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The Abyssinians is set in the 5th Century in the Aksumite Empire, also known as the Kingdom of Aksum.

Aksum was a wealthy and influential monarchy that at its height spanned what is now northern Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, southern Saudi Arabia and western Yemen.

"I feel like Aksum is completely excluded out of that picture. Ethiopia is a cradle of civilisation - and yet I feel that it is never really included in our understanding of global history," says Desta.

She is seen by some as dictatorial and instrumental in Aksum's downfall, says Desta - who travelled to Ethiopia as part of her research for the play.

People also stayed in church compounds or the houses of relatives if they had some in Aksum.