Nell Gwynn with Gemma Arterton transfers to West End
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FOLLOWING critical acclaim and a sell-out run at Shakespeare’s Globe, Jessica Swale’s new play Nell Gwynn is transferring to the West End.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe and starring Gemma Arterton in the title role, it runs at the Apollo Theatre from February 12 (previews from February 4) to April 30, 2016.
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.
Award-winning Gemma Arterton (The Duchess of Malfi, Made in Dagenham, Quantum of Solace) stars as cheeky, charming and clever Nell Gwynn, one of the first, and most acclaimed, women to appear on the London stage.
Described as blissfully entertaining, 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?
Gemma Arterton has most recently starred as Rita O’Grady in Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre) for which she won the Evening Standard ‘Best Newcomer in a Musical’ Award. Her other theatre credits including The Duchess of Malfi and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Little Dog Laughed (Garrick Theatre) and The Master Builder (Almeida Theatre).
Her film credits include The Voices, alongside Ryan Reynolds and Anna Kendrick; the title role in Gemma Bovery; Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters; Song for Marion; Byzantium; Runner, Runner, alongside Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake; A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventure; the title role in Tamara Drewe; Clash of the Titans; Disney’s Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time; The Disappearance of Alice Creed; The Boat that Rocked; iconic Bond Girl Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace; Three and Out; and St Trinian’s, for which she was nominated for an Empire Award and won a National Movie Award.
Her television work includes Tess in the BBC adaptation of Tess of the D’Urbevilles and Liza in Capturing Mary.
Jessica Swale, who delighted audiences in 2013 with her spirited Blue Stockings at Shakespeare’s Globe, is the Artistic Director of the Red-Handed Theatre Company, which she set up after training at the Central School of Speech and Drama and the University of Exeter.
Recent productions include The School for Scandal, Twelfth Night, The Rivals (starring Celia Imrie) and The Belle’s Stratagem, for which she was nominated for the Evening Standard Award for Best Director. She also directed Bedlam at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2010 – the first work by a female playwright ever performed at the theatre.
Christopher Luscombe’s recent directing credits include Spamalot and The Rocky Horror Show (ATG), Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing (RSC), Henry V (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), The Madness of George III (Bath Theatre Royal), and The History Boys (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Bath Theatre Royal/UK tour).
Luscombe has also previously directed The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Comedy of Errors at Shakespeare’s Globe and for his West End revival of When We Are Married he was nominated for an Olivier Award. Originally an actor, his screen credits include The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep.
Nell Gwynn is presented in the West End by Nica Burns, Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Paula Marie Black.
NB: Tickets go on general sale on Thursday, December 3, 2015. Priority booking for Friends of Shakespeare’s Globe opened today (Friday, November, 27, 2015).
Also at the Apollo Theatre: Peter Pan Goes Wrong (December 4, 2015 to January 31, 2016).