Women on Top at the Swan Theatre, Worcester Review
Women on Top
Swan Theatre, Worcester
20-21 February 2015
Reviewed by Joanne Watson
Women on Top? Well one woman most certainly is! Gill Jordan! This is an absolute gem of a show – I think as this production tours, it will gather momentum, and will soon become so popular it’ll travel to the largest theatres around!
This is my second visit to the Worcester Swan Theatre, and yet again, I was not disappointed. I would definitely recommend this theatre as a venue. It exceeded all of my expectations and more. The theatre is easily accessible with lots of car parking spaces available. On entering the foyer we could see there is a bar with a seating area, and a smaller ‘shop’ selling snacks and drinks. We were asked on entry whether we wanted to buy raffle tickets and the whole atmosphere was welcoming and friendly. On entering the theatre we were handed union jacks flags – we were puzzled by this, but all; soon became clear!
‘Women on Top’ is a new show from Gill ‘Doreen’ Jordan and writer David Tristram. The idea behind the show is that we are introduced to a hilarious alternative universe, populated entirely by women. Gill Jordan transforms in to many a familiar face as she explores the controversial worlds of politics, religion, the monarchy, and the NHS, and TV. We are told at the very start of the show to ‘leave our political correctness at the door’. I will be honest – at this point I wasn’t sure if this show would be for me, but I was proved wrong in about 5 minutes, when I was in fits of hysteria, laughing at the satire!
The show uses a mix of live acting from Gill Jordan, and pre-recorded parts on a big screen. This was of course to give her chance to change costumes, and was very effective. The show was opened by ‘Doreen’ on the video screen and then Land of Hope and Glory started playing and reason behind the flags became apparent! Everyone started waving their flags, singing along and generally joining in on all the ‘pomp and circumstance’! We were introduced to our host for the evening – Margaret Thatcher – and she gave a speech that had the audience in stitches! She started talking about teachers and education, which could have touched a nerve with me as this is my profession, but she was so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing! While the speech was being given, pictures appeared on the screen to illustrate her points, which were also very comical.
During the show, Gill Jordan took on the roles of Margaret Thatcher, Emmeline Pankhurst, Florence Nightingale, Maria von Trapp and Mary Poppins, the Queen and Nigella Lawson, to name but a few. Clearly Gill is a very talented actress and impersonator – her accents were flawless, and her presentation and execution was so clear that no jokes were missed. She has great comedic timing, and expert at giving the audience chance to respond so nothing is missed from her script.
Through these roles, she looks satirically at ‘Great British Institutions’, including the NHS, the Monarchy, the church, the government and the welfare state. David Tristram’s observations were spot on and extremely clever.
Other highlights for me included the three ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ auditions, the mock of Time Team and the alternative take on Comic Relief – ‘Celebrity Relief’! The part that had me laughing the most as the satirised American police dramas – I was literally wiping away tears at this!
The show ends with Doreen. Made famous for having ‘lazy cow syndrome’, she also gives a speech, thanking people for her award for her ‘Devotion to Welfare’. We are also treated to an extended sketch of Doreen on the screen.
Gill Jordan is a master of her craft. She is believable as many different types of woman. She can expertly deliver a range of accents flawlessly. I have no doubt that I will see her acting in comedy sketch shows on the TV before long. David Tristram is a wonderful writer with great satirical skills. This is a genius pairing and this show will go from strength to strength.
We are told to prepare for a unique night at the theatre, and this is exactly what we got. I loved every minute of it and applaud all that were involved. I implore all of you out there – go and see this show!! You will not be disappointed and it may be the funniest thing you see this year.
Rating: 5/5 
Swan Theatre. The Moors, Worcester, WR1 3ED | 01905 611 427
