Nell’s Belles
Written by Kjartan Poskitt
Directed by Stella and Keith Jarman
12 – 17 July 2010
Scott Godfrey and Jenny Tallowin Snee
It’s the swinging 1660s. King Charles II wants nothing too heavy; politics are a bore. When Nell and her friends from the local Bawdy house join the new Drury Lane Theatre, Charles is delighted by their saucy songs and cheeky antics. Nell rises to stardom and she and Charles embark on one of the most infamous love stories. A whole army of Charladies and delectable seventeenth-century characters take us through the story of the affair that led to the Great Fire of London and the recovery from the plague, the jealousy and outrage of Charlie’s rejected women and to political jiggery-pokery.
Cast
Nell Gwyn – Jenny Tallowin Snee
Rose Gwyn – Kirsty Duncombe
Violet – Kelly Randall
Mercy – Nicola Milner
Agatha – Kiki Soyode
Annie – Emma Stewart
Bess – Jenny Brookes
Helena Gwyn, Nell’s Mother – Eileen Warner
Charles Hart, an actor – Graham Frosdick
Robert Duncan, a theatre manager – John Sheppey
King Charles II – Scott Godfrey
Queen Catherine – Lauren-Jean Reeves
Barbara Villiers, a mistress – Liz Gillett
Louise, a mistress – Emma Constant
Hortense, a mistress – Charlotte Constant
James, King Charles brother – Steve Padgham
Mr Chiffinch, page of the bedchamber – John McLaren
Mrs Chiffinch, Keeper of the Privy – Jeannie Saunders
Irene, charlady – Joanna Lovell
Rita, charlady – Judith Brace
Elsie, charlady – Elsie Bate
Tom Farrinor, Baker – Mike Ames
Titus Oates – Graham Frosdick
Duke of Buckingham – Mike Ames
Father Huddlestone – Frank Andrews
Doctor – Graham Frosdick
Nurse – Eileen Warner
Soldier 1 – Mike Ames
Soldier 2 – Frank Andrews
Soldier 3 – John Sheppey
Barmaid – Charlotte Constant
Newspaper Seller 1 – Marian Andrews
Newspaper Seller 2 – Alice Heather
Newspaper Seller 3 – Amanda Gardner
Newspaper Seller 4 – Sara Fuller
Reaper – John MacDonald
Crew
Musical Director – Andy Hall
Stage Manager – Polly Owen
Prompt – Pauline Fielder
Properties – Diane Frosdick, Hilda and John Humphreys
Set Designer – Roger Butler
Set Builders – Albert Tilbury, Trevor Jeffries, Len Huntley, Ken Swan and Bill Brookes
Decor – Christine Angell, Holly Jarman
Lighting – Peter Bennett, Mike Auvray
Costumes – Marjorie Sawyer,Carole Bramall
Wigs – Christine Angell