Just A Quickie with... Steve Trafford, writer of Ensemble Theatre and York Theatre Royal's new comedy, The Restoration Of Nell Gwyn.

2014 marks the 350th anniversary of Nell Gwyn's first appearance on the English stage. Perfect timing for playwright Steve Trafford to bring to life anew the story of the brightest star of English Restoration theatre and royal whore, raging against her fate in 1685 as Charles II lies ill, his death imminent, her future unclear.

Trafford's play is a two-hander, revolving around Nell and Margery, who she has taken in off the street. Together, they will grapple with their uncertain positions in a topsy-turvy, patriarchal world, where women do not thrive.

CHARLES HUTCHINSON goes in search of the facts and the fiction beyond the oranges; Steve Trafford responds.

Why does Nell Gwyn remain a figure of fascination, Steve?

"Most people have heard of Nell Gwyn but have little idea of who or what she was. She is a half-remembered folk heroine of the people. A rags-to-riches Cinderella figure involving oranges, the theatre and a king's royal mistress. The fact that she was one of the first and greatest of English actresses is little known, but fascinating."

When doing your research for this play, what did you learn about Nell Gwyn that you did not know before?

"I learnt that Nell had two children by CharlesII. One died as a child; the other, the Duke of St Albans, has surviving descendants, one of whom, the present Duke of St Albans, was until recently a Peer of the Realm. Interestingly, Diana, Princess of Wales, was descended from one of Charles II's 'merry-begotten' children."

Your play is “an invention based on the iconic British figure of Nell Gwyn, laced with historically accurate fact”. Is the second character, Margery, an invention?

"Margery is indeed a fictional character, though we know Nell left money in her will to an unknown servant. There's also an apocryphal story of Nell taking in a destitute women from off the streets. A story certainly in keeping with Nell's enormous generosity of spirit."

Why did you choose to use Henry Purcell’s songs in the play?

"Purcell was a contemporary and acquaintance of Nell Gwyn. He wrote songs that gloriously capture the spirit of the age, and yet are timelessly beautiful."

What are you restoring in your Restoration of Nell Gwyn?

"We are 'restoring' a portrait of Nell Gwyn, bringing to life all the hidden depth and colour of this extraordinary woman."

The Restoration Of Nell Gwyn runs in the York Theatre Royal Studio until October 25, then on tour nationwide until November 29. York box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk