Nell Gwynn | Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Written by Jessica Swale and directed by Bryony Shanahan, Storyhouse, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Theatre by the Lake's co-production of Nell Gwynn concludes this year's summer outdoor theatre season at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. And what a season it's been; from the action packed Outlaw: A Robin Hood Story, the family friendly Peter Pan, to the joyous and infectious Let the Sunshine, Nell Gwynn makes its mark with its raucous yet life-affirming rags to riches story.

The story takes us back to London, 1660, where we see the remarkable rise of Nell Gwynn, an ordinary orange seller from Coal Yard Alley. When her sharp wit and outspoken nature captures the attention of actor Charles Hart, he recognises her natural talent and trains her for the stage at the cusp of women being finally permitted to perform professionally on stage. Nell joins the acting company and quickly makes an impression in a male-dominated theatrical world, capturing the attention of King Charles II who becomes enthralled by her, propelling Nell from the theatre company into the glamourous yet dangerous world of the Royal Court. This brings a range of complications; fighting for the king's attention with other women in Charles' life, facing opposition from powerful figures in court, family breakdowns and trying to discover her place in the world.

At its heart, Nell Gwynn is more than a love story; it's a captivating account of women's rights and the expectations placed upon women of that period. Brought to the stage with captivating performances, beautifully designed costumes, plenty of wit and fun musical interludes, Nell Gwynn is a wonderful final installment to an incredible season of outdoor theatre in the heart of Chester.

Rose Shalloo commands the stage as Nell, she wins over the audience instantaneously as the show opens with her bantering with a heckler at the theatre. However, Shalloo's performance is anything but one-dimensional, taking audiences through a journey that sees her go through all the emotions with an utterly commanding stage presence. There is an undeniable chemistry between Shalloo and Guy Woolf as King Charles II. Woolf impresses in his natural ability to balance his more playful and flirtatious side with his vulnerability of a man in a position of power.

Shalloo also impresses in her chemistry with Elliot Harper as Charles. Harper's performance is undeniably passionate and charming, providing an engaging and emotional thread beneath the play's riotous comedy and serving as a reminder of people and relationships that are left behind to achieve one's hopes and aspirations.

Stanton Wright gives the performance of the evening in his portrayal of Edward Kynaston; a hilarious and over-the-top primadonna who still firmly believes that a woman's role should be played by a man. Wright's dramatic and over-emotional turn as Edward provides plenty of moments of comedy and he becomes a captivating performer as we watch for his hilarious moments of physicality. Celia Cruwys-Finnegan does a wonderful job in her multi-rolling of Rose Gwynn, Lady Castlemaine and Louise de Keroualle, giving each role distinctive characteristics.

Jamie Ross does a wonderful job as the bumbling John Dryden, a writer who is on the edge of creating his best work yet and Adam Clifford gives a powerful performance as the corrupt and scheming Lord Arlington, as well as the struggling theatre company leader. Burhan Kathawala and Sufia Manya compliment the cast wonderfully, with Kathawala bringing infectious comedic energy to Ned Spigget and Manya demonstrating impressive versatility between Nancy, Queen Catherine and Ma; both contributing to the sense of a theatrical troupe where each person has a role to play in bringing the theatrical world to life.

Whilst Nell Gwynn takes more of a straight approach in its delivery, Shanahan's direction ensures that the production embraces the bawdy humour and allows the comedy to land naturally whilst never losing sight of the more poignant moments in Nell's life. The direction makes excellent use of the in-the-round setting, immersing audiences and inviting the into the chaotic word of Restoration theatre. Swale's writing is undoubtedly strong too, bringing much food for thought of the lives that these women would have experienced whilst also ensuring that Nell remains an empowering and strong woman.

Jess Curtis' costume design is particularly impressive, with an endless variety of wigs and colourful dresses setting the story in its time period. Whilst the set design is more minimalistic than previously seen at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, thankfully the commanding stage presence of the cast and Mark Distin Webster's striking lighting design ensures that the production never loses the audience's focus. Webster's lighting establishes clear shifts in the different locations and moods, moving from the warm rich tones in the lively bustling world of theatre to the dark and melancholy blues and dark tones during the more poignant moments of the shows. As darkness falls over Grosvenor Park, Webster's lighting design is simply breathtaking.

Pete Malkin's sound design is effective in immersing the audience; the sound effects of a lively theatre playing before the show begins brings depth and ensures that the story feels lived in. Candida Caldicott's composition and musical direction allows for exuberant music and songs performed by the multi-talented actor-musicians; an element that is a consistent crowd pleaser at Grosvenor Park. Sundeep Saini's movement direction ensures that the play never loses momentum with playful and infectious physical comedy.

With the infectious and vibrant theatricality and humour balanced with heartfelt and passionate writing, direction and performances, Nell Gwynn proves to be a necessary celebration of a woman who refused to be confined by the expectations of her time. Beneath all the laughter, playful mischief and lively musicality lies a story of ambition and resilience, and is undoubtedly a story that deserves to be told.

Nell Gwynn plays at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre until Sunday 6th September - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Mark McNulty