Orange Tree Theatre: Playhouse Creatures
15 Mar – 12 Apr
In Playhouse Creatures, it’s the marvellous swinging (16)60s and after England’s latest violent civil war, ‘the merry monarch’, Charles II, is allowing women to perform on stage for the first time. The brilliant Anna Chancellor is the grande dame, Mrs Betterton, who rules the West End, but there’s a new actress in town (April De Angelis) – will the camaraderie behind stage turn into rivalry? This bawdy but poignant play celebrates women’s newfound freedom on stage – but it comes at a cost.
Before the reign of Charles II (1660–1685), women were banned from performing on the English stage, with men playing female roles. This changed with the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, when Charles II, influenced by French theatre traditions, allowed women to act professionally for the first time.
In 1661, Margaret Hughes became the first recorded actress to perform on an English stage, playing Desdemona in Othello. Actresses like Nell Gwyn and Elizabeth Barry soon became celebrated stars, bringing a new realism and expressiveness to female roles. The introduction of women to the stage led to the development of stronger, more complex female characters and transformed English theatre.
Despite this progress, early actresses faced challenges, including social stigma and limited opportunities. However, their presence marked a turning point in theatre history, paving the way for future generations of women in acting and the performing arts.
Orange Tree Theatre. Tickets £15 – £56. orangetreetheatre.co.uk
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