The Restoration of Nell Gwyn

Full of humour and bawdy wit, this new comedy transports us into the wanton world of the English Restoration. A new comedy by Steve Trafford with songs by Henry Purcell.

King Charles 2nd lies ill, Nell Gwyn, his royal whore, once the brightest star of the Restoration theatre, rages against her fate. What will become of her if Charles is summoned to his Maker? What perils will befall the English nation? Mistress Gwyn and Margery, her maid, lead us a merry dance, filled with their laughter, their tears, and Nell’s enchanting songs of the Baroque: A rollicking romp which ends with a sting in its tail.

Eleanor ’Nell’ Gwyn (2 February 1650 - 14 November 1687) was a long-time mistress of King Charles II of England and Scotland. Called ’pretty, witty Nell’ by Samuel Pepys, she has been regarded as a living embodiment of the spirit of Restoration England and has come to be considered a folk heroine, with a story echoing the rags-to-royalty tale of Cinderella. She was the most famous Restoration actress and possessed a prodigious comic talent. Gwyn had two sons by King Charles: Charles Beauclerk (1670-1726); and James Beauclerk (1671-1680). The surname of her sons is pronounced ’Bo-Clare’. Charles was created Earl of Burford and later Duke of St. Albans.

Steve Trafford was a founder member of Red Ladder Theatre, writing and cowriting their work over a number of years. Plays included: Nerves of Steel (dir: Chris Rawlence), Taking Our Time (dir: Michael Attenborough), Ladders to the Moon (dir: Annie Castledine). He wrote Marie - The Story of Marie Lloyd for Elizabeth Mansfield, and it’s radio adaptation for BBC Radio 4. Marie ran twice in the West End at the Fortune Theatre, where Elizabeth was nominated for an Olivier Award as ’Best Actress in a Musical’. He wrote the music theatre piece, Hymn to Love - Homage to Piaf, and adapted it for BBC Radio 3. His most recent play, A Cloud in Trousers, about the Futurist poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, was co-produced by Ensemble and York Theatre Royal. Steve has translated Bertolt Brecht’s The Mother, re-setting the songs to Hanns Eisler’s original score. Also a new translation of Ay Carmela! by José Sanchis Sinisterra, which was co-produced by Ensemble and York Theatre Royal.