“The Masks of Aphra Behn” and “Oranges & Ink” – A Double Bill!

Aphra Behn was the first professional female writer. Now, for the first time ever, ‘The Masks of Aphra Behn’ and ‘Oranges & Ink’ – two companion-piece one-hour plays that won rave reviews – are to be presented together as a double-bill!
‘The Masks of Aphra Behn’ – It’s 1677 and an audience getting ready to watch Aphra Behn’s ‘The Rover’ is in for a surprise. For the show has been cancelled and in its place, Aphra herself recounts the extraordinary tale of her time as a spy for King Charles II in the Dutch Wars, and how she became a writer. Complete with excerpts from Behn’s letters, poetry and plays, this vivid and thought-provoking one-woman show brings one of the theatre’s most brilliant raconteurs back to life.
‘Oranges & Ink’ – Aphra Behn and Nell Gwyn are good friends. One of them a successful playwright and the other an actress turned royal courtesan, they helped each other find success, despite humble beginnings. ‘Oranges & Ink’ takes place at a time when fake news about a so-called Popish Plot to kill the King is being used to stir up anti-Catholic feelings. When the public seems more interested in the theatre of politics than in actual playhouses, how is Aphra to continue making a living from her plays? And what will happen to Nell if the King dies? Can she go back to the stage?

Cast & Creatives

The Masks of Aphra Behn:
Writer/Aphra Behn – Claire Louise Amias
Director – Pradeep Jey
Sound Design – Keri Danielle Chesser
Costume – Anna Sørensen Sargent
Lighting Design – Cat Harmer

Oranges & Ink:
Writer/Aphra Behn – Claire Louise Amias
Nell Gwyn – Sarah Lawrie
Director – Alex Pearson
Music – The Lovekyn Consort
Lighting Design – Steve Lowe
Costume for Aphra Behn – Anna Sørensen Sargent

Website & Social Media

Website: www.amonkeywithcymbals.co.uk
Twitter: @MonkeyWithCymb

Review / Quotes

Review for ‘The Masks of Aphra Behn’:

★★★★ Remote Goat “Thoroughly Entertaining… faultless”

★★★★ Female Arts “You’ll be hard pressed to find a show quite as original and enjoyable as this one”

A Younger Theatre “Entertaining, witty, well written… insightful”

Reviews for ‘Oranges & Ink’:

★★★★ Close Up Culture “A fascinating play from a talented writer”

★★★★ Plays to See “The show is a delight to watch…high-spirited, moving and sparkling”

★★★★ Breaking the Fourth Wall “The chemistry between Lawrie and Amias makes the play so enjoyable”

★★★★ Remote Goat “An excellent play”

★★★★ Phoenix FM “Highly entertaining”

★★★★ Independent Catholic News “The dialogue is tight and fizzes along”