Gugu Mbatha-Raw will return to the London stage at the end of the summer, taking on the title role in Jessica Swale‘s historical bio-drama Nell Gwynn at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Christopher Luscombe will direct the new play, which is set in 1660 and charts the fortunes of the young woman raised in a brothel who became a celebrated stage actress and mistress to King Charles II. The production starts previews Sept. 19, with an official opening on Sept. 24. [more at source]
Rising star Gugu Mbatha-Raw is in the running for an Evening Standard Theatre Award for her performance as one of the West End’s most infamous actresses.
Her portrayal of Nell Gwynn, who rose from the 17th-century London stage to become the mistress of Charles II, sees her shortlisted for the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress.
Mbatha-Raw, 32, is recognised alongside Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman, who played pioneering scientist Rosalind Franklin in Photograph 51, Denise Gough for People, Places And Things and Lia Williams for Oresteia. [more at source]
I’ve update the site with Nell Gwynn’s performance and rehearsal pictures. Gugu looks amazing and the reviews are all praising her performance.
The rising screen star of ‘Belle’ and ‘Beyond the Lights’ will play the title role in ‘Nell Gwynn,’ about the 17th century brothel-keeper’s daughter who became the king’s mistress.