27th February 2025
PRESS & MEDIA PACK:
PLAYBOX THEATRE PRESENTS A SEASON OF RESTORATION THEATRE
Playhouse Creatures by April De Angelis & The Country Wife by William Wycherley
March 20th – The Dream Factory, Warwick
PRESS RELEASE: A DAZZLING CELEBRATION OF RESTORATION THEATRE AT PLAYBOX THEATRE
Playbox Theatre is thrilled to announce an exciting theatrical event—A Restoration Theatre Season—presenting two outstanding plays in repertoire: Playhouse Creatures by April De Angelis and The Country Wife by William Wycherley. This captivating season opens on March 20th at The Dream Factory, Warwick.
A Season of Scandal, Wit & Daring Women Restoration Theatre was an era of sumptuous spectacle, razor-sharp wit, and daring social commentary. In this double bill, Playbox Theatre invites audiences to immerse themselves in the opulence and intrigue of the 17th century.
Playhouse Creatures explores the behind-the-scenes world of the first actresses to take to the English stage—women who defied convention and scandalised society to claim their place in history. It is a powerful, moving, and often hilarious glimpse into the lives of these pioneering performers.
Meanwhile, The Country Wife, one of the most infamous comedies of its time, was banned for nearly 200 years due to its provocative plot. Full of deception, disguise, and outrageous sexual intrigue, Wycherley’s play remains one of the most brilliantly entertaining pieces in the English repertoire.
A Theatre of Memory – A Spectacular Production Concept This season will be performed in a uniquely evocative setting—a ‘theatre of memory’ that recalls the grandeur of Restoration playhouses long since lost. Candlelit chandeliers, exquisite period designs, and a rich visual world conjure the dazzling playhouses of the past. Lavish Restoration costumes, elaborate wigs, and opulent fashions complete the picture, immersing audiences in a world of excess, beauty, and theatricality.
Playbox Theatre’s Restoration season offers an unmissable experience—a chance to rediscover the wit, seduction, and rebellion of an era that changed theatre forever.
BOOK NOW! Performances begin March 20th at The Dream Factory, Warwick. For tickets and further details, visit www.playboxtheatre.com.
PRESS RELEASE: RESTORATION THEATRE – A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Restoration Theatre (1660–1710) was a period of radical transformation in British drama. After the puritanical ban on theatre during the English Civil War, Charles II’s return to the throne in 1660 heralded a new golden age of performance. Theatres reopened, and for the first time, women were allowed to perform professionally on stage. This era saw the rise of the first female stars, dazzling audiences with their artistry and independence.
Restoration comedies, like The Country Wife, were known for their sharp wit, risqué humour, and satirical critiques of society. Playwrights such as Wycherley, Congreve, and Etherege crafted stories of seduction, deception, and power struggles among the aristocracy. These plays remain some of the most entertaining and sophisticated works in the history of theatre.
Meanwhile, the first actresses—immortalised in Playhouse Creatures—faced scandal, fame, and the struggle for artistic legitimacy. Women like Nell Gwynn, Elizabeth Barry, and Anne Bracegirdle captivated audiences and carved a place in history, both on and off the stage.
Playbox Theatre’s Restoration Season recreates the extravagant spirit of this period through an immersive and visually stunning theatrical experience.
Join us for this unique celebration of the past—where scandal, wit, and spectacle come alive once more!
For press enquiries, interviews, rehearsal photos, or further information, please contact: Emily Quash 01926 419555
Performances begin March 20th at The Dream Factory, Warwick. Visit www.playboxtheatre.com for tickets and full details.
