01 Mar 2023

"Do what I want, live how I wanna live
I worked hard and sacrificed to get what I get
Ladies, it ain't easy being independent"

Destiny's Child

The character of Marlene (played by Tala Gouveia) is a true 'Independent Woman' making her way as a woman in a man's world way before Beyoncé, Kelly & Michelle.

It's the 1980s and Marlene is celebrating her new job, hosting a fantasy dinner party to celebrate with five great women from history and fiction.

We meet Isabella Bird (played by Natalie Thomas) from the nineteenth century; Lady Nijo (played by Nadia Anim) from the thirteenth century and Pope Joan (played by Lauren Lane) from the ninth century. We also get to hear from fictional characters Dull Gret, the subject of the painting Dulle Griet by Pieter Breughel (played by Sky Frances) and Patient Griselda, character from European folklore (played by Ailsa Joy). Over dinner and quite a few drinks, we hear about each individual's story and the challenges they've faced across their different backgrounds and centuries. 

It got us thinking, who would our dream dinner party guests be? Director Suba Das chose Caryl Churchill, Toni Morrison, Joan Littlewood, April Ashley and Madonna - hear his reasons for choosing these people here.

Ahead of Top Girls opening at the Everyman on 3 Mar and International Women's Day on 8 Mar, we asked some inspiring women from the city region who their five dream dinner party guests would be; over the next week we will hear from actor Cathy Tyson, partnerships director Zoe Wallace, creative consultant Karen Gallagher MBE and more. 

Who would your dream dinner party guests be? 

Cathy Tyson
2023 not only marks 40 years of Top Girls, it also marks 40 years of acting for Liverpool Icon Cathy Tyson. She started her acting career right here at the Everyman in our youth theatre, and went on to star in the films Mona Lisa, The Serpent and the Rainbow and the TV series Band of Gold. Cathy has previously appeared at the Everyman in The May Queen and Bright Phoenix. Last year, Cathy won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role starring in the Channel 4 film Help.

Zoe Wallace
Zoe is Director of Partnerships for Agent, an award-winning, full-service brand and communications agency with studios in Liverpool and Manchester. Part of the Agent family is Agent Academy, which Zoe previously led since 2015. She’s made a significant difference in the employability of young people in the region, developing their skills and providing real opportunities and experiences in the digital, creative and tech sector.

Ruth Hartnoll 
Ruth Hartnoll is CEO and Co-Founder of Matchstick Creative, a purpose-driven creative agency based in Liverpool. As a B-Corp-certified organisation, everything they do aims to drive positive change. Ruth is a Liverpool Combined Authority Digital & Creative Board Member, founder of the ethical business networking group @heyfirestarters and creator of the #FemaleFounder blog series.

Karen Gallagher
Karen Gallagher was born in Liverpool and trained at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London in the early 80s, before returning home to develop dance in a variety of ways. Artistic Director of Merseyside Dance Initiative (MDI) from 1984 to 2018, Karen is passionate about dance and how it can create change in people’s lives. She received an MBE, awarded for services to dance in The Queen’s New Year Honours List 2012 and is an Honorary Fellow of LJMU.

Claire Sweeney
Claire is best known for playing the role of Lindsey Corkhill in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside and was most recently seen on television as series regular Hayley Cox in Derren Litten's comedy Scarborough for BBC One. In the West End Claire played Miss Adelaide alongside Patrick Swayze in Guys & Dolls and other stage credits include Shirley Valentine, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Tell Me on a Sunday and most recently 9 to 5 The Musical.

Frances Molloy

Frances has over 30 years of experience working in public, private and third sector organisations in health and wellbeing in the workplace. 
Frances also led a national campaign to change the law into banning old tyres following the tragic death of her son Michael at only 18. 

Michelle Langan
Michelle is CEO of Paper Cup Project, a charity which supports people across Liverpool experiencing homelessness. In Feb 2022 the charity opened its first coffee shop, Paper Cup Coffee, offering training and support into employment for people experiencing homelessness as well as a pay it forward system which enabled rough sleepers to access food. The coffee shop is on Queen Square so if you're coming to the Playhouse, it's worth stopping by.

Joan Burnett

A Merseysider born and bred Joan, has worked in customer service in arts venues for over 30 years (including the Everyman); and is currently Visitor Services Manager at FACT. Joan spent 9 years as a Director/Trustee of Liverpool Pride and currently volunteers for Liverpool City Region Pride as a programmer for Film With Pride, focusing on new and classic films from around the world with the accent on making diverse voices heard. She is on the Board of Homotopia, a Liverpool based arts and social justice organisation making a cultural impact through art and activism.