Poster designed by Alison Helmer (Set and Costume Design 3, Winnipeg, MB)
Nell Gwynn
This play by Jessica Swale explores the life of Nell Gwynn, an eminent Restoration actress and mistress to King Charles II. With the Restoration period as its backdrop – which saw theatres reopening after an almost-two-decade-long ban in England and women were allowed to act on stage for the first time – the play delivers humour and a feminist perspective.
Krista Jackson directs the graduating students in Acting, Production Design and Technical Arts, and Set and Costume Design.
- February 24 to 29, 2020
- At Monument-National
- In English
- Pay What You Can
Poster design by Alison Helmer (Set and Costume Design 3, Winnipeg, MB)
Book your tickets!![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/nell-gwynn-poster-565x425.jpg)
About the Director
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/krista_jackson.png)
Krista Jackson is a director, dramaturge and the artistic director of zone41 theatre based in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 land. Directing credits include: Dancing at Lughnasa (The Shaw Festival - Wall Street Journal’s 2017 Best Revival of a Modern Play); Fly Me to the Moon, The Lion in Winter (The Grand Theatre). Numerous productions with Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre including: A Doll’s House, Part 2 (with Mirvish), a new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, The Seagull and Private Lives. As Associate Director: All My Sons (Stratford Festival). For zone41 she has premiered Awaken, The Miser of Middlegate, as well as new adaptations of Three Sisters and commissioned a rock opera of Richard the 2nd.
Upcoming: Liars at a Funeral (Blyth Festival) and Perfect Wedding (Thousand Islands Playhouse). Krista is also developing an adaptation of The Diviners with Vern Thiessen for Royal MTC. She holds the 2015 Stratford Festival Jean Gascon Guthrie Award and the 2013 Gina Wilkinson Prize.
About the title character
NTS history teacher Willow White writes about the astonishing life of the real-life historical figure behind the show's main character.
"The first English actresses emerged in Restoration-era London following Charles II’s decree that women’s parts must be played by women—a radical decision that overthrew England’s all-male theatrical tradition and provided women access to a new profession and form of artistic self-expression.
Nell Gwynn (c.1650-1687) was one of the first actresses to appear on the London stage."
Read more on the blog![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/Nell-Gwynn-historical-figure-565x425.jpg)
Team
Michael Bell A3
(North Saanich, BC)
Brynn Tyra Godenir A3
(Winnipeg, MB)
Todd Houseman A3
(Edmonton, AB)
Brontae Hunter A3
(Kincardine, ON)
Ray Jacildo A3
(Toronto, ON / Manila, Phillipines)
Patrick Forrest Jeffrey A3
(Long Creek, PEI)
Wahsonti:io Kirby A3
(Kahnawake, QC)
Sadie Laflamme-Snow A3
(Ottawa, ON)
Talijah Levene A3
(Toronto, ON)
Erin Loretta Mackey A3 - plays Nell Gwynn on February 24, 26 and 28.
(North River, NL)
Drew Moore A3
(Ottawa, ON)
Erika Prevost A3
(Montreal, QC)
Savion Roach A3
(Scarborough, ON)
Espoir Akati Segbeaya A3 - plays Nell Gwynn on February 25, 27 and 29.
(Nelson, BC)
Director
Krista Jackson
Assistant Director
Angelica SchwartzD2
(Winnipeg, MB)
Set Designer
Jawon KangSCD3
(Toronto, ON/ Seoul, S. Korea)
Costume Designer
Alison HelmerSCD3
(Winnipeg, MB)
Lighting Designer
Katherine KellnerPDTA3
(Toronto, ON)
Sound Designer
Michael WanlessPDTA3
(Calgary, AB)
Video Designer
Christian HoroszczakPDTA3
(Mississauga, ON)
Production Manager
Zach FedoraPDTA3
(Kingston, ON)
Technical Director
Patrick FitzsimmonsPDTA3
(Calgary, AB)
Assistant Technical Director
Brenda VacaPDTA2
(Tepoztlán, Mexico)
2nd Assistant Technical Director
Ava BishopPDTA2
(Calgary, AB)
Head Carpenter
Brendan AgnewPDTA2
(Vancouver, BC)
Stage Manager
Ryan WilcoxPDTA3
(Saint John, NB)
Assistant Stage Manager
Kaylie MacNeilPDTA1
(North Bay, ON)
Assistant Stage Manager
Mitch LabrossePDTA1
(Ottawa, ON)
Set/Prop Design Assistant
Mayumi Ide-BergeronPDTA2
(Montréal, QC)
Costume Design Assistant
Maryanna ChanSCD2
(Saskatoon, SK)
Head Electrician
Brianna UngerPDTA2
(Ajax, ON)
Lighting Assistant
Drew LyallPDTA1
(Kimberley, BC)
Head of Sound
Tiffany LedesmaPDTA2
(Toronto, ON)
Sound Assistant
Julian SmithPDTA1
(Norman's Cove, NF)
Head of Video
Caitlin FarleyPDTA2
(Wetaskiwin, AB)
Video Assistant
Wei Qing TanPDTA1
(Malaysia)
TD Assistant
Marshall KiddPDTA1
(Quispamsis, NB)
Flyperson
Aidan SparksPDTA1
(Salmon Arm, BC)
Production Management: Andrea Lundy, Technical Direction: Craig Putt, Set Design: Josée Bergeron-Proulx, Costume Design: Louise Jobin, Sound Design: Rob Denton, Lighting Design: Jason Hand, Projections Design: Cameron Davies, Stage Management: Maria Popoff
For this production, two actresses are playing the lead role on alternate nights of performance.
