A major new production opens at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this evening (21 August).

Jessica Swale's Olivier Award-winning play, Nell Gwynn, follows the true story of one of Britain's first and most famous actresses. From selling oranges in the theatre pit to becoming the mistress of King Charles II, Nell Gwynn charts the rise of a woman who broke barriers on the English stage.

Packed with music, humour and historical characters, the production promises a bold and energetic retelling of the story.

Actor Rose Shalloo takes on the title role, joined by Adam Clifford, Celia Cruwys-Finnegan, Tamsin Dowsett, Elliot Harper, Burhan Kathawala, Sufia Manya, Jamie Ross, Guy Woolf and Stanton Wright.

Playwright Jessica Swale said: "It's so exciting to see Nell Gwynn brought to life again, especially by Theatre by the Lake.

"At its heart, it's about who gets to tell stories and whose voices are heard and that feels just as urgent now as it did then."

The new staging is directed by Bryony Shanahan, whose previous work includes Bloody Elle, Let the Right One In and No Pay No Way!.

"When I first read the script for Nell Gwynn, it jumped to life right off the page," she said. "It demands to be told, to take up space, to be loud, to be funny, to be moving.

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"At the heart of the story is Nell, and her story of radical change - whilst never forgetting your roots - drives us through the action. We see her step into a space she was never 'supposed' to occupy and transform it completely."

You can find tickets and more here.