Playhouse Creatures by April De Angelis. October 8th, 9th and 10th 2026
Wharf Theatre, Devizes
Playhouse Creatures is a tragi-comic play set in 1660s London, focusing on the first English actresses allowed on stage after the Restoration. It explores the lives, struggles and camaraderie of five women navigating a male-dominated world, dealing with sexual exploitation, ageing, and the fight for artistic freedom.
Bawdily funny yet profound, Playhouse Creatures explores the pitilessness of ageism and the need for economic independence.
The play highlights the harsh realities of the early theatre scene, where actresses were often seen as “animals” or “creatures” rather than respected professionals.
Produced and directed by Debby Wilkinson
Tickets available from 1st August for general release. Click here to buy tickets.
Cast
Doll Common: Louise Peak
Louise has been involved in theatre since childhood. Her many productions with the Dulwich Players included ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’, ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ and ‘Our Town’. At the Wharf Theatre her highlights have been ‘Quartet’, ‘The Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ and ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’, where she played the complex and troubled Mrs Appleyard. Her most recent production was as the golf-playing trophy wife Celia in ‘Calendar Girls’. She also performs with Devizes Musical Theatre and particularly enjoyed playing Mother Superior in ‘Sister Act’. Louise has always sought out the theatre wherever she has found herself, including setting up a theatre company in Glasgow where she wrote and directed several scurrilous pantomimes.
Nell Gwyn: Grace Sheridan
Grace is a versatile performer who studied Musical Theatre at the University of Chichester Conservatoire and has since worked professionally in London’s West End and touring internationally. Alongside her performance career, Grace teaches dance and theatre workshops, sharing her experience and passion with performers of all ages. She also performs regularly with function bands and is an active member of the Lewes Music Group, her favourite performance being the Fleetwood Mac set as Stevie Nicks. Her most recent ventures include playing Wednesday Addams in ‘The Addams Family’ and performing with the Fulltone Orchestra at The Fulltone Festival.
Mrs Farley: Sophie Kerr
Sophie studied Drama at Loughborough University and is a regular performer with the Rondo Theatre Company in Bath. She has also appeared with the Wharf Theatre’s in-house company. Her favourite roles include Gwendolen in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, Fiona in the world premiere of John Hodge’s ‘Flatpack’, Hella in ‘The Master and Margarita’, Herself in ‘Still Alice’, and Mrs Daldry in ‘In the Next Room’. Other credits include a Witch in ‘Macbeth’, a Fairy in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, and Eunice in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. Sophie is delighted to be making her debut with 3rd Third Theatre and is excited to be part of such a powerful all-female play.
Mrs Betterton: Wendy Dopheide
Wendy has an honours degree in Modern Languages from Royal Holloway College, University of London, where her particular interest was 20th Century German drama. Since graduating, she has taught various subjects in a number of educational settings. She spent several years as Head of Drama at a small specialist school for dyslexics and has just retired as Lead Speech and Drama Teacher at Warminster School. She has previously appeared at The Wharf in ‘Calendar Girls’ and as Liz in John Godber’s ‘Happy Jack’, and in numerous productions at The Athenaeum Centre in Warminster.
Mrs Marshall: Freddie Underwood
Freddie trained in Acting at Drama Studio London. She also possesses a degree in Drama & Theatre Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London, a Level 4 Teaching Qualification in Performing Arts & a Teaching Qualification in Mindfulness. She runs Stagecoach Performing Arts Trowbridge, Frome & Westbury. Additionally, she works as an Acting Coach, LAMDA teacher, Director, Actor & Published Writer. Her most recent production at the Wharf was directing ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ in 2025. Her most recent acting production at the Wharf was as Ruth Ellis in ‘The Thrill of Love’, directed by Debby Wilkinson in 2024
Contains strong language and adult themes. Suggested age 14+
This amateur production of “Playhouse Creatures” is presented by arrangement with Concorde Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.