Erin Loretta Mackey A3 (North River, NL) plays Nell Gwynn on February 24, 26 and 28.
Espoir Akati Segbeaya A3 (Nelson, BC) plays Nell Gwynn on February 25, 27 and 29.
A Look Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scenes
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/95prc/NELL-GWYNN-poster-gallery-large.jpg)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/nell-gwynn-684x700.jpg)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/outdoor_nell_gwynn_jawon_kang.jpg)
An Outdoor Scene, dreamt by Jawon Kang
Set Design by Jawon Kang (Set and Costume Design 3, Toronto, ON/Seoul, S. Korea)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/ng_outdoor.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/dressing-room_jawon-kang_nell_gwynn_nts.jpg)
Dressing Room Scene, dreamt by Jawon Kang
Set Design by Jawon Kang (Set and Costume Design 3, Toronto, ON/Seoul, S. Korea)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/ng_dressing-room.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/_IMG_5672.jpg)
Model of the stage, dreamt by Jawon Kang
Set Design by Jawon Kang (Set and Costume Design 3, Toronto, ON/Seoul, S. Korea)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/maquette_nell-gwynn.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/conciliabule_close-1.png)
Tiffany Ledesma (Production Design and Technical Arts 2, Toronto, ON) and Kita Mendolia (Set and Costume Design, 2018) in discussion
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/conciliabule_close.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/drape_cut.png)
The making of drapes for Nell Gwynn
Set Design by Jawon Kang (Set and Costume Design 3, Toronto, ON/Seoul, S. Korea)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/drape_cut_close.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/IMG_6279_RET.jpg)
Kita Mendolia (Set and Costume Design, 2018) in conversation with Aidan Sparks (Production Design and Technical Arts 1, Salmon Arm, BC)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/discussion.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/_IMG_5798.jpg)
Jawon Kang (Set and Costume Design 3, Toronto, ON/Seoul, S. Korea), set designer, making one of the accessories.
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/ng_hANDS.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/sketch_costume_alison_helmer.jpg)
Costumes drawn by Alison Helmer
Costume Design by Alison Helmer (Set and Costume Design 3, Winnipeg, MB)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/nell_gwynn_costume_sketch.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/40prc/dress_alison_helmer_nell_gwynn.jpg)
Can you guess for which character this dress is for?
Costume Design by Alison Helmer (Set and Costume Design 3, Winnipeg, MB)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/ng_dress.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/costume_buttons_alison_helmer_nell_gwynn.jpg)
Golden buttons fit for the nobility
Costume Design by Alison Helmer (Set and Costume Design 3, Winnipeg, MB)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/ng_buttons.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/_IMG_5782.jpg)
An indiscrret peak into the characters' costumes
Costume Design by Alison Helmer (Set and Costume Design 3, Winnipeg, MB)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/ng_costumes.png)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/25prc/frill_collar_nell_gwynn_alison_helmer.jpg)
A frilly collar decorating a costume
Costume Design by Alison Helmer (Set and Costume Design 3, Winnipeg, MB)
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/ngh_collar.png)
Rehearsal with Erin Loretta Mackey (Acting 3, North River, NL) as Nell Gwynn/Old Ma Gwynn, Drew Moore (Acting 3, Ottawa, ON) as Charles Hart and Ray Jacildo (Acting 3, Toronto, ON) as Edward Kynaston.
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/erin_drew_ray_nell_gwynn.png)
Brontae Hunter (Acting 3, Kincardine, ON) as Nancy, Talijah Levene (Acting 3, Toronto, ON) as Thomas Killigrew, and Todd Houseman (Acting 3, Edmonton, AB) as John Dryden in rehearsal
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/brontae_talijah_todd_nell_gwynn.png)
In rehearsal: Drew Moore (Acting 3, Ottawa, ON) as Charles Hart and Ray Jacildo (Acting 3, Toronto, ON) as Edward Kynaston.
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/dres-ray_nell-gwynn.png)
Todd Houseman (Acting 3, Edmonton, AB) as John Dryden and Michael Bell (Acting 3, North Sanich, BC) in rehearsal
![](http://ent-nts.ca/c/ecolenationaletheatre/uploads/zva_bank_img.file/50prc/todd_michael_nell_gwynn.png)
Performances
- Opening 1: Monday, February 24 at 7:30pm - Nell Gwynn played by Erin Loretta Mackey
- Opening 2: Tuesday, February 25 at 7:30pm - Nell Gwynn played by Espoir Akati Segbeaya
- Wednesday, February 26 at 7:30pm - Nell Gwynn played by Erin Loretta Mackey
- Thursday, February 27 at 7:30pm - Nell Gwynn played by Espoir Akati Segbeaya
- Friday, February 28 at 7:30pm - Nell Gwynn played by Erin Loretta Mackey
- Saturday, February 29 at 3:00pm - Nell Gwynn played by Espoir Akati Segbeaya
Venue
Monument-National
Ludger-Duvernay Theatre
1182, St-Laurent Blvd.
Tickets
- Book your tickets through the box office of the Monument-National campus.
- We have a Pay What You Can policy! Make an online donation or deposit the amount of your choice in the identified boxes before the show.