Written by April de Angelis
Directed by Jenny Stephens
By turns raucously funny and deeply poignant, the graduating students from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School present Playhouse Creatures, the incredible story of the first actresses on the British stage.
It’s 1663 and Charles II has returned to the throne after 17 years of Puritan suppression under Cromwell. It is a time of glittering opulence, decadence and excess – and one of Charles’s first acts is to re-open the playhouses.
For the first time, women are allowed on stage; the king and many others would come to see the newest beauties, often with the hope of taking one home. This joyous play brings historical characters to life; Mrs Betterton (wife of the actor manager), Elizabeth Barry and the brash youngster Nell Gwyn (orange-seller-come-actress) are among the characterful company.
Playhouse Creatures is brim full of theatrical vivacity and camaraderie as the women embrace their new found freedom.
But it comes at a price – comedy and tragedy collide as these female pioneers struggle for recognition, equality and a new real role for women.
Image: Toby Farrow
- RUNNING TIMEApprox. 2hrs 30mins (inc. interval)
- AGE RECOMMENDATION14+
- TICKETSFull £15 / Concession £10
- VENUEFactory Theatre
7.30pm / Matinees Thu 16 & Sat 2.30pm (No show Sun)
PRE-THEATRE MEAL DEAL (excludes matinees)
A pre-theatre dinner ticket for the ground floor Tobacco Factory Cafe Bar is available for all performances excluding matinees. Please see further details when you select ‘Buy Tickets’.
