Top Girls Characters

The protagonist of the play, Marlene is a high-ranking official at the Top Girls Employment Agency in London, and, at the start of the action, has just received an important promotion. To celebrate, she convenes… read analysis of Marlene

Isabella Bird is a real-life, nineteenth-century English explorer, writer, and naturalist. Isabella is the only character at the dinner party who never bore children, and the only character whose work was honored in her lifetime… read analysis of Isabella Bird

Lady Nijo is a real-life, thirteenth-century concubine-turned-Buddhist-nun. Lady Nijo was raised from birth to live a life of sexual service to the Emperor—her own father gave her over to the Emperor, and instructed Nijo to… read analysis of Lady Nijo

Dull Gret is the subject of Dulle Griet, a Flemish renaissance painting by Pieter Brueghel the Elder. The painting depicts Gret—an older woman clad in long skirts and battle armor—leading a group of women… read analysis of Dull Gret

Patient Griselda is a figure from European folklore, most famously featured in the tales of Boccaccio and Chaucer. A peasant of humble origins, Patient Griselda was selected to marry a handsome, wealthy, and powerful Marquis… read analysis of Patient Griselda

Jeanine is a young woman who comes to the Top Girls Employment Agency for an interview with Marlene. Jeanine wants to make more money, as she is saving to get married and settle down… read analysis of Jeanine

Joyce is Marlene’s sister and Angie’s adoptive mother. Whereas Marlene is ambitious, self-serving, and cosmopolitan, Joyce is humble, giving, and rooted firmly in her small, working-class hometown. Joyce is not by any means… read analysis of Joyce

Joyce’s sixteen-year-old adoptive daughter Angie is odd, quiet, and stunted. She is a lonely girl, whose only friend, Kit, is four years younger than her. Angie expresses a keen desire to kill her… read analysis of Angie

Kit is a twelve-year-old girl who is a friend and neighbor of Angie’s. Though Kit is young, she is cruel and aggressive, and spars verbally and physically with Angie. Kit seems to feel coerced… read analysis of Kit

Louise is a woman who comes for an interview at the Top Girls Employment Agency with Win. She is forty-six, and Win describes her age as a “handicap.” Louise is frustrated in her current… read analysis of Louise

Mrs. Kidd is the wife of Howard Kidd, a man who works at the Top Girls Employment Agency. Mrs. Kidd comes to visit Marlene to beg for Marlene to refuse the promotion she’s… read analysis of Mrs. Kidd