Plays by Women, Vol. One

by Michelene Wandor (Photographer), Caryl Churchill, Pam Gems

Four female British plays deal with a poet and her mother, a family's breakdown in communication, a woman who literally wrestles with her problems and the interaction of a group of office workers.

Genres: Theatre, Plays

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Claire Gratto · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word: Tissue.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of plays of the 70s and 80s about feminism that are still relevant today (sadly).

Vinegar Tom is good, down to earth when dealing with a supernatural element, witches and hard hitting as they die.

Dusa, Fish, Stas and Vi is my favourite of the collection, as I feel it shows and doesn't tell. I like how women want so badly to not be defined by men but fail. And it deals with body issues as well.

Tissue is simplistic and depends a lot on the staging - it's about breast cancer.

Aurora Leigh has some lovely lines (let us grant, 'tis somewhat easier to burn a house, than build a system') but is too sonnet-y for it to work as a stage play (although I'm sure it DOES work, it's a smart one) and I feel like it's strengths are in being a radio play.

A tight collection. But feels like the best of a small number of plays written by women.

[Emylie]

read Aurora Leigh by Michelene Wandor