St Faith's Players to Tell the Story of King Charles' Mistress


Group's next production is Jessica Swale's comedy Nell Gwynne


The award winning play is to be performed at Brentford School for Girls. Picture: The St. Faith's Players

April 30, 2026

Brentford audiences are in for a lively dose of Restoration wit this spring as the St Faith's Players return to the stage with its latest production, Nell Gwynn.

The award-winning community theatre group—well known locally for its ambitious and entertaining productions—will perform Jessica Swale’s Olivier Award-winning comedy at The Studio at Brentford School for Girls from Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 May, with evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Charting the remarkable rise of Nell Gwynn from orange seller to one of the first celebrated actresses on the London stage—and ultimately mistress to Charles II of England—the play blends humour, romance and music to tell a story of ambition, resilience and charm. Since its debut, Nell Gwynn has become a modern favourite, praised for its wit and its portrayal of a woman determined to make her mark in a male-dominated world.

St Faith’s Players, Brentford’s only award-winning community theatre group, have built a strong reputation for bringing high-quality productions to local audiences, following recent successes with The 39 Steps and Dick Whittington.

Performances will take place in the intimate Studio theatre, with doors and a licensed bar opening 45 minutes before each show. The venue offers free parking and wheelchair access, making it an accessible night out for the local community.

Tickets are priced at £15 (plus booking fee) and are available online via TicketSource or by phone on 0333 666 3366.

The production contains mild innuendo and is recommended for audiences aged 14 and above.

Founded in the 1970s, St Faith’s Players began as a church-affiliated drama group and has since evolved into a fixture of Brentford’s cultural calendar. The group is known for its inclusive ethos, welcoming performers and backstage volunteers of all ages and experience levels. Past productions have included Aladdin, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk, with the annual pantomime often serving as a highlight of the local festive season.

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