On the eve of a promotion, Marlene is visited by a cast of historical females, both real and fictional, and they’re preparing for a celebratory spread. Humanitarian; Buddhist monk; the first female Pope and an obedient commoner-turned noblewoman are all represented here in their finery. Conversation is easy while trading tales of love, giving birth, loss and heartache in a jostling vocal cacophony, stories of female experience which transcend era. The evening takes a marked turn into despair however; theirs are tales of woe which end all too similarly in tragedy.
In a stark transition, the next scene is firmly grounded in reality, opening to a dimly lit stage as the interior of a working-class home. It’s 1980’s London, a period of Thatcherism, economic conservatism and class division and at the Top Girls Employment Agency Marlene is a high-powered, stiff-lipped executive. An unexpected visit from niece Angie, though, disrupts her present accomplishment. She’s reminded of a life she left behind and we are shown, like other prominent women in history, the sacrifice Marlene has made for her decisions.
Directed by Jenny Kemp, Caryl Churchill’s 1982 play hints at feminism but is never didactic. Looking into what it means to be a woman in power and the resultant loss of femininity this inspires, Top Girls is a historically informed and highly compelling work, acted with authority. Anita Heigh is perfect as the impatient manager, Eryn Jean Nrovill is similarly convincing as the developmentally challenged teen.
Despite dialogue overlap in the first act, which serve to mute what are otherwise vital plot points, and a somewhat startling transition from past to present, Top Girls is a timely and moving reminder of the female struggle across the ages; and the gains made.
Can women have it all? That’s what the production seems to ask but importantly, doesn’t provide a definitive answer. Through the alignment of Marlene in the first act with these historical figures it raises her to an all-important position – the new woman can be a powerful executive but in abandoning tradition there may always be certain losses.
