The first International Festival of Women in experimental Theatre, the Magdalena Project, took place in Cardiff in 1986. The author explores some of the theoretical issues which emerged from the Festival relating to women's theatre and the state of experimental theatre.

Part 1 The birth of Magdalena: women's theatre past and present; third theatre - the women's story; Mary Magdalena - the archetypal performer; the captive waves. Part 2 Magdalena '86 - the first meeting: planning the festival; the shape of the festival; a Magdalena manifesto; the practitioners; performances, discussions, workshops; working with objects; recreating women; music and the voice; politics and plays; the second phase; Magdalena voices; the Magdalena performance; strength, silence and unresolved doubts. Part 3 The Magdalena project: the search for new directions; mothers and directors; nominatae filiae. Part 4 The future of women's theatre.