‘Love in a Wood’ online reading from Jermyn Street Theatre

The comedy was first staged in 1671.

William Wycherley's Love in a Wood was first performed 350 years ago, in a time where the internet wouldn't even be dreamed of. For 2021, Jermyn Street Theatre will present an online reading of Love in a Wood, available to watch on 31 January.

Set in Restoration England, the play follows Valentine, a romantic who hears his lover Christina has been untrue. Trying to discover the truth, Valentine attempts to fall in love. Love in a Wood will be directed by Hermione Gulliford.

Jermyn Street Theatre's artistic director Tom Littler said: "I'm a big fan of Restoration comedy and I know many of our audience feel the same way. So when I heard that Hermione Gulliford had assembled such a fantastic cast for a Zoom reading of Love in a Wood - an underrated gem of a play - I rang her to ask if we could help... The reading is free but we're raising donations for Equity Charitable Trust, who are doing crucial work at this tough time."

The Love in a Wood virtual reading will star Linda Bassett, Nicholas Le Prevost, Danny Sapani, Nancy Carroll and Jo Stone-Fewings. James Anderson, Ian Gelder, Paul Chahidi, Christopher Chung, Lorna Brown, Ellie Fanyinka, Debbie Chazen, Shaofan Wilson, May Walker and Jules Melvin.

Love in a Wood will premiere on Jermyn Street Theatre's YouTube channel on 31 January. You can watch Love in a Wood below. 

^{Photo credit: Love in a Wood (Photo courtesy of Jermyn Street Theatre)}