photo by Daniel G Lam
British playwright Caryl Churchill has probably never written a simple or easy play. Her plays, mostly about female empowerment and sexual roles, challenge the audience and give them plenty to think about. Top Girls, currently being given a revival by The Antaeus Company in North Hollywood, is a prime example. Written in 1982 at the dawn of the Margaret Thatcher era in England, it examines the price women pay for power and authority, for trying to have it all. Through the character of Marlene, who has just earned a prized management position at one of London’s top employment agencies, Churchill twists time and reality to state her case.
The opening scene is the best. Marlene hosts a luncheon for some historical as well as fictional women who achieved power and position, but usually at the cost of losing their humanity in a male dominated society. Among them is Pope Joan (who is said to have ruled as a man in the 9th century), Lady Nijo, mistress of a Japanese emperor who later became a Buddhist nun and Patient Griselda from “Canterbury Tales.” As these women dine and drink and tell their stories they realize how similar they are and what they gave up in order to achieve their goals.
The scenes in the employment agency are quite harsh as the hardened female interviewers grill their prospective female placements. They feel the need to adapt tough standards in order to compete with the males in the office. The final scene ends the play on a bitter political note as two estranged sisters, who chose very different paths in life, argue the politics of Margaret Thatcher and their own life choices. It is reminiscent of David Hare’s brilliant play The Secret Rapture, which some enterprising producer should think of reviving.
As usual with Antaeus productions, the show is double cast. I saw The High Flyers and indeed they were. Sally Hughes commanded the stage as Marlene, aggressively etching a character with few soft edges. Karianne Flaathen gave her a good fight as the downtrodden sister in the final scene. Linda Park had some stunning moments as the heartbreaking Lady Nijo. Rhonda Aldrich impressed as Pope Joan and as a 45 year old woman who was looking to change her job after 21 years with the same company. Etta Devine, Shannon Lee Clair and Alexandra Goodman completed the cast under Cameron Watson’s tight direction. Stephen Gifford’s scenic design and Terri A. Lewis’ costumes were added pluses to this top flight production.
The Antaeus Company, 5112 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. Ends May 18.