GROSVENOR PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE, CHESTER – UNTIL SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2026
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
After what felt like the longest heatwave, the cooler evening at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre was a welcome relief. There really is something magical about this venue on a summer’s evening. Audiences relaxed beneath the trees with wood-fired pizzas, glasses of prosecco and the unmistakable buzz that only live theatre can create. It was the perfect setting for Jessica Swale’s Nell Gwynn.
I’ll admit I knew very little about the play before arriving, but I quickly discovered a witty, heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining production. Blending historical drama, romantic comedy and backstage farce, Nell Gwynn tells the remarkable story of one of England’s first actresses. If Bridgerton, Shakespeare in Love and a mischievous episode of Horrible Histories had a theatrical love child, this would be it.
The story follows Nell, an orange seller whose sharp wit and natural charisma unexpectedly launch her onto the stage just as women are finally being allowed to perform in English theatres. What follows is a joyous mix of backstage chaos, royal romance and clever comedy, while also celebrating a woman determined to forge her own path in a male-dominated world.
The production never loses its pace, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with genuine warmth and emotion. Jessica Swale’s script is packed with witty dialogue, but also shines a light on an important moment in theatre history without ever feeling like a history lesson.
The entire cast is exceptional, but Guy Woolf is the undeniable standout as King Charles II. Rather than portraying him as a stern monarch, Woolf gives us a king full of charm, humour and irresistible swagger. His cheeky grin, effortless comic timing and natural charisma make every scene sparkle. He perfectly captures a man who seems just as interested in enjoying life as he is in ruling a kingdom, making it easy to understand why everyone around him is captivated.
Stanton Wright is equally memorable as Edward Kynaston, the celebrated actor horrified by the arrival of women on the stage. His outrage at the changing times is comedy at its finest. Every dramatic sigh, flamboyant flourish and exaggerated tantrum is delivered with impeccable timing, creating a wonderfully pompous character whose oversized ego provides some of the evening’s biggest laughs. Wright throws himself into the role with infectious enthusiasm, making Kynaston’s spectacular meltdowns utterly irresistible.
The wonderful combination of period music and beautifully detailed costumes perfectly captures the spirit of Restoration England, immersing the audience in a world that feels vibrant, colourful and wonderfully alive.
Nell Gwynn is funny, charming, romantic and surprisingly moving. It’s a celebration of theatre itself and of a remarkable woman who helped change it forever. Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre has once again delivered a wonderfully entertaining evening under the stars that leaves audiences laughing, smiling and wanting more.