'It was the most nervous I'd ever been': Leading London arts women talk about their proudest achievements

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Throughout March, the Evening Standard is running a special series to mark Women’s History Month, covering everything from forgotten female heroes to the brilliant women of today.

Women have historically been underrepresented in every industry within the arts, from leadership positions to leading roles. But what about the women who are representing?

We often talk about the difficulties women face and how far there still is to go. These are necessary conversations, but often not very cheerful ones. To mark Women’s History Month, we asked leading women in the arts to talk about their proudest achievement from the last ten years - and the work of another woman that they would like to celebrate.

Marianne Elliott

Helen Maybanks

What I’m proud of… Right now, I would say it has to be Angels in America - the scale of the production, the amount of time in preparation and rehearsal to honour the two plays. They contain the finest writing I have ever worked on but that comes with a huge responsibility. And bringing them back to London in their entirety for the first time in 25 years with such a stellar cast was no small task, and now I am re-mounting them on Broadway. These plays have been my life for the last 18 months and I am so proud of what the cast and creatives have achieved.

Another woman I want to celebrate is… I want to celebrate Tamsin Greig as an actress and as a human being. We first worked together in 2006 when she agreed to come to Stratford-on-Avon to play Beatrice (brilliantly) in my production of Much Ado about Nothing. We were both away from our families and went on this joyous journey together. Since then I have watched her smash every role she does whether on stage or on screen, and she remains the dearest, kindest and truest friend. When I was directing Angels in London, she would send me little messages of support every day. I admire her political stance too. She sees age as a precious experience that must be celebrated and acknowledged in women’s looks. That is a very rare thing in this profession.

Marianne Elliott is Artistic Director of Elliott & Harper Productions. Company opens at the Gielgud Theatre on September 26

Jude Kelly

(Sara Shamsavari)

What I’m proud of… As Artistic Director I’ve been proud to see our Southbank Centre become one of the most popular visitor attractions in London and equally proud to have founded the WOW - Women of the World Festival which has now spread to 23 countries across 6 continents.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I’m proud to see Phyllida Lloyd and the Donmar team reframe the casting of Shakespeare and Jenny Sealey smash glass ceilings placed on disabled artists, but Lubaina Himid gets my biggest fanfare for winning the Turner Prize after years of less recognition than she deserved. Too typical for women - but we can change that, surely?

Jude Kelly is Artistic Director at Southbank Centre and founder of WOW - Women of the World festival which runs 7-11 March, supported by Bloomberg.

Afua Hirsch

What I’m proud of… Definitely writing my book. I worked on it over three years while working a more than full-time job and looking after my little daughter, and in hindsight I'm not sure how I got by with so little sleep. But sometimes when you are totally focused on something you feel is part of your purpose in life, you pull the impossible off. I just hope I can replicate it again if I need to!

Another woman I want to celebrate is… There are so many amazing women in the arts who inspire me - I can pick one from just the last ten days. I'm loving Letitia Wright's rise to fame and glory - I feel like I've been seeing her on the small screen for years and her talent always shone through. We produce such talented actors in this country; she will go far. Going back further, seeing Lubaina Himid be the first woman of colour to win the Turner Prize was a really special moment as she has consistently been creating beautiful and powerful art for so many years.

Afua Hirsch is the author of Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging

Marin Alsop

What I’m proud of… Two things: firstly, the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship. I wanted to create more opportunities for women in my field, for them to experiment and even to fail without disastrous consequences. Since 2002, its had 15 awardees and they are all excelling in the field. My greatest joy is the supportive community they have created together. Secondly, I’m proud of Orchkids, a scheme I started with the Baltimore Symphony 10 years ago to create opportunities for all children to play an instrument. It started as an after school programme at one school in West Baltimore; today we have over 1,300 kids playing musical instruments.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I am a huge admirer of the work of Jude Kelly and Joyce DiDonato. It manifests in different ways but their commitment to access and inclusion in the arts for all human beings is an inspiration to me.

