Nell Gwynn

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Alastair Muir
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Alastair Muir
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Alastair Muir
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Alastair Muir
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Alastair Muir
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Alastair Muir

4 February – 30 April 2016
APollo Theatre, London

It is 1660. 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 (Gemma Arterton) is selling oranges for sixpence. Little does she know who’s watching.

Jessica Swale’s blissfully entertaining new play, 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?

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Cast

Nell Gwynn - Gemma Arterton
Ensemble/Understudy - Paige Carter
Nancy - Michele Dotrice
Ensemble/Understudy - Matthew Durkan
Thomas Killigrew - Michael Garner
Edward Kynaston - Greg Haiste
Ensemble/Understudy - George Jennings
Ensemble/Understudy - Ellie Leah
Ned Spigget - Peter McGovern
Lord Arlington - David Rintoul
Rose Gwynn - Anneika Rose
John Dryden - Nicholas Shaw
Charles II - David Sturzaker
Charles Hart - Jay Taylor
Lady Castlemain/Louise De Keroualle - Sasha Waddell
Ola Ma Gwynn/Queen Catherine - Sarah Woodward
Musicians - Emily Baines, Sharon Lindo, Richard MacKenzie, Nicholas Perry

Creative Team

Writer - Jessica Swale
Director - Christopher Luscombe
Designer - Hugh Durrant
Music - Nigel Hess
Choreographer - Charlotte Broom
Lighting Designer - Nick Richings
Sound Designer - Jeremy Dunn
Globe Reproduction Set - Jonathan Fensom
Assistant Director - Matthew Dann
Casting Director - Matilda James
Music Supervisor - Bill Barclay
Voice & Dialect - Martin McKellan
Assistant Choreographer - Maddy Brennan
Assistant Music Supervisor - James Maloney
Producers - NB Productions & Eleanor Lloyd Productions
Originating Producer - Shakespeare's Globe

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★★★★★

The sort of stellar event that sends ripples through the theatrical cosmos.


The Telegraph

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★★★★★

An absolute treat.


The Times

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★★★★★

A wonderful, warm-hearted and generous piece of theatrical history.


The Stage

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★★★★

How pleasing to see the ladies, from Swale to Ms Gwynn herself, leading the way.


Evening Standard

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★★★★

Arterton offers the most generous, and broadest, of Gwynns.


The Times

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★★★★

(Arterton's) best stage performance yet.


Metro

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★★★★

One of the best plays and one of the best performances in the West End.


The Jewish Chronicle

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★★★★

Huge fun.


The Mail on Sunday