With the world première of Howard Brenton’s Churchill in Moscow currently in rehearsals, Orange Tree Theatre (OT) have announced the full cast for the upcoming revival of April De Angelis’ Playhouse Creatures directed by Michael Oakley. Joining the previously announced Anna Chancellor (Mrs Betterton) are Zoe Brough (Nell Gwyn), Doña Croll (Doll Common), Katherine Kingsley (Mrs Marshall) and Nicole Sawyerr (Mrs Farley).
Playhouse Creatures opens on 21 March, with previews from 15 March and runs until 12 April before touring to Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford from 22 – 26 April and Theatre Royal Bath from 28 April – 3 May.

PLAYHOUSE CREATURES
By April De Angelis
15 March – 12 April 2025
Cast: Zoe Brough (Nell Gwyn), Anna Chancellor (Mrs Betterton), Doña Croll (Doll Common), Katherine Kingsley (Mrs Marshall), Nicole Sawyerr (Mrs Farley)
Director: Michael Oakley; Designer: Fotini Dimou; Lighting Designer: Elliot Griggs; Sound Designer and Composer: Max Pappenheim; Movement Director: Mandy Demetriou; Costume Supervisor: Male Arcucci; Casting Director: Annelie Powell CDG
I’m an actress. They’ve never had one of those before. I’m a novelty.
It’s the swinging (16)60s, and ‘the merry monarch’ Charles II is on the throne. After violent civil war, England’s theatres have finally reopened and, for the first time, women are allowed to perform in public.
In the West End, grande dame Mrs Betterton (Chancellor) rules the roost. But there’s a new face in town: an orange-seller with dreams of stardom.
From dressing-room camaraderie to bitter rivalry, April De Angelis’ gloriously exuberant, bawdily funny and deeply poignant play celebrates five women grabbing this newfound freedom and making their way in an unfamiliar world. But at what price?