"Nell Gwynn" by Jessica Swales
Lace Market Theatre

London, 1660. King Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things extravagant and sexy. And in the West End, a young Nell Gwynn is causing a stir amongst the theatregoers...

This is a warm-hearted, bawdy comedy which tells of the rise of an unlikely heroine, from her impoverished roots as an orange seller to her success as Britain's most celebrated actress, winning the adoration of the public and the heart of the King. But at a time when women are second-class citizens, will her charm and spirit be enough to protect her from the dangers of the Court?

This is the third time that I'd seen "Nell Gwynn", but this production seems so different to the ones that I'd seen previously, and strange as this may seem, it must be down to the Director and the cast.

Georgia Wray as Nell is a class act, going from selling her oyster, to selling oranges, to selling a character as an actor. A lovely Cockney charm, but all the way through, Georgia gave Nell a supreme confidence, letting us know that she was in charge of her own life.Georgia also gets to air her vocal chords in some very saucy, innuendo filled music hall ditties.

Georgie Sandland plays Rose Gwynn, gets the hard task of being the go-between, the link that tried to keep the connection between Nell and her Mother.

Linda Croston doubles as Ma Gwynn as well as Queen Catherine, and also is responsible for sourcing all of the wonderful costumes in this periodic romp. I had to really peer at Linda in this role as she is practically unrecognisable - possibly because every time I see Linda she always looks so glam. In this down trodden role, and with that wonderful accent, you'd not connect the two. A wonderful piece of character acting.

Harrison Lee plays the flamboyant Edward Kynaston, who is in danger of losing his reign as London’s main female character actor, to a female actor in the shape of Nell. Just the right side of camp without going over the top. There is a wonderful scene explaining "the language of the fan" that is sublimely comical.

Trev Clarke (Thomas Killigrew), played the dramatist and theatre manager, succeeding in bringing the wit of the character alive.

Matthew Thomason (Charles Hart) for me, made me smile the most with his foppish and over the top physicality as Hart. if you're going to sell a move or speech, then oversell it, and that is what Matthew did.Even down to his facial expressions, everything was delivered to the back row of the theatre. loved this role and characterisation.A wonderful masterclass in how to exaggerate for the ultimate comic effect.

Richard Fife (John Dryden), again delivered a sterling performance as the playwright, whose ideas seem to bear a resemblance to some other works of literature for some reason. I don't ever remember Richard giving a less than perfect performance, and this is another great one to add to that CV.

Alison Hope (Nancy) does comic roles so well and this is a brilliant role for a comedy actor. That is one thing you'll find with Swale's work; she knows how to write for women exceptionally well. This role shows just how forthright and humorous women from this period were. I loved the scene where Nancy was subbing in the play within this play and the "ham" actor was shown, something that you just can't level at Alison's acting skills.

Connor Jones (Ned Spiggett), again made me smile as the "actor in training" in Dryden's prologue, making a bit of a hash of the prologue, which allows us to be introduced to Nell at the start of the play. loved the Welsh accent, and also the comic one liners and quips Ned got to deliver. Another fun character in a play full of fun characters.

Jamie Goodliffe (King Charles), like Charles Hart was wonderfully over the top in everything that he did, including his amorous pursuits. Think Leslie Phillips crossed with Sid James and that is pretty close to this characterisation. Brilliant fun and I loved the Franglais scene, reminiscent of "Allo Allo".

David Dunford (Lord Arlington) plays Charles' chief minister, and a bit of a baddie as he tries to thwart the romance between Nell and the King.

Clare Moss (Lady Castlemaine/Louisa de Keroualle) shines in both roles, but it's the French Louisa de Keroualle that gives Clare the chance to show her comedy heels with the faux French accent. There is a scene where she attends the play with Charles, thinking that she will outshine Nell but Nell appears on stage with a look that puts Louisa in the shadows on more than one way!