Marin Alsop is one of the world’s leading classic conductors, and was the first woman to conduct the Last Night of the Proms

Chi-chi Nwanoku

(Eric Richmond)

What I’m proud of… Launching the Chineke! Foundation in 2015 has certainly been one of the highlights of the last 10 years. As a professional musician, I had no experience of running an orchestra or an organisation, so I had to learn about setting up and incorporating a business, hiring and managing staff, fundraising and budgeting, all while playing the double bass! So I am particularly proud of how well it has been received. The audience gave us a standing ovation that first night, and we have gone from strength to strength since then!

Another woman I want to celebrate is… For me, there are two figures who stand out, past and present. The first is Maya Angelou. She was a voice not only for women of colour but for all women, and in fact all people who have been down-trodden. She became the voice of the people, and her poems, speeches and writings contain sentiments that properly resonate with all those who understand the indomitable nature of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Then there is Jude Kelly, who has achieved incredible things during her time as Artistic Director of Southbank Centre. Southbank Centre has always been one of the leading arts centres in the world, but Jude has really brought it into the modern era and turned it into a pioneering organisation. Needless to say she has been very supportive of Chineke!, launching us at Southbank Centre in 2015 and our continued position there as Associate Orchestra, and what she is doing now with the WOW Festival very much echoes Chineke!’s work in opening up the arts, and classical music in particular, to people who feel left out or excluded.

Chi-chi Nwanoku is founder of Chineke! Orchestra, Europe's first majority BME orchestra. They perform the re-opening concert at Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall on 9 April

Stella Duffy

What I’m proud of… I'm most proud of co-founding and co-directing Fun Palaces since 2013, supporting local people and local communities across the UK to create their own cultural events, shining a light on the brilliance in their own communities and underlining the vital importance of cultural access for all - not just to consume culture but to celebrate the culture they create themselves. I'm especially proud of having done this alongside my own writing and theatre work, hopefully assuring other women that it's great to be a Jill of all trades, and that illness doesn't have to mean we give up on our passions - I had my second breast cancer in 2014.

Another woman I want to celebrate is… Liv Little and her colleagues who created and run Gal-Dem. This magazine (online and in print) for and by women of colour and non-binary people of colour is a vital addition to our cultural and political life.

Stella Duffy is a novelist, playwright, director and performer, and co-founder of Fun Palaces

Frances Morris

Hugo Glendinning

What I’m proud of… I am most proud, as Director of Tate Modern, of helping make visual arts and culture the focus of such widespread contemporary interest and shifting attention from a narrow western canon to an incredibly rich and diverse range of artists from around the world.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... Someone else’s achievement I would salute is the inspirational Chi-chi Nwanoku, double bassist and founder of ‘Chineke!’ Europe’s first professional majority BAME orchestra.

Frances Morris is director of Tate Modern

Sabrina Mahfouz

Matt Writtle

What I’m proud of… Nine years ago this month marks the very first time I read a poem of my own out loud to a crowd at an open mic night in an east London pub (of course, now a very expensive cafe)! It was the most nervous I’d ever been, my hands and voice shaking, but it actually went well and was the start of what would become my writing career - although I had no idea of that at the time. I will always feel really proud that I persevered, as I nearly backed out multiple times whilst waiting for my turn. I hope anyone reading this might have their resolve strengthened to take whatever artistic plunge they’re considering - it is only as terrifying as you imagine it will be once!

Another woman I want to celebrate is... Ten years ago, me and one of my best friends, the artist Zoë Buckman, were waitressing at a nightclub. This month, she’s going to unveil a huge installation of her feminist masterpiece Champ - a neon uterus with boxing gloves as ovaries - on Sunset Boulevard in LA, as well as showing her stunning collection Let Her Rave in a nearby gallery. She has reached epic heights in such a short time and her work couldn’t be more necessary for women - and men - today.

