This March, The Playground Theatre proudly presents the return of Women’s Voices: A Celebration, a pioneering multi-arts festival dedicated to centering female creativity. Curated by Naomi Sorkin and co-produced by a formidable team including Myriam Cyr, Nicole Ansari-Cox, and Kamini Banga, the festival arrives with a bold ambition: to move under-represented female voices from the periphery to the very heart of the cultural conversation.
Timed to coincide with International Women’s Day, the month-long program (March 8–31) spans theatre, dance, film, music, and activism. It serves as a vital platform for stories that challenge, inspire, and demand to be heard.
Program Highlights
The festival opens on March 8 with a tribute to legendary ballerina Lynn Seymour, featuring live performances and documentary footage. The theatrical lineup is equally robust, including:
Madame Mozart: A dark comedy starring Nicole Ansari-Cox.
The Spy Princess: Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s moving portrayal of WWII secret agent Noor Inayat Khan.
The Elizabeths: A "rip in time" meeting between Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II, starring Caroline Goodall and Rachel Pickup.
Performance highlights include Janie Dee’s moon-inspired one-woman show, Moon Watch, and Nicole Ansari-Cox’s critically acclaimed multimedia piece SHE/HER, dedicated to the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran.
Influence Beyond the Stage
The festival also hosts high-level discussions featuring influential figures. The "Disruptors" panel on March 19 brings together Dame Emma Walmsley (CEO, GSK), Baroness Minouche Shafik, and Baroness Shriti Vadera to share the personal stories behind their formidable careers. Additionally, Janet Suzman reflects on her iconic portrayal of Cleopatra on March 28.
Supporting the Arts
As arts funding continues to shrink, the festival has launched a GoFundMe campaign to ensure fair pay for artists and the commissioning of new work. From BAFTA-winning comedy writers to emerging poets and stand-up comics, every performance aims to provide a space where women’s stories are properly supported and celebrated.
Tickets are now on sale at The Playground Theatre.
