Bringing together an extraordinary line-up of voices, this collection showcases the power, wit and range of contemporary feminist playwriting. Commissioned by Sphinx Theatre Company and introduced by Artistic Director Sue Parrish, the volume features work from leading writers including Bryony Lavery, April De Angelis, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Jackie Kay, Diane Esguerra and Pam Gems — each offering a distinct, provocative lens on women’s lives, histories and futures.

With an introduction by Artistic Director, Sue Parrish, the anthology charts the evolution of one feminist theatre company across decades of artistic innovation and political change. These plays challenge assumptions, reclaim narratives, and celebrate the radical imagination at the heart of women’s writing for the stage.

A vital resource for theatre-makers, students and readers alike, this collection stands as a testament to the enduring force of feminist creativity.

Includes:

a prologue from The Roaring Girls Hamlet by Claire Luckham

The Plays are:

Playhouse Creatures by April de Angelis

Sweet Dreams by Diane Esguerra

The Snow Palace by Pam Gems

Every Bit of It by Jackie Kay

Goliath by Bryony Lavery

New Anatomies by Timberlake Wertenbaker

About Sphinx Theatre Company:

Founded as The Women’s Theatre Group in 1974 Sphinx Theatre Company, relaunched as Sphinx Theatre Company in 1990, has been in the vanguard of promoting, advocating and inspiring women in the arts through productions, conferences and research for more than 40 years. Early productions by the company included the premiere of April de Angelis’ modern classic Playhouse Creatures, Pam Gems’ The Snow Palace and Bryony Lavery’s Goliath, alongside the ground-breaking Glass Ceiling Conferences which began in 1991. A Regularly Funded Company until 2006 the company is now project funded, with support from ACE and the National Lottery. Recent events include the Vamps, Vixens and Feminists conferences, and work with the WOW festival. In 2015 Sphinx produced Women Centre Stage Heroines Festival at the National Theatre, and in 2016 Power Play at Hampstead Theatre, both years showcasing 25 exciting new theatre pieces with women at their centre; and 2022 saw the Sphinx 30 programme support 30 writers to create 30 new pieces of work for the stage. Sphinx continues into its fifth decade of supporting and inspiring women in the arts.