Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale
It’s 1660 and the Puritans have run away with their drab grey tails between their legs. Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things loud, French and sexy. And at Drury Lane, a young Nell Gwynn is selling oranges for sixpence. Little does she know who’s watching.
Nell Gwynn charts the rise of an unlikely heroine, from her roots in Coal Yard Alley to her success as Britain’s most celebrated actress and her hard-won place in the heart of the king. But at a time when women are second-class citizens, can her charm and spirit protect her from the dangers of the court? And at what cost?
Bawdy, playfully anachronistic with plenty of innuendo, this is highly entertaining new play – fresh from the West End.
Cast:
Nell Gwynn – Emma Wickenden
Rose Gwynn – Alice Heather
Nancy – Lynn Rushby
Old Ma Gywnn – Janet Clark
Queen Catherine – Sue Hicks
Lady Castlemaine – Sue Bailey
Louise de Keroualle – Sue Bailey
King Charles II – Mark Storey
Charles Hart – Paul Newton
Thomas Killigrew – Pieter Swinge
Edward Kynaston – Ian Evans
John Drydon – Charles Langdon
Lord Arlington – Alec Raemers
Other characters played by members of the cast
Backstage
Director Patricia Melluish
Choreographer Catherine Jarvie
Asst Director Sue Smith
Set Design Alan Matthews
Lighting Design Jon Lewis
Sound Design Ian James, Ivan Buckle
Stage Manager Sue Hicks
Asst Stage Manager Janet Clark
Accompanist Petra Hajduchova
Rehearsal Pianist Louise Dunsby
Stage Director John Heather
Set construction Alan Matthews, Ian Saunders, Andrew Heather, T62 members
Set Décor Adrian Pope
Technical Programming Jon Lewis
Technical Rigging Members of T62
Technical Operators Chloe Belgrave, James Quinn
Costumes T62 Wardrobe Team
Make-Up & Hair Jean Golder, Christine Lever, Penny Vetterlein, Rachel Cormican, Jenny Jones
Properties Lynne Craig
Prompt Audrey Knighton
Technical Support Andrew Herbert
House Manager John Heather
Refreshments Ann Herbert, Nina James
Raffle Sandie Campbell
Box Office Gilly Swinge
Programme Editor John Guttridge
Poster & Programme Design Graham Copeland
