Playwright Caryl Churchill is known for producing difficult works with socialist-feminist themes. The Skriker is no exception, but its plot, delivered in a stream-of-consciousness format that shifts between the underworld and the modern world, makes for a trying piece. The work’s challenges are what reportedly drove Forum Theater and Dance to produce the piece. The show has wildly dressed background characters swaying to imaginary music, a sparse set, complex yet confusing lines, and exquisite acting…

Five pseudo-historical, pseudo-literary feminist icons from widely different eras are brought together by a modern-day executive for a dinner party. This arguably contrived premise is the initial basis for Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls, now being staged by the Fountainhead Theater. The show’s conceit feels rather forced, and continues to puzzle during the second act, when all the main figures are dropped and the action shifts to a present-day story of that same executive and her…

Plays by women; plays about women. The fairer sex captures the imagination of many D.C. theaters this September, offering works by celebrated female authors and performing plays that focus on female characters. And if that’s not your thing, well, there’s always Kafka. Two area theaters present works by Caryl Churchill — Studio Theatre performing A Number beginning Sept. 7, and Fountainhead Theatre staging Top Girls, which opens Sept. 8. The former show explores ethical issues…

The City Paper’s own Trey Graham recently took home a significant accolade in the world of theatre criticism, winning the 2003-04 George Jean Nathan Award. The Nathan Award, administered by the Cornell University Department of English, was established to reward “the American who has written the best piece of drama criticism during the theatrical year (July 1 to June 30), whether it is an article, an essay, treatise or book.” Graham was selected by a…