Socialist Feminism as a Panacea for British Feminist Theatre Practice: A Study of Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls

Abstract

Abstract

The role and relevance of feminist theatre movement world-wide is increasing day by day. It has taken into consideration various ideological questions related to the position of women in society and has tried to find answers for a number of questions left unanswered by patriarchy through theatrical performances. It has provided women a space for self-exploration and it functions as a mediator communicating ?herstories? to the world outside. The present research has probed deep into the terrains of feminist theatre practices with special reference to the feminist theatre movement in Britain in an attempt to identify the various underlying concerns and ideology functioning behind feminist theatre activism. British feminist theatre practice largely depends on the ideologies of socialist feminism. Caryl Churchill presents socialist feminism as the way out for women seeking to explore their personal idiom. Her play Top Girls is a critique of American materia