Shap Memorial hall was the venue for a performance of Pretty Witty Nell by Two Friends Productions. This was a one woman play about the life of Nell Gwyn written and performed by Caroline Harding.

With minimal props, and effective dummies serving as drunken extras, Miss Harding in her role as Nell struck a stunning figure in golden brocade with a glorious tumble of auburn curls. She chatters easily to the audience as she recalls the events of her life, from the gutters of Covent Garden and her time as an orange girl in the theatre; she was to become a popular actress and the mistress of Charles the Second. This was a period when women were allowed to go onto the stage for the first time.

Of the King she says; ‘The King may be your Charles II, but he’s Charles III to me – I had a couple of Charlies before him’.  Nell was the most popular of the King’s mistresses; not politically minded, she lived to have fun, people were entranced by her, and her life with the King lasted for 18 years. Nell survived the Plague and the Great Fire of London, she was written about by Samuel Pepys and Dryden wrote plays for her.  There are poignant moments too, like when she recalls the death of her second son. She also relates how Wren drew up plans for a hospital for old soldiers in the fields of Chelsea.

The play is set at the time when the King is on his deathbed, and creditors are at the door, she is selling off any valuables she has, and even the great silver bed is to be melted down.  Even as the bell tolls to mark the King’s end and the fists begin to pound on her door, she still sparkles, as she makes a hasty exit.  

 Following the performance Miss Harding came back on stage to talk about the background to the play, and how she carried out a year’s research, taken three weeks to learn her lines, and two weeks in rehearsal. The life of Nell Gwyn is very well documented, and the play is very accurate.  Nell did not die a pauper, the King’s last words were ‘Don’t’ let poor Nellie starve’, she was bailed out by the King’s son; she has direct descendants through her elder son, in the Dukes of St Albans.  Miss Harding said that the great silver bed did really exist; it would have been as ostentatious as some things that are manufactured for celebrities today.

The event formed part of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme and was hosted by the P.C.C. of St Michael’s Church who provided refreshments