Directed by Dave Partridge, in his first involvement with the Lace Market Theatre, makes a fine debut. Saying that, he is no stranger to the stage as he has a very credible CV where the stage is concerned and is a fine addition to the Lace Market Theatre’s talented group. Dave is assisted in this role by Linda Croston and between them they produce a very entertaining and comical romp.

Dave Partridge and Mark James together are responsible for the Set Design which is sparse but works really well. the idea to have all of the actors on stage, but at the back and the side where you could see them was an inspired idea.

Lighting Design by Simon Carter and Sound Design by Matt Allcock transported us back in time perfectly.

Wardrobe credits go to Linda Croston and Marie Morehen and was a visual treat.

You can only come to the conclusion that the cast absolutely loved performing this play. The speed of the story shows that a lot of hard work has gone into the timing and pace of the story, making sure there is not one second that you'll not be entertained by this wonderfully talented cast and crew.

Tonight looked to be a sold out show, and I know that Friday and Saturday are also sold out, so if you want to get the chance to see this bawdy comedy, you better get a move on and get your tickets

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Carry On, Nell Gwynn?

LIFE in England was very unsettled during the 1640s. In 1660, the Stuarts were restored to the throne. Actors could be apprehended and punished as rogues. Male actors still played the female roles on stage but all that was about to change.

Enter Nell Gwynn, briefly a prostitute, clever wit, player and lover to Charles II.

On being restored to the throne, one of Charles' early acts was to licence two acting companies and legalise acting as a profession for women.

There have been many books, plays and films about Nell Gwynn.

At The Lace Market Theatre in Jessica Swale's comical drama, simply called Nell Gwynn, the action concentrates on the affairs of the heart between commoner and royalty, the Restoration theatre world, jealous rivalries and pressures of life in the public gaze.

It is very funny, almost Carry On Nell Gwynn in parts, and it is played with tongue-in-cheek gusto. The piece is tightly directed by Dave Partridge. The costumes are uniformly excellent as are the settings by Partridge and Mark

James which use simple visuals to convey the scenes. It's all very meta-theatre,1600s-style.

Georgia Wray gives us a very joyous, vital, sexually knowing and intelligent Nell and is well matched by a posturing Jamie Goodliffe as Charles II. Also notable are Matthew Thomason as romantic lead actor Charles Hart and Richard Fife as a critically maligned playwright John Dryden.

Linda Croston shows her versatility as Ma Gwynn and Spanish-born Queen Catherine. Clare Moss is imposing as Lady Castlemaine and Louise de Keroualle.

Among the comical goings on and double entendres there is an explicitly feminist message. As the first main stage play in 2020 Nell Gywnn sets the bar high.

Theatre Review: Nell Gwynn at Lace Market Theatre

Anna Marshall popped down to see this splendiferous performance...

The Lace Market Theatre's production of Nell Gwynn, a play by Jessica Swale written in 2013, is a rags to riches tale of a young orange seller with a zest for acting and lover to King Charles II. She, in many ways, epitomised the libitarian ideals of the age. The first woman in a long while to grace the London stage, she also came from the slums of London’s Cheapside according to this story. Although nobody really knows where Nell came from.  

Bawdy jokes are abundant, befitting the times but Nell herself, played by local actress Georgia Wray, appears frail and vulnerable as she tries to negotiate her family loyalties with her obligation to the Restoration Theatre, and the demanding sexual needs of the King. Stronger characters at play are the alcoholic mother, her theatre tutor (and lover) Charles Hart, played to theatrical and comic effect by Matthew Thomason, the King’s conniving mistress Lady Castlemaine, and the King himself, performed with eccentric delight by Jamie Goodliffe.

Although the performances themselves are excellent, the play portrays Nell as a love-sick devotee of the King rather than a tough woman using her wit and charm to survive against the odds. This detracts from the feminist values that Swale promotes at other times. As it is a play within a play, Nell at one point says that she is tired of women being represented by Shakespeare as willing to ‘die for love’, as if they are worth nothing without a man beside them.

Read the original article here.