Sabrina Mahfouz is a poet, playwright and activist

Jess Thom

(James Lyndasy)

What I’m proud of… I think my proudest moment of the last ten years has been the publication of my book Welcome to Biscuit Land. As a child I found writing really difficult and it wasn’t something I’d done since I left school. The process of writing had been crucial in helping me reframe my experiences with Tourettes. Now when people tell me it made them laugh, cry or think, I’m really pleased that it resonates with them.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... Seeing the incredible work that Liz Carr has been doing in Silent Witness, as a disabled woman, taking on challenging and relevant storylines is something I just haven’t seen before. For a disabled character to develop over many years is absolutely incredible. And Liz is not alone, there’s a small but growing group of disabled women who are redefining what it means to represent disability realistically and dynamically on screen.

Jess Thom performs in Not I at Battersea Arts Centre until March 17

Deborah Frances-White

Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd

What I’m proud of… I am most proud of The Guilty Feminist Podcast. It’s become an exciting platform to share with a most diverse, savvy, hilarious, glorious women. We’re playing large West End venues and launching Suffrageddon the musical - created by immensely talent hip hop artists and composers - and we’re creating shows with volunteers who work with refugees in Calais. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling, exciting and wonderful than that. It’s exceeded my expectations.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... Hannah Gadsby has built an audience to listen to the most intelligent, raw, provocative comedy and theatre over the last ten years, arriving recently with the multi-award winning Nanette which transcends genres and blows minds. It is live at Soho Theatre now, soon to be released on Netflix and is changing the world.

Deborah Frances-White hosts The Guilty Feminist podcast

Nicole Crentsil

(Krystal Neuvill )
Krystal Neuvill

What I’m proud of… My proudest moment was speaking at my first TedxUclWomen. It was a whole new experience of public speaking that really tested my ability to confidently talk about my story to such a large audience. A year later I was invited to host the entire event which was another huge achievement. It didn’t really sink in till I was actually on the stage doing what I do best. In such a short time, I had achieved so much and also learnt so much about what I am capable of.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... As a pioneer of the 1980s’ Black Arts movement, Lubaina Himid was one of the first to exhibit Black women artists collectively in galleries such as Whitechapel Art Gallery, the ICA and Battersea Arts Centre. Her contribution has paved the way for curators like myself to create further space for Black women to artistically and creatively share their story. Her work and tireless commitment is something I highly admire and believe it should be celebrated for future generations to see.

Nicole Crentsil is a curator, founder of Unmasked Women and co-founder of Black Girl Festival

Josie Rourke

Dave Benett

What I’m proud of… Opening the new Bush Theatre (where I was Artistic Director), after a three-year quest for a new home, with a peppercorn (rent-free) lease secured for 125 years.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... Phyllida Lloyd's conception and achievement of the all-female Shakespeare Trilogy, which - I believe - changed the face of classical acting, casting and directing.

Josie Rourke is Artistic Director of Donmar Warehouse

Rebecca Salter

Cat Garcia

What I’m proud of… The last 10 years have been very exciting. In 2011 I had a retrospective at the Yale Center for British Art and in 2014 I was elected to the RA. I now have the huge honour of being Keeper of the Royal Academy which means I have responsibility for the RA Schools. Working with the next generation of artists is a privilege and incredibly interesting.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... It’s very encouraging to see artists in their 80s and 90s who are still working, and in particular I would like to mention Rose Wylie RA for her Serpentine exhibition and also the Japanese artist Yakoi Kusama who has now reached ‘National Treasure’ status.

Rebecca Salter is an artist and Keeper of the Royal Academy

Rosalie Craig

Dan Kennedy

What I’m proud of… The thing I’m most proud of in my career so far is combining being a mum and going to work. I had absolutely no understanding of how incredibly challenging this would be. Playing a huge role in the West End, whilst at the same time trying to be the best mum I can be is the biggest challenge I’ve faced yet - but one I’m very proud to be attempting.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I would like to celebrate the wonderful Michelle Terry for taking over as Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, but moreover for doing it while having a little baby. At the time she was appointed we were working on our piece Becoming for the Donmar Warehouse and I’ve watched her in awe since then. She manages to juggle it all - being a wonderful friend, wife, mother, actress, writer and Artistic Director. I admire her hugely and think she is flying the flag for all of us brilliantly.

