Overview
King Charles 2nd lies ill, Nell Gwyn, his royal whore, once the
brightest star of the Restoration theatre, rages against her fate. What
will become of her if Charles is summoned to his Maker? What perils will
befall the English nation? Mistress Gwyn and Margery, her maid, lead us
a merry dance, filled with their laughter, their tears, and Nell's
enchanting songs of the Baroque: A rollicking romp which ends with a
sting in its tail. Eleanor 'Nell' Gwyn (2 February 1650 - 14 November
1687) was a long-time mistress of King Charles II of England and
Scotland. Called 'pretty, witty Nell' by Samuel Pepys, she has been
regarded as a living embodiment of the spirit of Restoration England and
has come to be considered a folk heroine, with a story echoing the
rags-to-royalty tale of Cinderella. She was the most famous Restoration
actress and possessed a prodigious comic talent. Gwyn had two sons by
King Charles: Charles Beauclerk (1670-1726); and James Beauclerk
(1671-1680). The surname of her sons is pronounced 'Bo-Clare'. Charles
was created Earl of Burford and later Duke of St. Albans.