Show: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World
Location: Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool
Dates: Friday 10 December 2021
Running Time: 70 Minutes
Age Rating: 6+
Performers: Christina Modestou, Renée Lamb, Jade Kennedy and Frances Mayli McCann
Production Company: Playhouse Theatre
Writers: Chris Bush & Miranda Cooper
Director: Amy Hodge
This is our review of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World at Liverpool‘s Playhouse Theatre. So, let’s take a look at Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World!
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World
Background
This Christmas, the Playhouse bursts into life with a new kickass-pirational pop musical coming from the producer behind SIX. So, join our inquisitive heroine Jade when she leaves her class to peek behind the scenes at the soon-to-open Gallery Of Greatness in the local museum. And there, she meets the original and incredible wonder women like Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie and Emmeline Pankhurst. Furthermore, hear stories from history’s strongest mothers, sisters and daughters. Not only are they all independent icons, but they would all change the world. So, this show is a celebration of anyone willing to move. And offering characters and songs to pack a popstar punch, this show will be one to remember!
Analysis
This is one of the most talked about musicals at the minute and I couldn’t wait to see it. Based on the picture book by Kate Pankhurst, who yes, is infact a distant relative of Emmeline Pankhurst, this show promised to bring a “popstar punch”.
Jade is played by Eva Marie Saffery who is already a West End star at such a young age. Jade is on a school trip when her sense of adventure takes hold. She peeks into a section that is currently under construction, The Gallery Of Greatness, which is undergoing its final touches before opening. Jade at first seems a little petulant. She is clearly on her own journey of self-discovery and has a lot of questions. Seemingly about the aforementioned self-discovery but underneath we find out that she’s concerned about her parents’ pending divorce.
She is visited through her time at the museum by some incredible women. Women who shaped the world into what is now. Women who left their mark, some who were there when it happened and some whose notoriety wasn’t realised until their time had passed. Women like Sacagawear, Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst, Agent Fifi, Miss Johnson, Gertrude Ederle, Jane Austen, Mary Anning, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Mary Seacole and Anne Frank. These characters are all played by Jade Kennedy, Frances Mayli McCann, Christina Modestou and Renne Lamb. The cast is well accomplished and all clearly capable performers. These women bring their own stories to Jade, with advice and guidance for Jade, to help her on her journey and to make her own mark in this world.
These journeys were brought to life by the music of Miranda Cooper and choreography from Danielle ‘Rhimes’ Leconte. The choreography was fresh and upbeat. Sometimes we saw a few timing issues with the girls and I felt this could be tightened up, but this didn’t detract from an overall striking performance. The songs were punchy and poppy and my personal favorite number from the show was ‘Mary, Mary and Marie’ where we meet Marie Curie, Mary Seacole, Mary Anning and Marie Christine Chilver. This song was delivered in black pvc costume with a neon accented headpiece which represented the field in which they were fantastically great. Presented in almost a superhero-style fuelled by girl power, this song seemed to ‘lean in’ to the absurdity that all these characters would meet and be around each other at the same time. A tongue-in-cheek moment I really appreciated. The song went on to highlight each of these womens’ achievements and the huge legacies they have all left the world.
The run comes in at a little over 70 mins and it’s paced well. At times it does feel like you’re waiting for the next ‘Fantastically Great Woman’ to appear and can seem like a history lesson at times, which in essence is what it is, I guess. The stand out scene for me is when we meet Rosa Parks. The simplicity of a bench and a story is so beautiful and the song ‘Lullaby Little Girl’ is performed beautifully by Renne Lamb.
Summary
Overall, this family-aimed show is worth a watch. Great one to bring the kids along to. It’s got all the ingredients for a great night at the theatre. Catchy songs, strong cast, eye-catching costumes, slick dance routines and a great story. It’s uplifting, empowering and entertaining
Notes
Target Audience: 6+
Content: None likely to offend
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 8/10 Very Good
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World Further Links
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World comes to the Playhouse Theatre from Wednesday December 8 2021 to Saturday January 2 2022. So, to purchase tickets, please click here.
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