Miss Wilson's Waterloo

Miss Wilson’s Waterloo, a new play by Ellis Jones and Martin Wimbush, receives two afternoon staged readings at the Finborough Theatre to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

Based on Ellis Jones and Martin Wimbush’s acclaimed one man play Wellington, Miss Wilson’s Waterloo is the world premiere of a new play based on the story of celebrated courtesan Harriette Wilson and the Iron Duke, a man of many conquests – only one of which was the Battle of Waterloo.

June 2015 sees the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, the final defeat of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and a milestone in European history. The victors – admittedly with a little help from the Prussians – were the British army led by Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, who went on to become the greatest national hero of the Victorian age, and Prime Minister at a time of growing social discontent.

Harriette Wilson was a woman on familiar terms with many of England’s most prominent men, including the Duke, who in turn was on intimate terms with many of the most glamorous women in Europe. Martin Wimbush’s extraordinary, acclaimed characterisation of the Duke is set in an entirely new, intriguing context, full of surprises.

A brisk, timely new parlour-piece featuring two of British history’s most colourful and entertaining characters.