Nell Gwynn - Review by Julie Petrucci, Combinations
Review of "Nell Gwynn" by Jessica Swale - Combined Actors of Cambridge at the ADC Theatre
Directed by James Dowson.
This is a play which tells the story of the legendary Nell Gwynn, the first female star of theLondon 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. Though the play is set during the reign of King
Charles II, the dialogue is more twenty-first century than seventeenth. In addition Jessica
Swale’s script uses the concept of the play-within-a-play. It is witty and extremely humorous as
it charts the rise of an unlikely heroine, from her roots up to her success as one of Britain's
most celebrated actresses and her place in the heart of the King.
It is clear that Director James Dowson wanted to celebrate the lively and playful nature of
Restoration era theatre. The script brushes the surface of the political and religious upheaval of
the era and this was well defined through the strong direction. The lovely music composed
and arranged by Ian Flavell added an extra layer to the production. The catchy (and sometimes
saucy) songs were sung with gusto by Nell and her fellow Players.
The action takes place in various locations and were defined admirably using simplistic
settings. I did have a problem though with the outside/dressing room scenes set very far stage
right where there was a brick wall and a bench. From my seat on the far left of the auditorium
when more than one person used the bench at the same time they were virtually unseen.
Costumes were excellent with a difference between royalty and the commoners and were worn
well. Hair styles, wigs and make-up all looked splendid. Lighting design was well thought out
with good use of spots to create atmosphere. The sound used was good and the levels were
well judged.
The cast as a whole, was extremely strong. The group dynamics, whether it be in the scenes
with petty playhouse squabbles or the haughty confrontations between Nell and Lord Arlington
or Charles’ other love interest Lady Castlemaine were extremely good.
In the Playhouse James Inman was charisma personified as Charles Hart the theatre’s leading
actor. In a commanding and entertaining performance his admiration and love for Nell and his
jealousy of the King was well defined. Adam Roberts as Thomas Killigrew, actor manager of
the said theatre company was very good. His reluctance to accept an ‘actoress’, his frustration
with Dryden and exasperation with Kynaston came across beautifully. James Lee made the
most of some great put down lines as Edward Kynaston the actor who plays the women’s
parts and I enjoyed Dale Self as John Dryden although I doubt the real John Dryden would
have appreciated Dale’s version of his playwriting ability. Other fine and enjoyable
performances came from Jack Jarvis confident as Ned Spigget, Lindsey McAuley totally
believable and funny as Nell’s confidante and dresser Nancy and Danielle Padley as Nell’s
spirited sister Rose who added a sense of the “real world”.
In the Royal Court: Sarah Jarvis played dual roles. Both her controlled and scheming Lady
Castlemaine and her imposing Louise de Keroualle were first rate. Another playing dual roles
was Jennifer Scott-Reed whose frustrated and sad Queen Catherine and Nell’s gin-soaked
mother Ma Gwynn were both extremely well defined. Toby Cordwell-Moore commanded his
scenes and was impressive as Lord Arlington the King’s key advisor. Mark Hampton as King
Charles II was endearing, funny and at the appropriate times, quite tragic and troubled. An
outstanding performance.
The performance of Nell Gwynn is pivotal to the success of the play and Jasmine Shah
embraced Nell’s character confidently and convincingly. She played the role with pathos,
emotion and humour. Her scenes with the King were super as were the lively theatre scenes. An
exceptionally bravura performance.
This was a ‘bawdy’ and stylishly directed production producing a high quality evening of
theatre. Congratulations to Combined Actors and everyone involved.