A solitary figure in a red coat sits in a pool of light beneath a narrow spotlight, surrounded by darkness and a throne-like chair.

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts2022

Nell Gwynn

The Production

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts’ 2022 student production of Jessica Swale’s Nell Gwynn formed part of the school’s 2021/22 public performance programme. The production staged Swale’s Restoration-era comedy about one of England’s first celebrated actresses for performances in March 2022.

45 photographs in the curated edit

Director: Steve Grihault
Musical Director: Tarek Merchant
Movement Director: Aline David
Lighting Design: Peter Harrison
Set Design: Alison Taylor
Costume Design: Alison Taylor
Sound Design: Olly Steel
Commissioned by: Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

An ensemble in period costumes fills the wooden thrust stage under chandeliers and warm light, with several arms raised in a celebratory tableau.

A veiled performer in green leans forward with a fan on a warmly lit stage, the wooden set receding into darkness.

Two performers sit on cloud-shaped seats beside a large shooting-star prop in amber haze.

A performer in a red brimmed hat throws both hands upward beneath painted cloud props and a starry backdrop.

A bewigged performer in an ornate orange coat leans in to kiss a woman in a cream dress under warm side light.

A wide angled view places a bewigged figure in the foreground while other performers wait across the wooden stage under beams of light.

A performer in a cream period dress lunges forward with a wide-mouthed expression and outstretched hands against a dark set.

A performer stands centre stage with head thrown back and arms open, framed by seated figures and the timber set.

A masked performer in a blue cloak leads a lively group forward along the stage, with warm lights glowing overhead.

A performer appears behind a blue starry screen beside a large cut-out shooting star, lit through haze as another figure stands below.

A blue-cloaked performer stands sternly downstage while two performers behind react with comic expressions.

A masked figure in a blue cloak stands at the centre of a clustered ensemble pose on the wooden stage.

Three performers huddle over a seated person in a blue cloak, their hands meeting in an intimate exchange.

A bewigged performer in a pale patterned coat gestures outward against a dark background and blue scenic panel.

A blue-cloaked performer holds a small mask at centre while another performer peeks playfully from behind a painted backdrop.

A performer in a blue cloak sweeps into motion beside a painted scenic panel as others react around the stage.

A wide view captures a lively dance, with one performer leaping at the edge of the group under bright stage lights.

The ensemble gathers around a central blue-cloaked performer in a raised, triumphant group pose.

Two performers sit close together on the floor in cool blue light, one resting against the other’s shoulder.

A blue-lit wide stage shows performers arranged around painted scenic cloths and an empty red chair.

A blue-cloaked performer stands downstage in smoky light while others sit and watch from the set behind.

A seated performer in a magenta coat and black wig looks out from the side as attendants stand behind in low light.

A translucent bird-like costume passes in the foreground while seated performers watch from behind.

A young woman in a pale blue dress holds up a hand mirror while another performer adjusts fabric behind her.

In cool blue light, a woman in a pale dress gestures sharply toward a seated figure in dark clothing.

A performer in a pale robe reads a paper beneath a blue-white spotlight and suspended haze.

A performer in a purple suit sits on an ornate gold throne while holding a woman close in an uneasy embrace.

A woman’s skirt flares as she turns in front of a seated performer on a gilded throne.

Two women clasp each other closely, one looking outward with an urgent open-mouthed expression.

A performer stands near a chest draped with blue fabric while others sit or watch across the timber stage.

A stern performer in a magenta coat faces a woman seen from behind in a tense close confrontation.

A smiling woman in a pale blue dress and veil raises a clenched fist against the dark stage.

A woman in a yellow dress is framed by a large pale parasol held behind her on the warmly lit stage.

A central performer dances joyfully as attendants behind her wave orange parasols.

A woman in a yellow and blue dress stands in cool light with an empty throne and a seated performer behind her.

A blue-lit wide stage places a woman downstage before an empty throne, with another performer high on the balcony.

A performer in a red robe and black wig sits rigidly on an ornate gold throne against a dark background.

A dark wide composition isolates a seated figure on a throne in a small pool of light, with another performer illuminated high above.

A woman in a yellow dress sits with her head bowed while another performer stands behind her in shadow.

Two women embrace tightly in a low pool of stage light against a dark set.

A woman stands with arms open at centre stage while two performers lie on the floor around her.

An ensemble dances around a central woman in a yellow dress, her skirt flying under warm overhead lights.

The ensemble lifts and surrounds a central performer in a final tableau beneath cool spotlights.

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