Sphinx Plays
Six Feminist Classics
Aurora Metro Books (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 30. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-912430-96-3 (ISBN)
Description
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, Diana Esguerra and Pam Gems -- each offering a distinct, provocative lens on women's lives, histories and futures.
With an introduction by 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.
with a prologue from The Roaring Girls Hamlet by Clare 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
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 groundbreaking 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.
With an introduction by 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.
with a prologue from The Roaring Girls Hamlet by Clare 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
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 groundbreaking 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.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Aurora Metro Publications
Illustrations
black and white photos
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-912430-96-3 (9781912430963)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Bryony Lavery (born 1947) is a prolific British dramatist who has written over 100 plays, with some counts putting it as high as 130. Known for her successful and award-winning 1998 play Frozen. In addition to her work in theatre, she has also written for television and radio. She has written books including the biography Tallulah Bankhead and The Woman Writer's Handbook. She taught playwriting at the University of Birmingham.
Author
Introduction