Women, Power and Politics: Then

Four plays

Marie Jones, Various, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Moira Buffini, Lucy Kirkwood

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2015
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9781780013961
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A collection of wide-ranging and ambitious short plays reflecting the complexities of women and political power in the United Kingdom.

The four plays published here look back to the moments in history when women possessed - or achieved - power, and what they did with it.

The Milliner and the Weaver by Marie Jones, about the Suffragette movement in Ireland, as the question of Home Rule divides the nation.

The Lioness by Rebecca Lenkiewicz is about Queen Elizabeth I, the myth and the reality.

Handbagged by Moira Buffini, about the working relationship between Mrs Thatcher and the Queen.

Bloody Wimmin by Lucy Kirkwood, about the protests at Greenham Common, a political landmark in the fight for nuclear disarmament.

The plays were first performed at the Tricycle Theatre, London, as part of the Women, Power and Politics season in June 2010.

The other plays presented in the season are available in the companion volume, Women, Power and Politics: Now.

HANDBAGGED

Moira Buffini

Characters

MRS THATCHER (T)

QUEEN ELIZABETH II (Q)

MAGS

LIZ

RONALD REAGAN (RON)

SHEA

MRS THATCHER (T). She is very elderly. She prepares to address us.

T

Freedom and democracy They are things worth dying for And we must never Never stop resisting those Who would take them from us. The act of resistance is our defining act as human beings. To say ‘No, I will not stand for that,’ To say ‘No, I will not do this thing you ask of me because I know it’s wrong.’ To say ‘No, I won’t collude, collaborate, negotiate. I will have no part of it.’ To shout out to the enemies of freedom ‘You are wrong.’ To resist, whatever the cost Even if it be your life. To say ‘No’ This is courage This is true integrity. I would be proud if this word defined me:

‘NO’ I’d like a chair I don’t need one but I’d like one I will not ask for one If I wait, they will notice They will bring me one One of the little people One of the men Dancing around me in their suits Neat cuffs, ties flapping in the wind. Holding their documents like babies The men I could pin them wriggling with my gaze And t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Introduction by Indhu Rubasingham
• Original Production
• The Milliner and the Weaver
• The Lioness
• Handbagged
• Bloody Wimmin
• About the Authors
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information