The award-winning comedy bringing theatre history to life at Shakespeare North this summer

Award-winning playwright Jessica Swale has spoken about the enduring power of Nell Gwynn ahead of the new productions show at Shakespeare North.

Best known for her Olivier Award-winning writing and recent success with Paddington: The Musical, Jessica describes Nell Gwynn as both a love letter to theatre and a rallying cry for representation.

Drawn to the story of one of Britain’s first actresses, Jessica was struck by how history had reduced Nell to a footnote. “She was primarily known as the King’s mistress,” Jessica explains, “but in reality, she was an extraordinary woman- an illiterate fish-seller, brough up in a brothel, who, through her wit, intelligence and confidence, rose from her lowly beginnings to become the most beloved actress on the English stage- a real life heroine and spokesperson for the masses.”

For Jessica, writing the play was an opportunity to “set the record straight” and celebrate a woman who helped change theatre forever. The moment women were first allowed on stage, she says, remains just as relevant today as it was in 1660.

Nell Gwynn — Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

She said:

“It was about celebrating the importance of storytelling and live theatre- and making sure the stories told there reflect the colourful diaspora of the audience. That diversity of voices is something theatre still needs to fight for today.”

More than a historical drama, Nell Gwynn captures the energy, chaos and joy of theatre itself, something Jessica feels passionately about.

She said:

“Theatre is so unique because it’s about what happens in the moment. A room full of people sharing a story, a communal experience where anything could happen- even with the same script over many nights, that one performance is unique and only exists so briefly- and that’s a sacred experience.”

Ten years on from writing the play, Jessica believes its themes feel even more urgent.
“The importance of allowing women a public voice, of being heard and valued, feels more relevant now than it did then,” she reflects.

At its heart, the play is a celebration of performance, of laughter, and of the people who refuse to stay in the background. “It’s full of music, jokes and heart,” Jessica says. “And it’s about the power of entertainment, not as something lesser, but as something vital.”

Jessica has described Nell Gwynn as a story driven by a desire to reclaim a remarkable woman’s legacy and celebrate the transformative power of theatre.

Speaking about the origins of the play, she explained:

“Nell hadn’t been given her due. She was an incredible figure, someone who came from nothing and yet reshaped what was possible for women on stage and in the wider community.”

Set against the backdrop of the Restoration, the play explores a pivotal moment in history, when theatres reopened and women were first permitted to perform publicly. For Jessica, that breakthrough resonates strongly today.

“The idea that not just one portion of society get to tell stories, that’s still something we’re striving for,” she says.

Blending romance, comedy and social commentary, Nell Gwynn celebrates both the magic of performance and the people behind it. “It’s about joy, connection and community,” Jessica adds. “And about the importance of telling stories that bring people together.”