The dramatic story of the pioneering women’s theatre company that dared to challenge the male-dominated performing arts scene of the 1970s and 80s.
Playwright April de Angelis tells the dramatic story of pioneering women’s theatre company Monstrous Regiment, 50 years on from its creation.
In the 1970's, the newly founded Women's Liberation Movement rocked the world. But British theatre was still a largely male preserve. Actresses found themselves in left-leaning fringe productions auditioning for minor roles as sidekicks to male protagonists. Sick and tired of being marginalised, a group of actresses led by Gillian Hanna, Chris Bowler and Mary McCusker decided to form their own company to focus on the lives of women and promote roles for women in all areas of theatre, on and off stage.
Monstrous Regiment was born, named ironically after John Knox's vituperative description of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
Across two decades of extraordinary social and political upheaval, this group of women changed theatre history, fuelled by ambition, ion and ideology.
Presented by April De Angelis
Sound mix by Steve Bond
Production Coordinator - Anna de Wolff Evans
Executive Producer - Sara Davies
Produced, recorded and edited by Nicolas Jackson
With special thanks to Monstrous Regiment, Mary McCusker, Russell Keat, Helen Glavin, Lily Susan Todd, Roger Allam, Bryony Lavery, Susan Croft, Gerda Stevenson, Rosa Slade, Adrian Berry, Jackson’s Lane and Unfinished Histories.
Songs courtesy of Monstrous Regiment and Helen Glavin.
For more information about Monstrous Regiment visit https://monstrousregiment.co.uk/
An Afonica production for BBC Radio 4
