Sweet Nell of Old Drury

Sweet Nell of Old Drury is a play by Paul Kester (1870-1933)[1]

The original text

A play about the relationship between Nell Gwynne and King Charles II. First performed on stage in 1900 in London and New York, with Julia Neilson making a name for herself as "Nell" in the United Kingdom. The Australian actress, Nellie Stewart, also became a prominent "Nell", first appearing in the role in 1902, thence playing it on and off until her death in 1931.

Translations and adaptations

Turned into an Australian silent in 1911, directed by Raymond Longford and starring Nellie Stewart . It is based on the 1900 play of the same name by Paul Kester which Stewart had performed numerous times on stage

Performance history in South Africa

1901: According to D.C. Boonzaier's reminiscences (1923) it was performed by the Sass and Nelson Company in the Opera House, Cape Town, as part of a season of plays that commenced on 11 May.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kester

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Nell_of_Old_Drury

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.203-205

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