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Nwynn
Jessica
Swale’sl
G 11th - 22nd July 2017
wt
Director’s Note Jessica Swale’s play is a joy to have had the pleasure of
working on for the last 4 months and I am so grateful to
have had the opportunity to direct this warm, witty play
as the climax to my three years as Artistic Director for
the wonderful Wokingham Theatre.

An amazing, talented bunch of people, working their


socks off helps make the director look good, but it’s
completely impossible to stage a big production like this
without a total team effort. I couldn’t begin to thank everyone enough for giving
so much of their time and energy bringing the inspiring Nell Gwynn to life, and
will miss her terribly.

As one of our new (cast) members said tonight at our dress rehearsal:
“I’m feeling post show blues already”.
Nicola Allpress

About the P laywright


The award winning author Jessica Swale is no stranger to Wokingham
Theatre as we performed her play Blue Stockings in 2016. The
theatre was proud and delighted when she agreed to become
our patron and gave permission for the theatre to perform
her play Nell Gwynn. This was first performed at
Shakespeare’s Globe in 2016 where it was awarded
the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

Jessica Swale was born in Reading and her interest


in drama and the theatre started when she was
at school. She went on to study drama at Exeter
University and at the Royal Central School of Speech and
Drama. Her subsequent success as a playwright, director
and screenwriter have placed her firmly in the ranks of the
new wave of British writers and directors who are making
such an impact on the theatrical world.
Peter Hodgson
Nell
Gwynn
Written by
Jessica Swale
Music by
Nigel Hess
Directed by
Nicola Allpress
Musical Director Choreographer
Thomas Joy Louise Young Auriole Wells
as NELL GWYNN
Murray Lindo Jerry Radburn Anthony Flemming David Stacey
as CHARLES HART as THOMAS as JOHN DRYDEN as EDWARD
KILLIGREW KYNASTON

Henry Jennings Diane Morton Elysia Carroll


as NED SPIGGET as NANCY as ROSE GWYNN

Laura Hartley Dan Clarke Alan Long Julia Chapman


as LADY as CHARLES II as LORD ARLINGTON as QUEEN
CASTLEMAINE KATHERINE
& LOUISE de Anna McCormack
KEROUALLE as OLD MA GWYNN
ENSEMBLE
Matt Adamson, Bethany Addington & Ali Robson
THE BAND
Thomas Joy & Emma Merchant

Production Manager
Lighting Design by Jan Cameron Sound Design by
Bob Spence Set Design by Liz Newman
Nicola Allpress
Costume Design by
Kate Hughston & Rosemary Matthews
Props by Publicity Design by Programme Design by Stage Manager
Jacqui Myatt & Sophie Pierce Thomas Joy Mel Hampshire
Becca Tizzard Set Construction
Wokingham Theatre Set Team
Welcome from Jessica Swale
It’s fascinating to ask whether Nell’s
celebrity was because of her brilliance as
an actress or because she was the king’s
mistress. Pamphleteers - like paparazzi
today - would quickly report the activities
of the famous, and Charles (and his
mistresses) were the hot topic.

I made the decision early on that the play


should be an entertaining homage to Nell
rather than an attempt at documentary-
style historical accuracy. Otherwise the
play would be a week long, and have to
include the fire of London, the plague, and the entire court decamping to
Oxford in 1665, just for starters.

What was important to me was to capture the quick wit of the time and the
equivalent of that for us is more akin to modern farce. So that’s what this is.
I’ve peppered it with period references, but I’ve chosen to use modern syntax
and diction, with the occasional anachronism for comic effect.

Nell was a highly successful and popular comic actress and, although she was
illiterate, it’s very likely that she really did invent and perform the Epilogue
of this play. The people loved her because she was one of them. It’s not clear
how Nell got onstage, but I like to imagine that she was spotted wittily doing
her job by Charles Hart.

The key events of the play are historically accurate, but I’ve allowed myself to
embellish. Primarily, I wanted it to be fun. And if it’s a play that Nell would
have enjoyed, that’s enough for me.

Jessica Swale
PLAYWRIGHT AND WOKINGHAM THEATRE PATRON
The Music of Nell Gwynn
is show is one of those elusive hybrids, not quite play, not quite musical, but
a blend of the two. Nigel Hess’ score is full to the brim with contemporary
references, from Purcell in particular, but it also incorporates a rich tradition of
English folk music, tavern songs and traditional ditties.

The style and sound is very much based on Purcell; born in 1659, Purcell
grew up and during the earliest years of the English restoration period and is
considered as one of the
greats of English Baroque
music, a stylistic blend
of European sounds and
textures but remaining
noticeably melody-
driven as per the English
tradition.

