Nell Gwynn (2018)
by Jessica Swale; music composed by Nigel Hess
Performances: Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 September 2018, Old Fire Station
Contents
Introduction
London, the 1660s onwards.
King Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things loud, extravagant and sexy. And at Drury Lane, a young Nell Gwynn is causing stirrings amongst the theatregoers.
Bawdy. Sexy. Fun.
Cast
- Nell Gwynn - Jade Fane
- Rose Gwynn - Emily McDonnell
- Nancy - Lois Savill
- Lady Castlemaine - Jenny McLaughlin
- Louise de Kérouaille - Carly Lindon-Forrester
- Queen Catherine - Audrey Lindsay
- Ma Gwynn - Kay Anderson
- King Charles II - Charlie Golding
- Charles Hart - Neelaksh Sadhoo
- Thomas Killigrew - Derek Dempsey
- Edward Kynaston - Jack King
- John Dryden - Rob Wallis
- Lord Arlington - Tom Melly
- Ned Spiggett - Rob Tavernier
- Ensemble - Elena Markham
- Ensemble - David Clements
...and introducing Bee as The Spaniel
Musicians
- Marcus Reeves - guitar
- Rachel Osorio - accordion
- Jenny Warner - recorders
Creative Team
- Director - Mark Ireson
- Assistant director - Jo Boniface
- Musical director - Marcus Reeves
- Choreographer - Kelly-Kim Cranstoun
- Stage manager - Graham Clements
- Lighting and sound design - Bob Callender
- Costume - Jess Osorio, Jenny Bennett, Ruby Todd, Jenny Clements and Dan Coffey
- Wigs and hair - Lily Ann Coleman
- Set construction - Graham Clements, Chaz Doyle, Sean Thomas, cast and crew
- Rigging - Sean Thomas
- Scenic art - Carole Ironside and Mark Ireson
- Props - Jo Boniface, Dan Coffey and Carole Ironside
- Assistant stage managers - David Clements and Carole Coyne
- Operators - Tiffany Manning and Mark Davies; Malcolm Woodman up to show run
- Poster and programme design - Bryon Fear
- Production photography - Simon Gleisner
Reviews
Massive applauds for the Nell Gwynn gang. An absolute tour de force from Jade, an exceptionally well cast ensemble behind her (would be unfair to single anyone out) and stand out music arranged by Marcus Reeves. Mark Ireson and team you nailed it! I would say “get a ticket” but I don’t think there are many left! I am so glad I made it down - what a wonderful night of theatre xxx
Catherine Ellis Raku-Evans
Loved loved loved Nell Gwynn. Terrific fun. Wonderful cast, and Marcus Reeves you did a great job with the songs ... I can see you reprising that role of MD again. Well done Mark, you and your crew should be proud ... and Jade ... sensational darling!!! So glad you’re selling out this week, you all deserve it. x
Bryon Fear
Well done Mark Ireson and all the cast and crew of Nell Gwynn for producing a rollicking fab production. Really enjoyed your first night and the play. Funny, bawdy and touching. Lovely performances and I loved the in jokes about the stage and acting. Go see!
Eddie Coleman
Thanks to all involved in Nell Gwynn for a highly entertaining night out full of wonderfully memorable performances and lashings of well delivered bawdy humour. Loved it.
Adam Crook
Well done all involved with Nell Gwynn, thoroughly entertaining, bawdyline maravilhoso!
David Carr
Wonderful show tonight from everyone. Cast, crew, operators, I loved every minute.
Kay George
A thoroughly entertaining and engaging evening, with super performances all round. The colourful costumes and the live music contributed to the overall enjoyment, and it was great to hear strong singing that never became shout-y.
Helen Jones
It was, indeed, a fabulous show, and I really enjoyed it. Great performances all round. Congratulations to the cast, crew and especially Mark Ireson.
Christine Theophilus
What a treat to see Nell Gwynn after journeying back from the warmth of Italy. Loved every minute of it and Nell was surely the star of the show. Audrey Lindsay, wow, your Portuguese was mind blowing. Well done everyone on a dazzling performance. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Hazel Hindle
What a fantastic show and so nice that had to shovel up as there was a full house.
Linda White
Thanks to the Nell Gwynn cast and crew for a lovely evening yesterday. Great direction, lovely singing. It was a sell out and is deservedly so for the last two performances. Well done everybody.
Lee Ridgeway
Bravo! Loved it - well played all.
Bex Law
Thanks
They say it takes a village to raise a child; bringing this show to fruition over the past year seems like it has taken a small town. In addition to the cast and creative team, lots of folk have provided invaluable help in a hundred small and large ways:
Tom Carradine, Maureen Duignan, Fay Carradine, Jennifer Nettles, Emma Kerby-Evans, Kerstin at Bromley Little Theatre, Jenny Coleman at Beckenham Theatre Centre, Berry Butler and Nikki Packham at The Miller Centre, Elizabeth Callow, Tony Freitas from O Girasol, The SLT box office, front of house, raffle and bar teams, Bryon Fear, Naomi Liddle, Bex Law, Rory Hacker, Bee and our Theatre Committee rep, Jess Osorio, who has been a tireless support.
Thank you all so much. We couldn’t have done it without you
Mark Ireson, director
Gallery
- NellGwynn003.jpg
- NellGwynn004.jpg
- NellGwynn005.jpg
- NellGwynn006.jpg
- NellGwynn007.jpg
Poster video
Bryon Fear made this video showing the creation of the poster.
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
Many of the characters in the play were actual historical figures, and their lives have provided source material for any number of writers of books, plays and films. Of the plays performed by SLT, Nell appears as a character in Playhouse Creatures by April de Angelis and Charles II is in The Libertine by Stephen Jeffreys. Kynaston, Nell and Charles also feature prominently in Compleat Female Stage Beauty by Jeffrey Hatcher.
References
External Links
On Wikipedia:
- Nell Gwynn
- Charles II
- Queen Catherine
- Lord Arlington
- Lady Castlemaine
- Louise de Kérouaille
- Thomas Killigrew
- Edward Kynaston
- Charles Hart
- John Dryden
Other links that may be of interest:
