Corrie‘s Gascoyne directs Pretty Witty Nell

Following the successful spring and autumn tours of 2008, Two Friends Productions bring Pretty Witty Nell to The Lowry, Salford on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th June 2009.

The play is an original one-woman comedy/drama about the life of Nell Gwyn – the most popular mistress of Charles II – written and performed by Caroline Harding and directed by Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow in Coronation Street).

With the King on his death bed, and creditors knocking on her door, Nell recalls her radiant life. Born in the gutters of Covent Garden, by sheer force of wit and charm, she became the most glittering actress, and best loved character, of her day. Surviving the Plague and the Great Fire (but not quite the Pox), Pepys adored her, and Dryden wrote plays for her. The people were entranced by her. Nell Gwyn’s life with Charles lasted for 18 turbulent years. The king’s last words were of her.

Caroline Harding’s work includes: Frankie and Johnnie in the Claire de Lune (Bolton), The Real Thing (Library Manchester) and  Death of a Salesman (Bolton).

Two Friends Productions was founded in 2000 by Harding and Candida Gubbins – actresses who met way back in the mists of time at the Royal Shakespeare Company.  Postcards from Maupassant – their first production – enjoyed success for two years. It was first staged at the Edinburgh Festival in 2001. Subsequently the show enjoyed a sell out tour UK tour; a three week run at the Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington (where it received 4 stars and Critics Choice in The Times); a trip to Bucharest; a special performance at the Arts Theatre, London; and an invitation to the Brits off Broadway season in New York. 

Their production, Two Sisters was first performed at the Buxton Festival in 2006, and subsequently at the 24/7 Theatre Festival, Manchester, where it was nominated for two Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards.  (Best Play and Best Performance).