Away from Hess’ score,


we’ve been sure to put
in plenty of references,
in particular, the use of
Lully’s ‘Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs’, which originally formed part of
the 1670 comédie-ballet ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme’, written by Molière, one of
the Nell Gwynn’s contemporaries name-checked in the show.

Our greatest challenge has been trying to emulate the sound that ‘Nell Gwynn’
deserves, with the original production carrying a full band of musicians
specialising in period music. In our production, there are but two of us on stage,
myself on keys and the wonderful Emma Merchant on violin.

The cast have worked exceptionally hard throughout rehearsals and I’m grateful
to them for their enthusiasm and perseverance. I very much hope you enjoy the
show and apologise now if, like me, you have the songs stuck in your head for
the next week!

Thomas Joy
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Choreography and Nell Gwynn
I’ve been familiar with the excellent productions at Wokingham Theatre for
quite some time and was thrilled to be invited to work on their production of
Nell Gwynn. The style of the play, the music the characters are so well drawn,
so the movement and dance challenge was
to keep the essence of that 17th Century
world alive. I looked at the Baroque styles of
the time and then at the more peasant ones
of the people and added a contemporary
feel. Thanks to our super talented cast and
production team, it worked! Thank you
everyone for your humour, patience and
daisy chains!

I love it “When we get together!”


Auriole Wells
The Cast
NELL GWYNN Louise Young
CHARLES HART Murray Lindo
THOMAS KILLIGREW Jerry Radburn
JOHN DRYDEN Anthony Flemming
EDWARD KYNASTON David Stacey
NANCY Diane Moreton
NED SPIGGETT Henry Jennings
ROSE GWYNN Elysia Carroll
CHARLES II Dan Clarke
BARBARA CASTLEMAINE /
Laura Hartley
LOUISE de KEROUALLE
LORD ARLINGTON Alan Long
QUEEN CATHERINE Julia Chapman
OLD MA GWYNN Anna McCormack
ENSEMBLE Matt Adamson
Bethany Addington
Ali Robson

The Band
KEYS Thomas Joy
VIOLIN Emma Merchant
The Production Team
DIRECTOR Nicola Allpress
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Thomas Joy
CHOREOGRAPHER Auriole Wells
PRODUCTION MANAGER Jan Cameron
COSTUMES Rosemary Matthews
Kate Hughston
and the Wokingham Theatre Costume Team
WIGS Bethany Addington
and Shepperton Wig Hire
LIGHTING DESIGN & Bob Spence
OPERATION Neil Goodhand
SOUND DESIGN & OPERATION Liz Newman
PROPS Jacqui Myatt
Becca Tizzard
STAGE MANAGER Mel Hampshire
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Jess Mallett
REHEARSAL PROMPT Joe Haynes
Ray Carmody
REHEARSAL PHOTOGRAPHY Simon Vail
George Riddell
PUBLICITY DESIGN Sophie Pierce
PROGRAMME DESIGN Thomas Joy
SET DESIGN Nicola Allpress
SET CONSTRUCTION Paul Baily; Barry Cannam; Richard
Coleman; Kevan Daykin; Keith
Graham; Bob Hill; Neil Hodgson; John
Hooper; Tony Jordan; Ben Kellett; Alan
Long; Jacqui Myatt; Mike Paterson;
Rachel Pearson; Jerry Radburn; Mike
Rogers; Jim Russell; Tom Shirley; Tony
Thompson; Becca Tizzard; Ken Wright
LOUISE MURRAY JERRY
YOUNG LINDO RADBURN

ANTHONY DAVID
FLEMMING STACEY

DIANE HENRY ELYSIA


MORETON JENNINGS CARROLL
DAN ALAN LAURA
CLARKE LONG HARTLEY

JULIA ANNA
CHAPMAN McCORMACK

MATT BETHANY ALI


ADAMSON ADDINGTON ROBSON
Costuming Nell Gwynn
The wardrobe team have been busy again. They do enjoy a challenge and Nell
Gwynn has been no exception. I think we have produced possibly the largest carry
on ‘costume’ item in the history of Wokingham Theatre’s productions so far. Who
knows what we will tackle next.

The ‘hat’ took approximately 12 hours to make, including our Technical Directors
help in making a plywood frame for the base which we then mounted the lining
fabric on and covered with another 10 metres of fabric to create the finished hat.
Add to that a cunningly concealed cardboard box from of one of our more upmarket
supermarkets we used to create the crown, and a huge number of staples, parcel tape
and double-sided tape to hold it all together!

