Set in 1660, when the theatres were finally reopened by the newly-appointed Charles II, the play hones in on the role of women in early modern theatre. Prior to the Reformation, female roles were played almost exclusively by men, but while the world of theatre was now open to women, most found themselves seen as little more than whores.
This bawdy production at the ADC peeps into the backstage lives, loves and rivalries of the actresses of the time, including Nell Gwyn, Mary Betterton and Rebecca Marshall: pioneering women struggling to be taken seriously as artists, but knowing all the while that they were never all that far from the gutter.
It runs from 15-19 July, 7.45pm (and 2.30pm Sat). Tickets £7-£10.
