The Pendleton School of Theatre Presents: Nell Gwynn

Presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books

NELL GYWNN Presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books Written by Jessica Swale Directed by Michael Peavoy Co-Directed by Shameela Walker Original Music by Neil G. Bennett Orchestrations and Arrangements by Nathan Jarvis Head of Production Arts by Graham Wilkins Technical Supervision by Michael Hill , Daniel Thomond and Daniel Foster Wardrobe & Costume Supervisor - Emily Buckley

DIRECTOR’S WELCOME NOTE Good evening and thank you for joining us for this evening’s performance of Nell Gwynn. We’re all so incredibly grateful to be (finally!) sharing a production with family and friends, having had our theatre doors closed to the public for almost a year. And what better way to bring you back in than a good old-fashioned comedy!

Nell Gwynn, by Jessica Swale, felt like a perfect play to share after our collective experience in ‘unprecedented’ times. Nell Gwynn was one of the first actors (or actresses) to tread the board when laws were changed by Charles II upon his restoration to the throne. Following Cromwell’s period of austere, puritan rule, Charles II took his place on the throne and swiftly became known as ‘the Merry Monarch’. Theatre was restored and stages were once again filled with life and joy with writers embracing the cavalier attitudes of the kind bringing audiences bawdy comedies full of larger-than-life characters and the odd flop. On December 8th 1660, a woman legally took to the stage for the first time playing Desdemona in Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’. Cut to Nell Gwynn appearing on stage in the King’s company and our Merry Monarch liking what he sees...

Needless to say, not everybody was a fan of the change and, unsurprisingly, it was mostly the men who kicked up a fuss. Jump forward a few years to now and, whilst much has changed, the world continues to have discussions around the inequalities faced by women in the modern world.

Without going into much detail, we’re all aware of recent events of the past few years that have shone a light on the seemingly innate issues still within our system and, as always, it’s been mostly women holding the torch so men can see. Some have looked and some have turned away. This play takes us back to 1660 so we can look through the lens of Jessica Swales’ work and enjoy the ridiculousness of the past whilst reflecting on our own world today.

I am extremely proud of the work our team have put into this production and, as you’ll see, the work done across the board is astonishing. We rehearse our plays in the equivalent of seven full days (eight hours a week for seven weeks, mostly in the evening after College) and our Technical Team have built and designed every element of the set in the same period. I hope you’ll agree that we continue to set the bar extremely high and never say no to a challenge!

I want to also say a massive thank you to all the parents and guardians, friends, and family, who support our students and keep them going through the long days. They couldn’t do this without your support – so thank you. A huge thank you again for joining us this evening, I hope you have a merry time!

Michael Peavoy, Associate Artistic Director

CAST Olivia Baker as Nell Gwynn

Brook Debio as Charles Hart

Niall Sheridan as Charles II

Freya Jackson as Rose

Halim Diouani as Edward Kynnaston

Charlie Sutton as Thomas Killigrew

Ciaràn Lockwood as John Dryden

Fenton Burgess as Lord Arlington

Nel Hay as Nancy

Luke Beeson as Ned Spiggett

Lena Tylus as Lady Castlemaine

Niamh O’Neil as Louise De Keroualle

Aisha Brunt as Queen Catherine

Louise Greenfield as Ma Gwynn

Seyi Awe as William

Niamh O’Neil & Lucy Bushell as Celadon and Florimel Duet

FEATURED ENSEMBLE Jess Vernon

Morgan Costello

Maiya Libbey

Vanessa Blackburn

STUDENT TECHNICAL TEAM Stage Manager - Charlie Yates

Assistant Stage Managers:

Deputy Stage Manager - Dom Wilson

Niamh Sutcliffe

Set Designer - Isaac Kennedy

Charlie Evans

Assistant Set Designer - Cade Hodkinson

Katie Daley

Lighting Designer - Owen Kelly

Shannon Parker

Lighting Operator - Jay Norrey

Bailey Bellamy

Sound Designer - Cristiano Mancini

Sophie Purser

Sound Operator - Shannon Parker

Jake Robson

Prop Manager - Ali Cone

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS With Special Thanks to: Governors The Senior Leadership Team Neil G Bennett, Head of the Centre of Excellence for Performing Arts Lucy Huntbach, Head of Performing Arts The Estates & Facilities Team Performing Arts Staff Leeds Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic Theatre and York Theatre Royal Costume Hire Stockyard North

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