Women, Power and Politics: Now (NHB Modern Plays)

by Joy Wilkinson

Overview

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

The five plays in this volume look at the impact and influence that women have today.

Acting Leader by Joy Wilkinson
After the sudden death of John Smith, Margaret Beckett finds herself hurled into the position of Acting Leader of the Opposition, and the sole female candidate in the race to lead the party. She embarks on her campaign with the support of Clare Short in the contest that saw the birth of New Labour.

The Panel by Zinnie Harris
The last candidate has just left the room and the door is shut. The clock is ticking, there's a train to catch, and the panel must decide who to appoint. But what is really motivating them, and whose agenda will prevail?

Playing the Game by Bola Agbaje
Election time. The Students' Association needs a new President, and Akousa's achingly cool flatmates are certain she is perfect for the position. How can they persuade her, and how much is she willing to compromise?

Pink by Sam Holcroft
Two careers hang in the balance. Self-made millionaire Kim Keen is one of the most successful businesswomen in the country. As she prepares to launch her latest range on national television an unexpected visitor arrives in her dressing room with a different set of priorities to promote.

You, Me and Wii by Sue Townsend
In a council house in a small Leicestershire town, Vincent's skiing on the Wii, Sheila's feeding her great-granddaugter McKenzie, and Kerry's getting on with the ironing. None of them are planning on voting in the election, but when Selina Snow rings the doorbell to canvas, perhaps she can change their minds, or they can change hers.

'a terrific achievement and crucial, frightening viewing, for both sexes' - Evening Standard

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780013954
Publisher:	Hern, Nick Books
Publication date:	12/04/2014
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	12 Years

About the Author

Joy Wilkinson’s play Now is the Time opened at the Tricycle in 2009 as part of The Great Game: Afghanistan.

Joy’s other writing credits include: Fair (Finborough Theatre and Trafalgar Studios); Felt Effects (Theatre 503, Verity Bargate Award-winner); and The Aquatic Ape (Edinburgh Festival). She also writes for radio and on television for Holby City, Casualty and Land Girls (BBC). She was also a graduate of the BBC’s inaugural Writer’s Academy.

Sam Holcroft’s other plays include Rules for Living, at the National Theatre, The Wardrobe, for National Theatre Connections, and Edgar & Annabel, part of the Double Feature season in the Paintframe at the National Theatre; Dancing Bears, part of the Charged season for Clean Break at Soho Theatre and Latitude Festival; While You Lie at the Traverse, Edinburgh; Pink, part of the Women, Power and Politics season at the Tricycle; Vanya, adapted from Chekhov, at The Gate; and Cockroach, co-produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and the Traverse (nominated for Best New Play 2008, by the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland and shortlisted for the John Whiting Award, 2009). In 2013, she wrote The House Taken Over, a libretto for opera, adapted from Cortázar, for the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and Académie Européenne de Musique. Sam received the Tom Erhardt Award in 2009, was the Pearson Writer-in-Residence at the Traverse Theatre, 2009–10, and the Writer-in-Residence at the National Theatre Studio from 2013–14. In 2014, Sam received a Windham Campbell Prize for Literature in the drama category.