Hall and an MFA in Staging Shakespeare from the University of Exeter. They have won multiple awards internationally for their innovative interactive approach to Shakespearean performance with Brite Theater, including Richard III (a one person show) and Hamlet (an experience). Both adaptations use the audience as characters within the play and create a truly immersive experience with very little other than actor, text, space and audience. A third solo interactive Shakespeare adaptation including gaming elements, Timonopoly, had a successful first run at Edinburgh Fringe 2025, where it won a Fringe Theatre Award.
This focus on the intimate connection between actor and audience has led to further immersive and interactive work, with Emily playing lead roles in both The Locksmith’s Dream and The Key of Dreams which have both received great praise from critics, (including The Guardian and The Express) and guests, including Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Ross, Jane Goldman, Charlie Brooker and Andy Nyman. The Key of Dreams was awarded an 'Immie' award by No Proscenium in 2026
Emily is also an accomplished screen actor, and played the cult leader Dara in return to Silent Hill as well as opposite Martin Freeman in the British horror movie hit, Ghost Stories.
In 2018 Emily was commissioned by London Science Museum to create a solo theatre piece inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Quintessence imagines a future where humanity has become extinct and must be recreated by an AI, using Shakespeare as a guide to the human spirit. This won the outstanding theatre award at Brighton Fringe in 2019 and Emily performed the show at WorldCon in Glasgow in a 2000 seater venue.
Emily is also the creator of a number of highly popular Tarot decks including The Transparent Tarot, The Transparent Oracle and Tarot of the Sidhe, (all published by Schiffer Books) and author of esoteric works, including Faery Craft,(Llewellyn 2012), So Potent Art: The Magic of Shakespeare (Llewellyn 2021) and Seeking Faery (Llewellyn 2022) You can book a TAROT READING or ONLINE MASTERCLASS HERE
Latest News
The Key of Dreams:
The Shadows Lengthen
A new Lovecraftian immersive mystery event from the makers of Locksmith's Dream premiered in May 2024, featuring all new characters and secrets to uncover. The Key of Dreams has recieved great praise from critics and guests alike. Emily plays Dee, an occultist with a dark past. After an epic 48hr finale in July 2025, the stories and characters have shifted. CHAPTER TWO shows are now available to book through the website. Key of Dreams: The Shadows Lengthen is proving a huge hit, having recently won the No Proscenium 'Immie' award for the UK 2026 and being shortlisted for the WXO award!
For a 24 hour immersive experience unlike anything else, book your place HERE
"As Dee, Emily Carding (who is also creative associate) is laconic and seemingly aloof, but shows the greatest character arc as the story progresses. They show a real darkness and grim determination, moving to moments of torment and despair. It's a very powerful performance...
...If you are a fan of immersive theatre, you will be in total heaven at The Key of Dreams. If you are not, this is the one experience that may just change your mind."
***** Broadway World
The Talos Principle III
Emily recently recorded a major role for this much anticipated final game in the Talos Principle series, due out in 2027 from Croteam
Watch the trailer with narration by Emily HERE
Hamlet (an experience) at
Edinburgh Fringe 2026
Hamlet has the questions. Do you have the answers? A prince of Denmark needs your help. Take on the roles, journey through the play and resolve the great questions of life together, immersed in the story as never before. From multi award-winning Brite Theater, creators of Richard III (a one-person show) and Deliverance. Starring Emily Carding, directed by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir.
‘Sigfusdottir’s adaptation and Carding’s sensitive interpretation provide a shortcut to the empathy that many Hamlets crave but seldom achieve’ **** (Stage).
‘Will leave you feeling closer and more empathetic to Hamlet than ever before’ ***** (TheFrontRowCenter.com).
A rare chance to catch the second show in the Coward Conscience trilogy, at The Scottish Storytelling Centre from 7th -17th August. Limited space- book your tickets HERE
TABI Conference, York
Emily is presenting at this year's Tarot Association of the British Isles conference, where they will be leading a workshop with their Transparent Oracle.
More details HERE
Azathoth Blues
Gripping and atmospheric Lovecraftian audio drama Azathoth Blues is now fully released, with Emily playing a significant role in the penultimate episode. Stunning writing by Jonas Kyratzes and music/soundscapes by Chris Christodoulou, Azathoth Blues is a must-listen for fans of weird fiction and mysteries. You can hear Emily's episode HERE, but do be sure to listen to the whole series!
Bridge Command
Return To Silent Hill
The much anticipated horror franchise reboot "Return To Silent Hill" was released in cinemas worldwide in January 2026, in which Emily plays the mysterious Dara. Now available on digital and blu-ray!
Christophe Gans, who directed 2006's Silent Hill, is back behind the camera for Return to Silent Hill, a sequel slated to arrive in theaters in 2026. Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson star in the sequel, which based on Konami's Silent Hill 2. Return to Silent Hill brings the iconic horror franchise back to the screen. When James receives a mysterious letter from his lost love Mary, he is drawn to Silent Hill—a once-familiar town now consumed by darkness. As he searches for her, James faces monstrous creatures and unravels a terrifying truth that will push him to the edge of his sanity.
Voice actor
"Emily Carding is immensely talented, imbuing every character with real depth and humanity - not to mention that wonderful voice! They're also very pleasant to work with, which is why I'll happily cast them again in many future projects." - Jonas Kyratzes, Lead Writer & VO Director at Croteam
Emily now has a professional home studio for voice recording and has recently recorded two audio dramas , an audio book and a major role in a forthcoming indie video game. Check out their voice reels HERE
Workshops and Lectures
Emily has run workshops and given talks on many subjects internationally, including Shakespeare, Immersive theatre, Tarot, Mythology, Alternative Spirituality and Folklore. They are experienced in both online and in person speaking and have worked with all ages and knowledge levels.
To book Emily for your event or workshop, please email using the button below: