#100theatrewomen - Part One

I first met Jemma Churchill when we were both in rehearsals for C.O.C., a short play written by Vanessa Wilkins and Polly Churchill. The piece imagined a future in which women were dominant in society and was performed at the Little Pieces of Gold new writing event in January 2013.

We've remained firm friends since then and have had many chats about female representation on stage and off stage in theatre past and present. 

Last time we met, I suggested we make a list on Twitter that celebrated the women in theatre that have inspired us, made us laugh, cry, think, feel and dream - both onstage and off. 
So we have! 
Jemma and I are each posting one on alternate days - you can follow it by searching for #100theatrewomen on Twitter.

Here are the names so far... and they're in no particular order of wonderfulness... they are all wonderful!

1. Glenda Jackson
2. Anastasia Hille
3. Frances Barber
4. Clare Higgins
5. Mrs. Jordan
6. Sophie Thompson
7. Lilian Baylis
8. Joan Littlewood
9. Vanessa Redgrave
10. Marianne Jean-Baptiste
11. Sarah Bernhardt
12. Dillie Keane
13. Penelope Keith
14. Sue Townsend
15. Sue Pollard
16. Cicely Hamilton
17. Vera Chok
18. Kathryn Hunter
19. Glen Walford
20. Tameka Empson
21. Rona Munro
22. Deborah Warner
23. Helen Mirren
24. Louise Gold
25. Judi Dench


26. Erica Whyman
27. Debbie Tucker Green
28. Tamzin Griffin
29. Thusitha Jayasundera
30. Janie Dee
31. April De Angelis
32. Etta Murfitt
33. Sarah Siddons
34. Sonia Ritter
35. Anne Marie Duff
36. Rebecca Mordan
37. Bunny Christie
38. Hetty King
39. Sylvia Sims
40. Bobby Baker
41. Kirsty Housley
42. Maureen Lipman
43. Sarah Daniels
44. Indhu Rubasingham
45. Kathy Burke
46. Kate Graham
47. Lesley Sharp
48. Abi Morgan
49. Katrin Cartlidge
50. Lyn Gardner


Please do follow the list, retweet it and add your own! 
We'll be doing 50 each as planned but additions are more than welcome - let's celebrate the theatrical women, past and present, who have inspired us. 
If you don't tweet - do add names in the comment box below!


UPDATE! DECEMBER 2013:
 Our vlog about the first 25 women is up! 
You can watch it below

UPDATE! JANUARY 2014:
The #100theatrewomen list continues - click here to see it!

UPDATE! FEBRUARY 2014:
Second vlog featuring numbers 26-50 on the list is up!
You can watch it below -or by clicking here