Apart from the ‘hat’, we have also risen to


the challenge to create a corset with the
‘female accoutrements’ attached, and
similarly a dress with the said padding
attached, both to be worn by a man!
This presented the challenge of getting
‘them’ at the right angle and height,
they have been heavily manhandled
into their current position!

On a more serious note, the time scale


for the costume team on a production
of this size, can be up to six months in the planning. Involving a couple of trips to
a costume venue, making the rest of the costume sketches to run past the Director,
and many hours sewing the costumes, all the time hoping that, having taken all
the cast measurements, nobody decides to go on a crash diet, or crash out of the
production at the last minute!

This is a very brief description of what we get up to behind the scenes in the costume
department and we are always on the look out for more talent. If you would like to
know more and have sewing skills to offer the team, there is always a small group of
costume makers at the Theatre in the ‘Green Room’, our current home, on a Tuesday
morning from approximately 10am. So please come and see what we get up to. If
you would like to get involved you can join the Theatre too. Now just sit back and
relax, we certainly are!
Kate Hughston
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: CANTLEY PARK

LOCA
EW T

IO
CAN
TLEY

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WOK PARK
INGH
AM
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R 2017

F
Cantley Park

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Food & Drink Exhibitors


Live Music
Beer & Cocktail Bars
Restaurant Marquee
Product Sampling
Craft Stalls
Kids Entertainment

FRIDAY 25TH, SATURDAY 26TH & SUNDAY 27TH AUGUST

Cantley Events Field


Cantley Park, Twyford Road, Wokingham RG40 5TU

For more information please visit the website

WWW.WOKINGHAMFESTIVAL.CO.UK
Next Season at Wokingham Theatre
The Things We Do for Love by Alan Ayckbourn
Wednesday 6th - Saturday 16th September - Booking Open!
Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen
Thursday 19th - Saturday 28th October - Booking from 1st August
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett Extra!
Wednesday 8th - Saturday 11th November - Booking from 1st September
It’s a Wonderful Life by Joe Landry
Wednesday 6th - Saturday 16th December - Booking from 1st October
Doubt - A Parable by John Patrick Shanley
Thursday 25th January - Saturday 3rd February - Booking from 1st November
WYT Production (TBC)
Thursday 15th - Saturday 17th February - Booking from 1st December
A Flea in Her Ear by Feydeau (Adapted by John Mortimer)
Wednesday 14th - Saturday 24th March - Booking from 1st January
Bette and Joan by Anton Burge Extra!
Wednesday 4th - Saturday 7th April- Booking from 1st February
The Deep Blue Sea by Terrence Rattigan
Thursday 3rd - Saturday 12th May- Booking from 1st March
Happy Now? by Lucinda Coxon
Thursday 7th - Saturday 16th June - Booking from 1st April
When We are Married by J B Priestley
Wednesday 18th - Saturday 28th July - Booking from 1st May

Future P lans
We are thrilled to announce that our planning application for the future development
of Wokingham Theatre has been unanimously approved by Wokingham Borough
Council’s Planning Committee. Our thanks go to all the volunteers at WT for preparing
and submitting the application, and we look forward to sharing this exciting new chapter
in Wokingham Theatre’s history with you!
The Official Bits
We are a thriving amateur repertory group presenting 8 major productions a year
alongside Youth Theatre productions, short runs of less well known plays, evenings of
new writing, and a wide range of theatrical skills training. We also make our auditorium
available to others for work as varied as hair-dressing training and Brass Band
performance. The group was founded in 1947, is a registered charity and our purpose
has always been to promote the enjoyment of theatre in Wokingham. The theatre is
staffed entirely by volunteers who give their time and skills to support all aspects of our
operation. Why not join us?

The Board is elected by democratic vote at our AGM in May each year.
Chairperson Hedda Bird
Executive Directors Rachel Pearson (Artistic), Ben Kellett
(Technical), Bob Spence (Operations),
Scott Hamilton (Finance), Jess Hadleigh
(Marketing), Zoe Bishop (Youth
Theatre)
Non-Executive Directors Thomas Joy, Sophie Pierce, Alan Long,
Sue Daykin
Theatre Licensee Bob Hill
Membership Secretary Chris Bowring
In accordance with the requirements of Wokingham Borough Council all gangways,
passageways and stairways shall be kept clear of chairs or any other obstruction.
The public may leave at the end by all exits from the auditorium.

The Theatre reserves the right to refuse admission and to make any alterations to the cast
which may be rendered necessary through illness or other unavoidable cause.

Contact Us Website WokinghamTheatre.org.uk


Email Feedback@wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
Box Office 0118 978 5363 (Answerphone)
BoxOffice@wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
Membership Enquiries Membership@wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

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