Nell Gwynn Tickets
12+ Contains scenes of a sexual nature
Performance dates
4 February to 30 April 2016
Run time 2 hours 35 minutes including one interval
Includes interval
Top Rated Show
Reviewers highly rate this show
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"They've disgraced our trade. Ruined our art. They've put a woman on the stage."
It is 1660. The Puritans have run away with their drab grey tails between their legs. Charles II has exploded on to the scene with a love of all things loud, French and sexy. At Drury Lane, a young Nell Gwynn is selling oranges for sixpence. Little does she know who's watching...
Soon afterwards Nell Gwynn was to become one of the first female actresses in London, a long-term mistress of King Charles II and one of the main points of interest in Samuel Pepys's diaries.
During one of the most turbulet periods of the history of England, with the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London both taking place within a year, most public places were shut, including theatres. Nobody knew their Golden Era was only round the corner....
Award winning Gemma Arterton (The Duchess of Malfi, Made in Dagenham, Quantum of Solace) stars as cheeky, charming and clever Nell Gwynn, one of the first and most acclaimed women to appear on the London stage. Jessica Swale's blissfully entertaining comedy celebrates an unlikely heroine, who went from lowly orange seller to win the adoration of the public and the heart of the King.
Following a critically acclaimed and sell-out limited season of 11 performances at Shakespeare's Globe, don't miss this opportunity to see Nell Gwynn in the West End.
★★★★ ‘A delight, silly and serious....full of crowd pleasers, lilting music and sumptuous costumes....there is even a dog.’ The Times
★★★★ ‘Falls between Restoration comedy, My Fair Lady, Carry On films and Blackadder.’ Daily Mail
★★★★ 'ribald, buzzy and thoroughly cheering’ Daily Telegraph
★★★★ ‘Bawdy, playful, highly entertaining.’ The Observer
★★★★ ‘The rollicking tale of a woman who changed history’ Time Out
★★★★ 'a delightful, joyous evening' Financial Times
Special notes
Recommended age for content 12+: contains scenes of a sexual nature.
Recent Reviews
Really fantastic theatre. A little, but only a little bawdy humour. Great, great fun and enjoyed by all of the group
A very impressive performance from all the actors involved in this comedy drama. Gemma Arterton is talented and gorgeous in the role of Nell.
It was amazing and so refreshing! Miss Arterton and her wonderful castmates made us smile, cry a bit and laugh a lot! It was marvelous (so much that I saw it twice)!
Last night of the show. So lucky to have been able to see it. What can I say? 5 star show!
Really funny, visually sumptuous and Gemma Areteton glowed.
Absolutely fantastic from the opening music to final curtain it was excellent . Just wish I had come sooner so I could see it again.
A lively evening, providing rollicking good fun, made for a great night out!
An extremely funny, exciting play with great acting and comedy. I would highly recommend it.
An amazing performance from all the cast! I just wanted to jump off my chair and join the singing and dancing on stage. Couldn't hide my huge smile that night, and I enjoyed every single minute. Shame the play is finished but I hope it will be back one day as I would love to see it again. What a happy evening I had.
Absolutely marvelous. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
I thought it was very enjoyable and entertaining. I am biased as it's also my favourite period in history but they show also lived up to my expectations as well
Really enjoyable night out
Latest Nell Gwynn News

Awards / Features
Olivier Awards 2016 – A Very Biased Overview
The Oliver Awards, 2016. What a night! Whilst I could be objective, fair and diplomatic about the awards, I have decided instead to be openly biased. So, here is my very biased overview of the Oliver Awards 2016 (all in order of personal interest).
4 Apr, 2016 | By Harriet Wilson

Features
Nell Gwynn At The Apollo Theatre: A Triumphant Return For Gemma Arterton
In the 17th century, when King Charles II came to the throne in 1660, the Restoration period is one of great interest in terms of the development of theatre. Not only was this a time where women were first allowed onto the English stage but it is also a time when then monarch had a huge interest in the theatre and what (and who) he saw there.
25 Feb, 2016 | By Harrison Fuller

Reviews / Features
Review: Nell Gwynn Exceeds The Highest Of Expectations
Nell Gwynn, currently playing at the Apollo Theatre, is a flawless show full of life, energy and fun. Having seen a couple of Jessica Swale's previous productions at the Watermill Theatre (Newbury), I had high expectations of Nell Gwynn – and the production exceed these expectations by far.
23 Feb, 2016 | By Harriet Wilson

Reviews / Features
Review: Nell Gwynn Starring Gemma Arterton
Three and a half centuries ago, Nell Gwynn was entertaining crowds with her tremendous wit and stage presence. Today, Gemma Arterton is doing exactly the same thing, while portraying one of the first actresses ever to take to a British stage.
19 Feb, 2016 | By Harriet Hards

Reviews / Features
Review: Nell Gwynn Starring Gemma Arterton At The Apollo Theatre
I went to see Nell Gwynn at the Apollo Theatre with hardly any prior knowledge, I was just keen to explore something new and witness Gemma Arterton in a new West End role. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised at this light-hearted, witty and punchy play.
15 Feb, 2016 | By Molly Richardson
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