NELL Gwynn was no angel. From small beginnings, this seventeenth century prostitute and orange seller became one of the first great actresses before becoming paramour to King Charles II.

Her tale is told in 2016 Olivier Award Winner of Best Comedy, Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale.

Her life is shown in sections by the playwright and performed by talented actors in this Shakespeare’s Globe production presented by the English Touring Theatre in association with Nica Burns, Eleanour Lloyd Productions and Paula Marie Black.

The role of Nell is seductively played by Laura Pitt-Pulford who oozes sex appeal. Wearing a sensuous off-shoulder gown, she captures the heart, not only of the King but every male member of the audience.

Despite her risqué raunchy ways, there is a gentler side to her character slowly revealed by Pitt-Pulford. It is this soft centre which endears her to the King who seems to genuinely love her.

Even in those days to do well on the stage you had to be trained and there is a hilarious scene where Nell experiences her first acting lesson with Restoration actor Charles Hart (Sam Marks).

Her appearance on stage puts the nose out of joint of Edward Kynaston, a female impersonator whose skill is no longer required, each of his howls of rage adding to our amusement. He is played with delightful exaggeration by Esh Alladi.

Nell does not hesitate to turn on leading playwright of the time, John Dryden (Nicholas Bishop) for creating weak female leads. You sympathise with him as he is pressured to produce new scripts fast.

This is a light-hearted representation of flirting, relationships and salacious humour added to by Nigel Hess’s music with its ribald lyrics such as I can dance and I can sing. And I can do T’other Thing.

Musicians play in a box at the exquisitely designed theatre using traditional instruments.

Congratulations, too, on the costumes and wigs.

* Nell Gwynn is at the Lowry until Saturday, March 4. For tickets, telephone 0843 208 6000. Star rating: * * * *