What The Women Did (2014)

Luck of War by Gwen John
Handmaidens of Death by Herbert Tremaine
The Old Lady Shows Her Medals by J M Barrie

A fascinating commemorative triple bill of dramatic rarities from the 1920s about the experiences of women left behind during the Great War.

Southwark Playhouse, 2014
Director: Tricia Thorns

ABOUT THE PLAY

The First World War was fought in the mud of the trenches, on the beaches of Gallipoli and in massive battles at sea – but it was also fought at home. a whole new world opened up for women who had to take over men’s work, notably in the munitions factories. But they still had to hold their homes together, often with the wry humour we see in these plays.

Revived to mark the 1914 Centenary, Two’s Company’s has mounted a collection of forgotten gems written during WW1.

PRESS

Tightly and fluidly directed by Tricia Thorns, with an excellent, versatile set of men-less homes from Alex Marker, this is a complex and funny evening’ Daisy Bowie-Sell, Time Out

‘Fascinating viewing’ Michael Billington, The Guardian

‘It breathes contemporary raw feeling’ Libby Purves, Theatrecat.com

LUCK OF WAR by Gwen John
‘A bitterly comic snippet of cheerless domesticity’ Sam Marlowe, The Times

HANDMAIDENS OF DEATH by Herbert Tremaine
‘A poignant snapshot of women workers in a munitions factory’ Fiona Mountford, Evening Standard

THE OLD LADY SHOWS HER MEDALS by J M Barrie
‘A real jewel: witty, pacy and with a fine astringent edge’ Jane Shilling, Daily Telegraph

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