Play review: Owners (1972) by Caryl Churchill.

For today's blog post I am reviewing Caryl Churchill's 1972 play Owners. First of all, I have been looking forwards to reading more Caryl Churchill as a feminist agender person who read her play Cloud 9 (1979). Some of Caryl Churchill's views on things are similar to mine so there is also that! As I read Owners, Churchill did not disappoint. I liked reading the play a lot. But...

I am going to try not to rant about Clegg. Or Marion... Or Worsely... Or Alec even! The lot of them! Especially Clegg as I find him to be the worst! Caryl Churchill has done a very good job here because she has highlighted sexism and misogyny at its finest with the men in the play. Clegg is by far the worse. Clegg sees women as just meant to be obey the men and not be strong and independent. Take Marion, her character starts off as being a powerful women with her own mind and caring support for Lisa. Although as it transpires, she is a selfish b***h who goes behind Lisa's back on more than occasion for her own personal satisfaction. I feel sorry for Lisa across the play.

Despite Marion being two faced, Clegg's wanting of her to die and contemplating her murder is disgusting. I find those two are a horrid pair suited to each other. Then there is Worsely who to me acts as a puppy following orders from his owner. In this instance it is Marion who is the owner. Many of the characters are owners in some way. Churchill's play establishes the worth that people and things have. Once you lose something it is not always replaceable as the play has shown.

I loved reading Caryl Churchill's play a lot. Churchill's evident ideas as a feminist shine throughout and the play voices feminism with strength. It is a remarkable play, especially one of its time and a highlight to feminist writing. My reactions and responses as a feminist suggest she achieved the effect she wanted on the reader. I can only imagine seeing a production of the play which I one day hope to. In the mean time I can only offer this review of the play I read which I giving a 9.5/10.


Until next time,


Thomas.

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