Jessica Swale News

Behold the year of the woman: 1665. Folger Theatre continues its 2018/19 season of characters who "shake the world" with Nell Gwynn, the Olivier Award-winning 2016 comedy from London about one of the first women to perform on the English stage.

What a bizarre year 2018 has been. In the months that saw too much Trump, devastating Californian wildfires, an escalation in the refugee crisis, not to mention the dreaded 'B' word, it makes me more grateful than ever for the pure escapism that live theatre so often provides.

The Acting Company announces its 2019 Season, which will feature Native Son, by Nambi E. Kelley, adapted from the novel by Richard Wright and directed by Seret Scott playing in rotating repertory with William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure directed Janet Zarish.

A performance by final year BA (Hons) Acting and BA (Hons) Actor Musicianship students from Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance has raised over £550 for the Mayor of Bexley's charity appeal.

Folger Theatre today announced the world premiere of Confection, an immersive theater piece imagined and performed by New York's acclaimed theater company, Third Rail Projects. Confection is conceived and written by Zach Morris, directed and choreographed by Zach Morris, with Tom Pearson and Jennine Willett, and created in collaboration with the company. The commission of Confection by Folger Theatre is in association with Before 'Farm to Table': Early Modern Foodways and Cultures, a Mellon initiative in collaborative research, convened by the Folger Institute.

Atlanta's Synchronicity Theatre opens its 21st Season with Jessica Swale's NELL GWYNN, a comedy based on the true story of an orange vendor who becomes one of the most celebrated actresses in 17th Century London - and King Charles II's mistress. The play follows Nell from rags to riches, as she transforms from a bawdy orange seller on the street to a revered actress, who was ahead of her time during an era where it was a novelty to see women grace the stage. Accompanied by friends, theatre colleagues, and her lover the King, Nell finds herself ascending to high society while trying to forget her meager background. The cast includes Courtney Moors as Nell, Eugene H. Russell as Charles Hart, Robert Shaw-Smith as King Charles accompanied by a talented ensemble.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

To kick off its 55th Season, Orange County's Tony Award-winning regional theater South Coast Repertory is presenting a charming new stage adaptation of the Jane Austen literary classic SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, which continues performances in Costa Mesa through September 29. In tone, pacing, and casting, SCR's fresh if still lengthy adaptation of the 1811 novel is lovingly fluffy and buoyant, yet achingly relatable and grounded-just the sort of expectation one gets from a reverent adaptation of a work from one of literature's most revered female voices.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Southern California audiences will be able to get lost in Jane Austen's elegant, Regency era romantic classic, Sense and Sensibility, next month. The production opens South Coast Repertory's 55th season. British playwright Jessica Swale adapted Austen's story and the show is directed by Casey Stangl on the Segerstrom Stage, Sept. 1-29.

It's 1910 and spoilt, lonely Mary Lennox lives a life of luxury in India with her aristocratic parents. But when an unexpected twist of fate suddenly leaves her orphaned, she is sent to live with an unknown uncle in Misselthwaite Manor - a mysterious place - on the wild Yorkshire Moors. With the help of some unexpected friends, Mary sets about discovering the legend of its secret garden.

Brilliantly bawdy and incredibly clever, Jessica Swale's Laurence Olivier Award winning comedy (2016) NELL GWYNN is presented by Deborah Jones (Director) and New Theatre in a wonderfully presented expression of this surprisingly true story. 

Southern California audiences will be able to get lost in Jane Austen's elegant, Regency era romantic classic, Sense and Sensibility, next month. The production opens South Coast Repertory's 55th season. British playwright Jessica Swale adapted Austen's story and the show is directed by Casey Stangl on the Segerstrom Stage, Sept. 1-29.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical has announced new casting with Hayden Tee playing Miss Trunchbull alongside Rob Compton and Holly Dale Spencer as Mr and Mrs Wormwood. Gina Beck will continue to play Miss Honey, having joined the company in September 2017. Isobel Hubble and Francesca McKeown will join Sarah Munday and Olivia Wells in sharing the title role of Matilda. The multi award-winning production is currently playing its seventh year in the West End and is booking until 20 October 2019.

London, 1660. King Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things loud, extravagant and sexy. And at Drury Lane, a young Nell Gwynn is causing stirrings amongst the theatregoers.

Atlanta's Synchronicity Theatre will open its 21st Season with Jessica Swale's Nell Gwynn, a comedy based on the true story of an orange vendor who becomes one of the most celebrated actresses in 17th Century London - and King Charles II's mistress. Performances run from September 27 to October 21, 2018. For tickets or more information, please visit synchrotheatre.com or call 404-484-8636.

It's 1910 and spoilt, lonely Mary Lennox lives a life of luxury in India with her aristocratic parents. But when an unexpected twist of fate suddenly leaves her orphaned, she is sent to live with an unknown uncle in Misselthwaite Manor - a mysterious place - on the wild Yorkshire Moors. With the help of some unexpected friends, Mary sets about discovering the legend of its secret garden.

Shakespeare's Globe has announced full casting for Nick Bagnall's Love's Labour's Lost, opening in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse on Thursday 23 August.

London, 1660. King Charles II has exploded onto the scene with a love of all things loud, extravagant and sexy. And at Drury Lane, a young Nell Gwynn is causing stirrings amongst the theatregoers.