Nell Gwynn

This is a play which tells the story of the legendary Nell Gwynn, the first female star of the London stage. It is of and about the theatre, and a love affair between the actress and the King; also between the stage and the audience. Furthermore Jessica Swales script is witty and extremely humorous.

Played against the blacks it was left to costumes and actors to bring life and colour to the production.  Make up and wigs (Jen Spencer & Phoenix Hair) were splendid and the minimal number of props were well thought out; and well done Adele Meads and Miles Greves on the giant hat used for Nell’s “joke”. Costumes (Sarah Stammler, Trish Brook and Gaenor Nunn) were suitably in period and complete with the accessories looked grand. Max Richardson’s Lighting design was effective as was the music and sound effects from Eva Fekete and Tim Bold.  I wasn’t sure whether all of the off stage music between scenes was live but the onstage performers Ruth Burrows, Miles Greves and Tim Bold did a great job.   

This production had a large and talented cast. In the King’s Company Chris Turner as Thomas Killigrew, actor manager of the said theatre company was splendid.  A particularly strong performance came from Chris Hudson as the theatre’s leading actor Charles Hart and I really enjoyed Nat Spalding’s deadpan delivery of some great put down lines as Edward Kynaston the actor who plays the women’s parts. I wonder though whether the real John Dryden would have appreciated Stuart Nunn’s version of his playwriting ability as much as we all did in his fine portrayal. 

Carl Perkins made an excellent King Charles II whose patronage of The King’s Company led him to meet Nell, resulting in some fine scenes between the two. Ashton Cull commanded his scenes and was excellent as Lord Arlington the King’s key advisor. 

Other fine and enjoyable performances came from Martin Fearon confident as Ned Spigget, Brontë Beckett believable as Nell’s confidante and dresser Nancy and Becky Gilbert as Nell’s spirited sister Rose.  

The play calls for a large cast and the Directors did not go for doubling up parts. So often small roles within a large cast are overlooked or discounted but this was not the case here and therefore deserve mention.  Lovely cameos from Josephine Hussey (Lady Castlemaine), Steph Hamer (Old Ma Gywnn), Naomi Ing (Queen Catherine) and Jules Greves (Louise de Keroualle).  Good support came from Michelle Gibson (William) and Court Servants Theresa Kopplin and Andy Wilkes.

The performance of Nell Gwynn is pivotal to the success of the play and Georgie Bickerdike embraced Nell’s character confidently and convincingly. She played the role with pathos, emotion and humour, just like the person she impersonated so well. Her scenes with Carl Perkins (King Charles) were super as were the theatre scenes. An exceptionally bravura performance.

Although the play is quite long it did not feel so. Directors Dean Laccohee and Tim Bold ensured a well-kept pace with the cast bringing out all the humour of the script in some very fine and well-delivered performances.  Congratulations Huntingdon Drama Cub and thank you for an excellent evening.

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