Top Girls

First performed in 1982, Caryl Churchill’s all-female drama about professional women and their battle with sexism feels as if it could have been written yesterday.

Its abrupt, confrontational dialogue about politics, equality and Thatcherite society is chillingly relatable to modern issues; unemployment, the struggle of balancing career and family and that impenetrable glass ceiling.

The scenes set in London recruitment agency Top Girls pose an interesting question about feminism – should we celebrate one woman’s rise the top, or focus on collective goals to move everyone closer to equality?

The answer comes in the emotional final scene, as it becomes clear that when individual success is paramount, the most vulnerable members of society are left behind.

Six of the seven-woman cast play several distinct roles with ease, while Caroline Catz, as Marlene, is a chilling portrait of how women act like men to get ahead. Captivating. On until March 10. Samantha Gildea