Top Girls By Caryl Churchill

Top Girls by Caryl Churchill is considered to be one of the great plays of the last century. It's an all women cast of 7 with everyone playing 2 or 3 characters. It could also have 1 or 2 additional women. There's flexibility in terms of casting.

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The play the complex realities of women's ambition and success in a patriarchal society. The story centers on Marlene, a career-driven woman who achieves a high position at a London employment agency. The play opens with a surreal dinner party where Marlene celebrates her promotion, inviting historical and mythological female figures like Isabella Bird, Lady Nijo, and Pope Joan. Through their stories, the play examines the sacrifices women make for success, the impact of patriarchal structures, and the cost of ambition. The second half of the play contrasts this with Marlene's family life and her relationship with her sister Joyce and niece Angie, highlighting the personal and societal consequences of prioritizing career over relationships and family. 

Performances - the Medway, Bakewell and The Imperial Rooms, Matlock - October 17, 18, 22, 23, 24 ​

Reading - 23 November, Over Haddon Village Hall, 5-9pm  

Auditions in early 2026