All-female play "Top Girls" opens tonight, addresses topics both social and political
By Corey Fawcett
The University of Portland's Department of Performing and Fine Arts' production of "Top Girls" opens tonight, and every able-bodied Pilot should go see it. Its engrossing plot presents modern (well, 1980s) feminism in a realistic way that women and men alike can understand.
The play was written by Caryl Churchill in 1982 as a response to the election of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
It opens with a dinner party hosted by Marlene, played by Danielle Larson. Her guests are all famous female historical figures: Pope Joan (Christina Sailler), Isabella Bird (Ariel Puls), Dull Gret (Hillary Burrelle), Lady Nijo (Emily Douglas), and the fictional Patient Griselda of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," played by Maddie Eberhard.
(It might help to do some research on these women before seeing the performance.)
They wine and dine together like a normal group of modern city girls, sharing stories, imparting wisdom and expressing the deep emotional pain of their struggles. As the play goes on, it becomes clear that many parallels can be made between them and the more modern-day characters.
The array of different accents, costumes and attitudes of these historical women makes for an interesting and emotionally-charged first act. I found myself chuckling at some of Lady Nijo's more lighthearted musings and was almost in tears minutes later after Pope Joan recounted her violent death.
The conversation bounces back and forth between characters like a tennis match, so be sure to be alert in order to catch everyone's stories in their entirety.
The rest of the play takes place in England in the early 1980s, where Marlene is a top executive at an employment agency. She has left her working-class life and family behind to become a career woman, and must deal with the repercussions and guilt that come along with this decision whenever she sees her less fortunate sister Joyce and niece Angie, both of whom have been greatly affected by her life choices.
The final act reveals a truth that casts a pall on Marlene's apparent success, altering the audience's entire perception of the play.
This twist emphasizes the great sacrifices women must make to achieve their goals in the workplace - sacrifices that men can usually avoid. Marlene says in the final act "I just want to be free in a free world," a desire every woman has had to work especially hard to fulfill.
The play also addresses the myth that women need to become more stereotypically masculine in order to succeed at work. "I'm not very nice ... I never consider people's feelings" says a customer at the employment agency named Shona, hoping that these statements will help land her a job.
In addition to relaying feminist commentary, "Top Girls" touches upon familial, political and social class issues. The realistic dialogue makes the commentary subtler and more relatable to the audience. These pervasive themes and social statements generate a lot of post-performance conversation.
Although I attended a rehearsal, the performance appeared to be flawless, which is a testament to the talented and hardworking cast and crew. Each actor takes on several characters, changing demeanors and accents with ease.
Their energy is highly engaging even when they're making your heart break for the characters they're playing. Also, the combination of the vintage costumes and sets makes the period piece feel like a time capsule.
"Top Girls" is a play for any adult interested in history, feminism, social rights issues and good theater. Everyone who can see it should, as it provides insight into matters that are still tremendously pertinent today.
Go if you want to do more than just sit back and be entertained, because the performance is more than just entertainment: It will make you reflect and ask questions.
Performances are in the Mago Hunt Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 to 27 and March 2 to 4, and 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 28. Call the box office at (503) 493-7287 for tickets.
