Acclaimed OVO production, Playhouse Creatures, is making an encore at the Maltings Arts Theatre next week after its success earlier this year.
April de Angelis’ play gives a glimpse into the lives of the first actresses to appear on the English stage. It follows the lives of five such actresses, including Nell Gwyn who became the King’s mistress.
While they appeared to have exciting and liberated lives, they were still the playthings of the men who formed the bulk of their audiences - and were only employable while their looks lasted.
Playhouse Creatures contrasts comic extracts from plays of the period with frantic dressing room scenes in which the women’s dramatic skills and their tough independence of spirit are shown.
The play, which can be seen at 8pm from next Thursday, November 12, until Saturday, November 14, features local actresses Lucy Crick, Steph Jones, Jane Withers, Kat Rogers and Anna Franklin.
Tickets at £12/£11/£7.50 are available here.
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