Rosalie Craig is currently starring in The Ferryman and will play Bobbi in Marianne Elliott’s production of Company

Joyce DiDonato

AFP/Getty Images

What I’m proud of… I am very proud that I faced and overcame significant fear and trepidation to go into Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison to work with prisoners, helping them to create and perform music. Singing side by side with these men, watching them express themselves in deeply transformative ways, and gaining their trust is perhaps the most significant work I have ever been a part of.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... Anna Deavere Smith has done extraordinary, ground-breaking work as a producer, developer, and performer of pieces that highlight radically damaged systems in America (the school to prison pipeline is her latest). Not only are the performances herculean in nature, but the impact of these stories she is shining a light on are ones that few people dare to tell.

Joyce DiDonato is one of the world’s leading opera performers

London Hughes

(Matt Stronge)
(Matt Stronge)

What I’m proud of… I'm proud of starting stand-up comedy. I used to get bullied at uni and my self-esteem and confidence was extremely low. For some reason, I randomly decided to perform five minutes of stand-up at my uni's talent show and it changed my life. That little performance got such a great reaction - and not only kickstarted my comedy career but really made me believe in myself.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... Serena Williams. I think black women in general are often overlooked and underrated, and they often have to work five times as hard for the same respect or recognition as their white counterparts. For me, Serena is a superwoman, the best to ever do it. She’s often hailed a great female but I think she is one of the greats, full-stop. In the past 10 years, she's overcome the constant comparison to her sister Venus, excelled in her sport whilst putting up with disgusting comments from men about her looks and size, twerked in Beyonce's music video and won a grand slam whilst pregnant. SHE IS EVERYTHING.

London Hughes is a comedian and TV presenter

Janis Kelly

What I’m proud of… Seven years ago I played Richard Nixon’s Wife in John Adam’s Opera Nixon in China at the Metropolitan Opera, New York. I was 56 and making my MET debut as an American President’s wife, enacting scenes from the 1972 trip to China. I had an overwhelming welcome from the company, chorus and cast. One of the performances was broadcast live globally. I kept thinking, ‘I’m just a girl from Glasgow’. I later realised that my two main vocal teachers, Elisabeth Grümmer and Felicity Palmer, both made their debuts there at exactly the same age I did at 56!

Another woman I want to celebrate is... The woman I would acknowledge and celebrate is Sister Helen Prejean, who campaigns tirelessly against capital punishment. I met her in Eugene, Oregon, four years ago where I was playing her in Jake Heggie’s opera Dead Man Walking. The performances were the climax of a month-long series of events exploring issues relating to criminal justice and the death penalty. For a week I was with her whilst she enlightened people in her forthright yet compassionate insistence in her compelling campaigning against the death penalty on TV, in interviews, in our everyday chats and during rehearsals. I studied her and portrayed her on stage in an opera that she says herself does more for the cause than anything else. She is an exceptional human being.

Janis Kelly is a soprano and Chair of Vocal Performance at Royal College of Music

Ellen McDougall

What I’m proud of… I'm proudest of getting the job to run a theatre that I have always loved, where I am able to give artists I admire opportunities to make work they couldn't anywhere else, that pushes boundaries, challenges form, and is fun to watch. Trust, which has just opened and is directed by Jude Christian, is a case in point. Jude is a brilliant director and she is developing her interest in both dramaturgy and performing - this show has given her space to do all three - and in so doing, to resist that idea of forging a career for yourself as one single thing.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I want to celebrate the work of Purni Morell as the outgoing Artistic Director of the Unicorn and former Head of the NT Studio. She has a unique and incredible understanding of international theatre. She sent me to watch a Christoph Marthaler show almost exactly 10 years ago in Vienna before I'd really done anything, which blew my mind. She got me a job taking my first show Ivan and the Dogs to Georgia, which remains one of the most thrilling professional experiences I've ever had. She has quietly, but profoundly shifted the way we talk about diversity and children's theatre in this industry. She backed me repeatedly before anyone else, and that gave me confidence. She is a major influence on my thinking as a new Artistic Director.

