The Company of Ten is bringing bawdy historical comedy Nell Gwynn to the Abbey Theatre in St Albans.

First staged in 2015 at Shakespeare's Globe, the Olivier-award winning play by Jessica Swales tells the story of Nell Gwynn - an orange seller who became an actress and then the mistress of King Charles II.

The Company of Ten is bringing bawdy historical comedy Nell Gwynn to the Abbey Theatre in St Albans. First staged in 2015 at Shakespeare's Globe, the Olivier-award winning play by Jessica Swales tells the story of Nell Gwynn - an orange seller who became an actress and then the mistress of King Charles II. The play explores how Nell, a woman of humble origin, rose to fame as one of the first female actors in a male-dominated profession. Performances take place Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9 at 8pm, at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 10 and at 8pm from Tuesday, November 12 to Saturday, November 16. Tickets are available from www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01727 857861. The play, which features an ensemble cast, period costumes and a performance from real spaniel Lula, celebrates 90 years of the Company of Ten performing live theatre in St Albans. Nell Gwynn is directed by Elena Markham and Tim Hoyle. Elena said: It's a familiar story of a brave and brilliant woman trying to make her way in a world ruled by men, although it is thanks to Charles II that we have theatre today, let alone one in which women are allowed to perform!Nell Gwynn at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans (Image: Jon Schick) The play explores how Nell, a woman of humble origin, rose to fame as one of the first female actors in a male-dominated profession.

Performances take place Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9 at 8pm, at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 10 and at 8pm from Tuesday, November 12 to Saturday, November 16.

Tickets are available from www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01727 857861.

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The play, which features an ensemble cast, period costumes and a performance from real spaniel Lula, celebrates 90 years of the Company of Ten.

Nell Gwynn is directed by Elena Markham and Tim Hoyle, with Nell played by Rachel Maloy.

Elena said: "It's a familiar story of a brave and brilliant woman trying to make her way in a world ruled by men, although it is thanks to Charles II that we have theatre today, let alone one in which women are allowed to perform!"