Sheridan Smith; Meow Meow; Alcohol and teenagers

More than forty years after the Equal Pay Act, how far have we come in tackling inequalities between men and women in the workplace?  What has the impact of the current economic crisis been on female employment and wage levels? Back in November, we spoke to Labour MP, Ann McKechin about the Business, Innovation and Skills Inquiry into Women in the Workplace. We also invited listeners to submit written evidence. Tomorrow we will hear how the inquiry has been progressing and who some of the key witnesses have been. You can submit your views to the inquiry by email: biscom@parliament.uk

No parent wants to see photographs of their trashed living room in the national press revealing the damage done by hoards of drunk and out of control teens. But no one wants to be the Victorian parent that bans fun. So what is the best approach to teenage parties and is it possible to be too liberal? We talk to writer Amanda Craig and blogger Chris Mosler about how hard it is to get it right?

Drinkaware's 'Mumtank' Panel

International cabaret performer Meow Meow is currently performing her version of the Little Match Girl at the Queen Elizabeth Hall as a part of their Winter Festival.  It is a dark and twisted version of the Hans Christian Andersen tale and was a massive hit at the Sydney festival earlier this year. Definitely not one for the children, Meow Meow is described as ‘gutsy, glamorous, grotesque, rude, and very funny’. She joins Jane Garvey in the Woman’s Hour studio, and sings live for us.

Judi Herman visits the Ballgowns exhibition at the V&A and is shown a design by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, worn by Daphne Guinness in 2011. Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 continues at the Victoria and Albert Museum until 6 January 2013.
As part of a performance art piece, Daphne Guinness dressed for a ball at the Metropolitan Museum in the window of a New York department store.

The actress Sheridan Smith, known for her comedic roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Benidorm, has had a busy year. She’s played the title role in the drama series Mrs Biggs. She’s wowed theatre audiences and critics with her Hedda Gabler and she’s also starred in three films. Her latest is ‘Quartet’, directed by Dustin Hoffman. She plays the role of the in-house doctor at a home for retired musicians and opera singers that include Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly and Tom Courtenay.

Quartet is in cinemas from 1st Jan 2013.