Nell Gwynn

This highly entertaining and well-crafted play traces Nell Gwynn’s involvement in the theatre as she progresses from being an orange seller to becoming a great actress and mistress of King Charles ll. Making her debut in this Sleaford Little Theatre production was Francesca Taylor, who delivered an exhilarating performance as Nell. Also appearing in her first production with SLT was Annie Johnson who confidently played Nell’s young sister Rose Gwynn, and making up the family group was Linda Mallett playing Old Ma Gwynn.

Whilst endeavouring to sell fruit to members of the audience in the Playhouse Theatre, Drury Lane, Nell engages in banter with them. This activity is observed by Charles Hart, the leading actor of his day (played by Andy Canadine), who is much impressed by Nell’s skill in communicating with an audience and as a result conducts an audition of sorts, testing out her display of attitudes and informs her she is good enough to act on the stage. Nell is somewhat reluctant to accept this judgement especially as very few theatres had yet to include female actors in their productions, despite Charles II having granted permission for this. Nell joined Charles Hart in the Kings Company of actors at the Playhouse Theatre and they began an affair.  From the start of her acting career Nell received great support from Nancy, her dresser (played by Colette Buchanan-Gray).  

Nell’s admission to the company as an “actor-ess” was welcomed by writer John Dryden (played by Jonny Hoare), who no doubt envisaged more writing opportunities. Actor Manager and Dramatist Thomas Killigrew (played by Tony Gordon) was very keen to welcome Nell to the company, as were most of the other players. Only Edward Kynaston (played by Kei Bailey) was very much against women being allowed on the stage but this was to be expected, since prior to royal permission being granted, he had specialised in performing female parts.  

King Charles later attended a production at The Playhouse in which Nell was appearing and going backstage, he is smitten! They began an affair which lasted 16 years during which she had two sons by him. The king’s philandering must have created immense problems for Lord Arlington, his advisor, (played by David Malkin).Despite the strong feelings that Charles had for Nell he was not beyond escorting other ladies to the theatre and introducing them to Nell to antagonise her - they included his wife, Queen Catherine of Braganza (played by Hazel Bridgen), Lady Castlemaine and Louise de Keroualle (both characters played by Joanne Moules). Charlie Moules deserves a special mention for his delivery of the prologue in the play during which he is subjected to a number of deliberate interruptions from other members of the cast, but retained his concentration.

Director Alan Robey, assisted by Gary Goodge, devoted a considerable amount of attention to detail in this production. The set was well constructed and finished and the costumes most appropriate. The musical accompaniment to the “saucy songs” was provided by Emma Hoare and choreography relevant to the period was devised by Karen Davey-Brown.

Thank you all who were involved in making this superbly crafted play available to the public.

  

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