As part of the International Women’s Day 2026, join us to discover Les SPIRITUEUSES, a performance by the Âtre Collective, celebrating the often-overlooked role of women in the history of spirit production followed by a Q&A with Ilène Grange Playwright, director, actress and our partner Lauren Currie, Product Manager of Clydeside Distillery.

A common denominator to Women’s history in “Men’s business” : they would be invisible, therefore non-existent. Sports, corporate business, agriculture, war, and many others, are domains where History pretends Women haven’t been involved in. The SPIRITUEUSES project is intended to break the silence around them, and to imagine some of their moments : a celebration of their major part in the making and rise, of spirits and liquor empires. The first play is dedicated to Women of Whisky.

As a Matrimony (feminine heritage) play, it retraces anecdotes from the paths of several Women who have ensured production and managed distilleries and Whisky trading, in Scotland and Ireland since the eighteenth century. Reactivating times of war, prohibitions, modernities, it’s a whole context that the Âtre Collective’s team evokes, expressing moments and supposed personalities of pioneers like Peggy Donaldson or Helen Cummings, who paved the way for contemporary feminine business managers of Whisky empires, proving that, what was once considered as “Men’s business”, actually was an adventure lead with firm hands by Women just as competent and skilled as them.

Before the performance starts, our partner, the Clydeside Distillery will be providing some whisky for an arrival dram.

The play will be followed by a Q&A with Ilène Grange Playwright, director, actress and our partner Lauren Currie, Product Manager of Clydeside Distillery.

Lauren Currie has travelled across Scotland visiting distilleries, learning their stories, and meeting the people behind the drams. For her, whisky is far more than a drink to be enjoyed — it is an integral part of Scotland’s history, culture, economy, and tourism. With a background in hospitality across Glasgow’s hotels, weddings, and events scene, Lauren joined The Clydeside Distillery as Events Manager, delivering corporate receptions, private celebrations, and luxury dining experiences. She has since progressed to Product Manager across both The Clydeside Distillery and sister company A.D. Rattray, where she now plans bottlings, manages goods and suppliers, and oversees exports to 16 international markets.

Thursday, 5th March
6.15pm-8.15pm
Alliance Française Glasgow
£9 for members / £12 for non-members

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