The play opened with a messenger reading from a scroll. By Royal Command, the audience were forbidden the use of mobile phones. This set the tone for the production. You name it, this play ridiculed it.
Women were not allowed on the stage. Their roles were taken by men and boys. It was only in the reign of Charles II that this changed and the actors who had been sarcastic and unpleasant about Nell Gwynne ( played by Julie Cleasby) were forced to change their tune when they realised she not only attracted the hoi polloi to the theatre but also earned them royal patronage.
To say that Charles II (played by Roy Stevens) was a bit up himself would be an understatement. However, Nell Gwynne knew exactly how to bring him down to earth. He was not used to people who were not flattering him and that was the last thing she would do.
Credit must go to Martin Hoskins whose role of John Dryden ridiculed the writer's dependence on plagiarising Shakespeare and his inability to complete his work in time.
The fatal game of Pell Mell (a predecessor of Croquet), which put an end to the reign was depicted using mallets provided by Worthing Croquet Club. On his death bed, the king insisted, "Do not let poor Nelly starve."
The conclusion sees Nell return to the theatre and even take over the role of Dryden by writing an epilogue to the play.
It was a fun evening for all concerned.
