THIS play is set in 1663, as actresses were first being introduced to the stage and each of the five characters has a story to tell.

It is opened by Doll Common (Patricia Brewer) who I found a little heard to understand as the lighting did not allow us to see her face clearly and the accent got in the way, however as the play progressed she came into her own and clearly has a sound grasp of comic timing.

Lucinda Davidson as Nell Gwynn was excellent as her character progressed from the common to the sophisticated and catching the eye of Charles II she reaps her rewards, ‘a whole house and a park!’ I found myself watching her face as every nuance was etched on it.

Linda Denning as Mrs Betterton moved the whole audience with her speech from Macbeth as her character deteriorates. Beth Harris and Clare Rhodes caught the atmosphere of the times extremely well.

The set was necessarily sparse as it is touring but was ingenious and certainly set the backstage and front of house well. I have no words for the costumes as they were simply superb.