Ellen McDougall is Artistic Director at the Gate Theatre

Lucy Perman

What I’m proud of… Clean Break’s impact within an evolving theatre industry: an impact felt by the importance of our commissions to our playwrights, the extraordinary outcomes for the women with criminal justice experience with whom we work, and our expertise to lead the way in putting women’s voices and stories centre-stage.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I’d like to celebrate director Phyllida Lloyd, with whom Clean Break collaborated on the Donmar’s award-winning Shakespeare Trilogy. Her commitment to an all-women ensemble brought a rich diversity of casting onto one of London’s main stages and, through the setting of a women’s prison, explored aspects of womanhood.

Lucy Perman is Chief Executive at Clean Break

Viviana Durante

What I’m proud of… Dancers live on their emotions and the transition to another career can be hard. I'm proud of each step I've taken: studying for diplomas and learning about dance from a different angle, shadowing some wonderful people, and now putting on my own production - and growing as an artist and a person while doing so. Luckily I've had a lot of help along the way from great organisations like Dancers' Career Development and One Dance UK.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I'd like to celebrate the women who have come forward and spoken up about men who take advantage of their power. Their courage and fearlessness about the impact on their careers is a lesson to us all.

Viviana Durante Company’s programme of Kenneth MacMillan works is at the Barbican 18-21 April

Rebecca Allen

Carsten Windhorst / FRPAP.com

What I’m proud of… The proudest moment in my life, outside of producing my two strong and very funny daughters, is becoming President of Decca Records Label Group. Decca turns 90 years old in 2019, making it one of the most durable labels in music history. In my business there are so many incredible women, they are strong, fearless and know no boundaries. They see no glass ceiling and that makes me so proud of how far we’ve come. Although there are still very few woman running companies in the music industry, it is changing and the industry is addressing it. I honestly believe that we need to talk more about the positive stories amongst us all, so that other woman feel empowered and inspired to achieve.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... With the responsibility of raising girls ahead of me, this has to be Emma Watson. To have a young, high profile actress like Emma, having an influence over my young girls fills me with a huge amount of positivity. She was their heroine as Hermione and they admired her intelligence, they fell in love with her kindness and compassion as Belle and now they seek out Emma Watson. Emma has an amazing ability to connect with a young and hugely influential generation. She doesn’t just believe in gender equality, she fights for it. She leads by example and uses the profile that her work has given her for the good of others.

Rebecca Allen is President Decca Records Label Group and Governor of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance

Victoria Robey

What I’m proud of… I am most proud of being Founder Director of London Music Masters, providing access and pathways to excellence in instrumental music education to those who would not otherwise have had such an opportunity. We teach over 1,500 children a week in seven London primary schools. For all of our students, music has enhanced their lives forever.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I am in awe of mentor communicators like Chi-Chi Nwanoku and Marin Alsop who are out there leading the way ahead for woman and for all of humankind. However, a somewhat unsung hero I admire is Caro Howell, Director of the Foundling Museum. She is a smart, creative, focussed and fearless leader.

Victoria Robey is Chair of London Philharmonic Orchestra and Founder of London Music Masters

June Sarpong

What I’m proud of… My proudest moment is finishing my book Diversify. It took two years to write and I was working the whole time with my TV work, so there were times when I wasn't sure I'd actually complete the manuscript. I'm super proud that I persevered, and even more proud of the finished result and how it's been able to help spark difficult conversations around equality and inclusion.

Another woman I want to celebrate is... I am super proud of Ava Duvernay and the masterpiece she has created with her new film, A Wrinkle In Time - its $100m budget is the largest ever for an African American director.

June Sarpong is a TV presenter and author of Diversify: Six Degrees of Integration

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