By Ernest Kearney — Ryan J-W Smith is a known and respected quality among long time Fringers; admired for such productions as MacDeth!, his wacky and wonderful word fest that reworked The Tragedy of Macbeth into the silliest of romps with swordplay and men in miniskirts.
Smith himself is an intelligent and sparkling talent, but Pretty, Witty Nell, onstage at the Broadwater Main Stage during Fringe 2019, is more problematic in that the intelligence overwhelms the sparkle. Acceptable in classrooms, risky in theaters.
The show centers on Nell Gwyn (1650-1687) who rose from poverty and prostitution to consort of Charles II (1630 – 1685); who returned to England and restored the monarchy after the death of Oliver Cromwell, the man who had executed his father Charles I.
That is likely the longest history lesson most Americans have ever had on the Restoration – a fascinating period of British history that produced a host of great writers, introduced actresses onto the English speaking stage and gave the world some truly amazing coiffures.
Smith and his Nell (Melanie Johnson) do an admirable job of telling the history of this bright and effervescent period, but in doing so the fun suffers. Also, alas, the American ear has a hard time twigging out the cockney accent and so a good amount of the script’s wit is lost on them. 
A solid and skillful staging nevertheless with fine performances by both Smith and Johnson.
A SILVER MEDAL
♦ ♦ ♦
Pretty Witty, Nell
playing during The Fringe at
The Broadwater (Main Stage)
1076 Lillian Way.
For Complete Show Information: http://hff19.org/6078
For Events, Plays and Other Fun Fringe News and Info: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/
