Nell Gwynn
Paperback, 128 pages ISBN: 9781848425590Publication Date:
4 Feb 2016
Size: 198mm x 129mm£10.99 £8.79You save £2.20 (20%)
A4 Spiral-bound, 256 pages ISBN: 9781839041891Publication Date:
4 Feb 2016
Size: 297mm x 210mm£14.99 £11.99You save £3.00 (20%)
Ebook, 128 pages ISBN: 9781780016627Publication Date:
4 Feb 2016
£10.99 £8.79You save £2.20 (20%)
First Staged:
Shakespeare's Globe, London, 2015

Nell Gwynn

By Jessica Swale

Paperback £10.99£8.79

A4 Spiral-bound £14.99£11.99

Ebook £10.99£8.79

  • Best New Comedy, Olivier Awards - 2016

London, 1660. King Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things loud, extravagant and sexy. And at Drury Lane, a young Nell Gwynn is causing stirrings amongst the theatregoers.

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?

Jessica Swale's exhilarating take on the heady world of Restoration theatre premiered at Shakespeare's Globe, London, in September 2015, before transferring to the West End in February 2016, starring Gemma Arterton. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2016.


A4 Edition also available

This play is also available as an A4 Edition, offering spiral binding, a larger print size and additional space for notes. To order the play in this format, simply select the 'A4 Spiral-bound' option above. Please note A4 Editions are only available for delivery within the UK.


Blog Post: Jessica Swale on resurrecting Nell Gwynn. 'If she was learning the craft, falling in love with acting, surely someone of her wit and intelligence would want better parts to play than the ‘wilting waifish woman’.' Read more >>

‘They’ve disgraced our trade. Ruined our art. They’ve put a woman on the stage.’

Press Quotes

'Bawdy and brilliant... a wonderful, warm-hearted and generous piece of theatrical history'

The Stage

'An out-and-out celebration of the fun of theatre… if you’re looking for laughs, and a romping brash show, this is great'

The Arts Desk

'Cannily mixes Carry On double-entendres with an explicitly feminist message… a love-letter to theatre itself and the cheerful chaos involved in putting on a play'

Guardian

'Superbly funny… a juicy, well-wrought thing of great fun, a wonderfully layered celebration of theatre, but most of all an apt homage to a woman incredibly ahead of her time'

Time Out

'[A] gloriously funny and touching bio-drama… a right royal treat'

Telegraph

'An absolute treat… a bawdy, witty, engaging romp'

The Times

'A rollicking good evening’s entertainment... an unending delight'

Evening Standard
Paperback,128 pages ISBN: 9781848425590Publication Date:
4 Feb 2016
Size: 198mm x 129mm£10.99 £8.79You save £2.20 (20%)
A4 Spiral-bound,256 pages ISBN: 9781839041891Publication Date:
4 Feb 2016
Size: 297mm x 210mm£14.99 £11.99You save £3.00 (20%)
Ebook,128 pages ISBN: 9781780016627Publication Date:
4 Feb 2016
£10.99 £8.79You save £2.20 (20%)

Also by Jessica Swale:

The Playhouse Apprentice
Blue Stockings
Drama Games for Devising
Jessica Swale's Blue Stockings
Drama Games for Rehearsals
Drama Games for Classrooms and Workshops
The Jungle Book

Go to author page...

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