Maggy Franklin

CASTLE HILL PLAYERS PRESENT ‘NELL GWYNN’

Castle Hill Players final production for their 2019 season is NELL GWYNN and like all their other shows this year, is a delight for the audience. It is a joyous, slightly bawdy historical romp through Drury Lane Theatre London and Whitehall Palace from 1664-1685 during the reign of King Charles II.    Written by Jessica Swale we are presented with the story of former prostitute and orange seller Nell Gwynn as she takes to the stage and gains the attention of the monarch to become one of his many mistresses.                         

Tiffany Hoy is excellent in the role of the confident, audacious girl not afraid to go after what she wants and fight to keep a place on stage which had previously been forbidden to women. She is a match for any man. Her clear tuneful voice suits the songs, some with fun double meanings, and adds much comedy to the show. She sings “Ï can dance, I can sing, I can do the other thing.”

There are fine performances across this large and enthusiastic cast. Murray Fane plays Thomas Killigrew who valiantly attempts to run and keep together the company of players despite many obstacles, Dan Ferris is the handsome leading man Charles Hart who first recognised Nell’s talent and Richard Littlehales is the leading “lady” and not happy when sidelined by a real lady. Jason Spindlow plays John Dryden the struggling playwright, Dan Byron is Ned Spiggett one of the company’s actors and Marilyn Parsons is Nancy who is forced into the role of female lead despite her protestations. Kimberlea Smith is Nell’s sister Rose who reminds us of Nell’s background and the ever present poverty of the lower class.

Paul Sztelma plays the role of King Charles II with great charm as he attempts to capture various women. Michelle Masefield is his unlucky Portuguese wife Queen Catherine and Madelaine Dart plays Lady Castlemaine one of his string of mistresses.  Stephen Snars plays Lord Arlington, the King’s chief minister always trying to keep in the King’s favour as the winds of politics change.

The rest of the ensemble add colour and context to the play particularly with the lavish costumes and wigs which are definitely a highlight of the production.

The original music played on various instruments by Geoff Jones, George Trippis and Murray Fane adds another dimension with the ensemble voices blending well and adding background and depth to life at the court and theatre.

Directed by Jennifer Wilson this play views Nell through a modern lens. She becomes almost a feminist icon in a thoroughly engaging piece. For a highly entertaining night don’t miss Nelly Gwynn playing at The Pavilion Theatre, Castle Hill Showground until  7th  December  2019.

 

 

Published by Maggy Franklin

Maggy Franklin has been involved in theatre and musical theatre in Sydney for many years. She has a teaching diploma in Speech and Drama, has attended Darlo Drama classes, acted and directed in Crash Test Drama, directed at Short and Sweet Sydney, is a regular judge at Short and Sweet and has directed in the Sydney Fringe Festival. She runs the large internet based social theatre group Theatre Time Sydney which organises groups to attend and support independent theatre. An ex-high school teacher, she works in aged care, plays tennis, gets to the cinema whenever possible, and is a Lifeline volunteer. She believes one can never go to too much theatre, and there is always something to be experienced at every production.