Review: Fantastically Great Women The Musical
This week we headed to Lighthouse Poole to see a new musical Fantastically Great Women the Musical
Based on the book Fantastically Great Women That Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst, the musical begins with a group of teachers running through the audience, trying to round up their class so they can enjoy their school trip.
The story then follows eleven year old heroine Jade, who fears she has been forgotten and left behind on the school trip, so she hides out in the Gallery of Greatness where she sings a Matilda-esque song about being forgotten about and ignored.
Jade is then propelled into meeting some of the most famous women in history, into a series of exciting escapades, led by figures including Amelia Earheart, Sacagawea, Gertrude Ederle, Emmeline Pankhurst, Jane Austen, Frida Kahlo, Agent Fifi (aka Marie Christine Chilver), Mary Seacole, Marry Anning, Marie Curie, Rosa Parks and Anne Frank.
The sets are colourful and fun, with some great effects, but it is the music that really makes the show. Done by the producers of Six, each song could easily be a pop classic and there are definite girl band dance moves to match. In fact, we cannot wait to download the album when it becomes available next week.
Stand out songs for both Eliza and Isaac are Deeds Not Words by Emmeline Pankhurst, with audience participation strongly encouraged. The Four Mary’s song was my favourite, as it featured local hero Mary Anning and some, quite frankly, awesome costumes.
Frida Kahlo’s colourful song had you dancing in your seat, but all the songs are fabulous, captivating audiences young and old.
The show is all about female empowerment as Jade learns about choice, control, influence and mind set from each character, so she can take herself forward enables to make her own way in the world and be proud of who she is, but also learning that nobody changes the world alone.
However, this show is not just for girls. Isaac went with his friends from school and they all equally enjoyed it and learned the same lessons too.
The show is a short one in musical terms, just 90 minutes long with no interval, so perfect for a first introduction to the theatre and finishes with a sing / dance along. Just make sure you have a comfort break before it begins.
We loved Fantastically Great Women the Musical and it is on at Lighthouse Poole until Sunday 12th June, with the tour continuing to London, Canterbury and Edinburgh.
Disclaimer: We were invited along to see Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World The Musical, for the purpose of a review. All thoughts and opinions are our own
