The Actress, a new play about the first women allowed to act on the English stage, runs at Wilton's Music Hall on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 March 2027.
London, 1660. Charles II has reopened the theatres, and women may now perform. Thomas Killigrew wants to beat his rival by putting a real woman in a leading role. Finding one is harder than it sounds. Respectable women will not risk the scandal, and the local prostitutes are written off as unsuitable.
Two candidates are left: Peggy Hughes, an ageing courtesan after a second chance, and Anne Marshall, an educated Puritan with no money. As rehearsals go on and opening night gets closer, the line between empowerment and exploitation starts to blur.
The play is inspired by true events and expands an earlier one-act version first seen at the Edinburgh Fringe. It comes from the team behind The Giant Killers, which has had two national tours, and the production's own artwork bills it as touring from February 2027.
Performances are at various times across the two days, with a running time of 1 hour 50 minutes, including an interval. Full-price tickets cost £13.50 to £28, concessions £11 to £25.50, and both dates are booking now at Wilton's Music Hall.
It is one of the new plays in Wilton's spring 2027 season.
