Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher researched extensively prior to writing Compleat Female Stage Beauty, bringing truth to his bawdy restoration comedy. The play debuted at the beginning of the 21st century and depicted a momentous change in English theater. It was in 1661 when Charles II, at the insistence of his charming mistress Nell Gwynn (Rachel Robinson), decreed that women be allowed to play women's roles. Formerly, women were not allowed on the stage. Charles II also decreed that men could not play women's roles.
Now this was a very bad thing for a lot of men, especially stars like Edward Kynaston (Sean LaRocca). He went quickly from star to the gutter. Hatcher, of course, fictionalized some events, keeping the principals' names authentic and elevating, by a notch, Mrs. Margaret Hughes (Kelli Harless) to the first female to appear on stage.
Palomar Performing Art's Palomar College production of Compleat Female Stage Beauty is properly improper, ribald, and, most importantly, a window to theaters past. LaRocca is an excellent Kynaston, portraying a wide range of emotions as his character's life is torn apart. Opposite him is a very charming Mrs. Hughes. Harless gives her just the right balance as she travels a road from acting obscurity to the role of Desdemona. A very nice contrast between the two.
Totally outrageous much of the time is Robinson's Nell. She is, after all, a power behind the throne through most of the play. Nell is also a frustrated actor who, while playing at the Court of King Charles II, wants to play for the general public. Kynaston's dresser, Maria (Alyssa Schindler), also aspires to being on the boards instead of in the wings. Schindler creates a well rounded character filled with both compassion and desire.
It is Samuel Pepys (Sean Hannify), a diarist, who acts a storyteller. Villars, Duke of Buckingham (Chad Patterson) has a carnal interest in Kynaston. Bruce Blackwell is convincingly arrogant as King Charles II.
Director Pat Larmer has an excellent, albeit large cast, that all give very good performances. Compleat Female Stage Beauty is one of several plays that deal with the period and Shakespeare's works. It amuses me that it takes an educational institution to tackle a play as risque as parts of this are. This is the second production coming out of higher education that has brought its audiences a challenging work that both educates and titillates. If I had to grade this production, it would get an A.
