Women, Power and Politics - Tricycle Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
WOMEN, Power and Politics, a season of plays exploring the history and current role of women in politics in Great Britain, runs at the Tricycle Theatre from June 11 (previews from June 4) to July 17, 2010.
The season also includes a film festival, curtain raisers (in conjunction with the National Theatre Studio) and an exhibition in the Tricycle’s Gallery.
Directed by Indhu Rubasingham with Associate Director Amy Hodge, Women, Power and Politics presents the world premieres of plays by Bola Agbaje, Moira Buffini, Zinnie Harris, Sam Holcroft, Marie Jones, Lucy Kirkwood, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Sue Townsend and Joy Wilkinson. Other works (the curtain raisers) are from young playwrights Lydia Adetunji, Abbie Spallen and David Watson.
There are also verbatim monologues, edited by Gillian Slovo from interviews that she has conducted with politicians such as Oona King, Edwina Currie, Clare Short, Ann Widdecombe, Chloe Smith, Jacqui Smith and Baronesses Pauline Neville-Jones and Shirley Williams.
The season will be presented in two parts – Then, which examines the historical aspects of women and politics, and Now, which has a more contemporary focus. The two parts will be performed on alternate evenings, with an opportunity to see parts 1 and 2 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Speaking about Women, Power and Politics, Indhu Rubasingham said: “In 2010 women make up 19% of MPs. Post election, how much will have changed? It is 92 years since women were first permitted to stand for Parliament and currently Britain has the smallest percentage of women in government of all European counties.
“Women are often referred to as a minority in political terms, but in fact constitute 52% of the population in this country. Women, Power and Politics will raise questions about the complexity of women and political power in Great Britain.”
The Then plays include:
The Lioness by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Her Naked Skin, The Night Season, Shoreditch Madonna).
Elizabeth I described herself as Queen, King and Prince, thriving in a male world and saving the country from debt and wars. Self proclaimed wife and mother to England, her virgin status was part of her myth as she consistently refused marriage citing herself as already taken.
The Lioness, which sees Elizabeth as both a woman and a leader, follows her encounters with two men, John Knox, the ultimate misogynist and Essex, her favourite.
The Milliner And The Weaver by Marie Jones (Stones in His Pockets, Women on the Verge of HRT).
Henrietta, from Belfast and Elspeth, from Dublin are unlikely comrades. The Suffragette movement binds them together but as the question of Home Rule divides Ireland, will national politics tear them apart?
Battle of the Bags by Moira Buffini (Gabriel, Silence, Dinner, Dying For It).
For over a decade Margaret Thatcher met the Queen for a weekly audience. With all her previous Prime Ministers, the Queen enjoyed a fairly informal relationship but with Mrs Thatcher, things were different. Battle of the Bags speculates on the relationship between these two very powerful and private women.
Bloody Wimmin by Lucy Kirkwood (It Felt Empty When The Heart Went At First But It Is Alright Now).
The protests at Greenham Common were a political landmark of the eighties. How much did Greenham impact the fight for nuclear disarmament, the progress of the women’s movement and the culture of protest itself? What is the legacy of Greenham Common?
And the Now plays include:
Acting Leader by Joy Wilkinson (Now Is The Time, part of the Tricycle’s The Great Game: Afghanistan season).
After the sudden death of John Smith, Margaret Beckett finds herself hurled into the position of Acting Leader of the Opposition and the sole female candidate in the race to lead the party. She embarks on her campaign with the support of Clare Short in the contest that saw the birth of New Labour.
Playing The Game by Bola Agbaje (Detaining Justice, part of the Tricycle’s Not Black And White season, Gone Too Far! In Time, Off The Endz).
It’s election time, the Student’s Association needs a new President and Akousa’s achingly cool flatmates are certain she is perfect for the position. But how can they persuade her and how much is she willing to compromise?
The Panel by Zinnie Harris (Fall, Julie, Nightingale and Chase, Further Than The Furthest Thing).
The last candidate has just left the room and the door is shut. The clock is ticking, there’s a train to catch, and the panel must decide who to appoint. But what is really motivating them and will their own agendas prevail?
Pink by Sam Holcroft (Vanya, a radical adaptation of Uncle Vanya, Cockroach).
Two careers hang in the balance. Self-made millionaire Kim Keen is one of the most successful businesswomen in the country. As she prepares to launch her latest range on national television an unexpected visitor arrives in her dressing room with a different set of priorities to promote.
You, Me and Wii by Sue Townsend (Ten Tiny Fingers, Nine Tiny Toes, Are You Sitting Comfortably?, the Adrian Mole novels).
In a council house in a small Leicestershire town, Vincent’s skiing on the Wii, Sheila’s feeding her granddaughter McKenzie, and Kerry’s getting on with the ironing. None of them are planning on voting in the election, but when Selina Snow rings the doorbell to canvas, perhaps she can change their minds, or they can change hers.
For more information call the box office on 020 7328 1000 or visit www.tricycle.co.uk
Chronicles of Long Kesh continue at the Tricycle Theatre until April 17, 2010. It will be followed by Filter’s Twelfth Night