"Set shortly after the restoration of the monarchy in the 1660s 'Playhouse Creatures' examines the plight of the first actresses to legally appear on stage - strutting their stuff in an old converted bearpit. But all that has changed is the shape and breed of the animals on view.

Mrs Betterton is getting old and losing her looks. She seeks to pass on her acting "knowledge" to the younger Mrs Farley and Mrs Marshall while their dresser and servant, Doll Common, wryly observes. "Never underestimate the power of the open mouth - one may go long way in the theatre with an open mouth".

The pushy youngster, Nell Gwynne comes crashing into their world, determined to work her way up from orange-seller to actress. But "actress" to most 17th century gentlemen is just a synonym for "whore" and the audience come more to gawp at the female display than to appreciate their dramatic talent.

A bawdy tale of a time when it was considered that women had 'No Business' in 'Show Business'."