NELL Gwyn certainly caused something of a stir in her time. Born in the gutters of Covent Garden, Nell had only her natural charm and wit at her disposal to rise through the ranks of society and become one of the most-loved actresses of her day, as well as the mistress of King Charles II.

Now her vivacious life comes to the stage in Pretty Witty Nell, a one-woman show arriving at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead next week.

The touring production is the brainchild of Bucks actress Caroline Harding, who was born and raised in Marlow.

Caroline, who now lives in Manchester with her husband, the former Coronation Street actor Chris Gascoyne, and their three children, says: "I've always been interested in the Restoration era. It's such a fascinating time, because women were allowed far more freedom than previously and could become actresses or work in the theatre.

"It was a very heady, hedonistic time as well, and as I researched the era I came across Nell Gwyn, who of course was a very interesting character herself.

"Her life was so vibrant and she was incredibly popular, even though she did claim a lot of the taxpayers' money over the years!

"But she was also very warm and generous. When you look at her life, you can see how far she really came.

"Some people have inevitably compared her to Eva Peron or see her as a real-life Cinderella."

Among the stories recounted in Pretty Witty Nell are anecdotes about Nell's rivalry with King Charles II's other mistresses, most notably Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine, and Louise de Keroualle.

"They were both very snobby and had their fingers in lots of political pies," explains Caroline. "But in contrast, Nell just wanted to have a good time and gave a lot of her money away."

Referring to Pretty Witty Nell as "a sort of historical stand-up", Caroline says the show is packed with amusing stories about Nell Gwyn and is guaranteed to give people "a real laugh for the night".

Aside from her current show, Caroline has toured extensively in the last few years with Two Friends Productions, the company she formed in 2000 with fellow actress Candida Gubbins.

The pair met while working for the Royal Shakespeare Company, which Caroline joined straight after graduating from the Guildford School of Acting.

Away from the stage, Caroline has also secured a number of television roles in series including Emmerdale, Life On Mars, Casualty and A Touch Of Frost.

But it is for her new venture that Caroline says she has developed "a real fondness".

"There's certainly a place in my heart now for Nell," adds Caroline. "The more I researched her, the more I realised what a character she really was.

"If she had lived today, she would no doubt be someone very much like Vivienne Westwood - probably very well read and witty, but extremely batty. That's what makes her so interesting to play."

Two Friends Productions presents Pretty Witty Nell at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, on Wednesday, May 7, 7.45pm. Details: 01628 788997 or www.nordenfarm.org