My overall impression
Actress, Bella Merlin certainly enjoys herself portraying Nell Gwynne (1650 – 1687), one of history’s most engaging tarts. Fortunately, the audience is swept up in Merlin’s bravado performance from the moment she steps out on stage, rattling merrily on about her life’s journey that took her from poor country girl, to star of the London stage, and finally to the bed of England’s King. The historical period known as the “Restoration” in reference to the return of the monarchy in the person of King Charles II to England after the death of Oliver Cromwell was a fascinating time.
Merlin sings some bawdy ditties of the period, and chews a little scenery when talking about the roles Gwynne played, and touches on the devastating plague of 1665 and The Great London Fire of 1666. She even reads a section or two from the diaries of Samuel Pepys.
But this is not a history lesson, this is just fun.
Great fun at that.
This is one of the Fringe’s “Gold Medals”!!
(For my full review of the Fringe’s first week please go to The TVolutioncom)
