The Actress

Underbelly, Bristo Square (Venue 302), until 29 August

JJ

It’s Restoration-era London and women are ready to take centre stage. Long Lane Theatre pits quiet, ironwilled Anne Marshall (Charlotte Price) against seductive, commanding Margaret Hughes (Eve Pearsonwright) in a race to make history as the nation’s first “actress” – and flattens the stories of these women in the process. A violent dressing room assault is never mentioned after the fact, some loud, bawdy humour from a pompous director and sleazy patron of the arts feels barely 2D, and Nell remains all but anonymous. The best scenes contrast Anne and Margaret’s approaches to their craft, momentarily making history feel timely and alive.