Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World is back! After bursting onto the scene in 2021, and after recieving rave reviews last year, it’s heading out on another hotly anticipated tour. Based on a book by Kate Pankhurst and adapted for the stage by Chris Bush, this musical has arrived at the Quays Theatre at The Lowry Theatre in Salford as part of their Christmas season. We join the inquisitive heroine Jade (Georgia Grant-Andersen) as she breaks away from the rest of her school class to take a behind the scenes look at an upcoming, but currently closed, exhibition titled ‘The Gallery of Greatness’ at her local museum. During her journey she meets a whole host of historical women who did indeed change the world.
As we enter the theatre an array of iconic females soundtrack the pre show with their anthemic songs, think Destiny’s Child - Survivor and Little Mix - Wings. The anthemic music didn’t stop there as our teachers burst into the audience and onto the stage with ‘Quiet Children.' The perfect opener as the teachers led the slightly disruptive school trip with lyrics ‘But what I’d give for a class of quiet children, a minute of peace’. Music (Miranda Cooper and Jennifer Decilved) and lyrics (Chris Bush and Miranda Cooper) are mostly simple and easy to follow, with insanely catchy hooks. The majority of the soundtrack are instant bops that are tinged with inspirational elements from other successful modern musicals.
Each talented member of the cast play several of the twelve world changing women and they were nothing short of incredible with their delivery and storytelling throughout. Elena Breschi embodied Frida Kahlo perfectly with their number ‘World Of Colour’ that could have been taken straight out of Disney's motion picture Encanto. Chlöe Hart’s accents and nuances stood out as well as her comic timing as Jane Austen. Leah Vassell as Rosa Parks brought the intimacy needed during ‘Rosa’s Lullaby’, a powerful and emotional song much needed for the emotional arc of the story. Jennifer Caldwell as Emmeline Pankhurst performing the rousing ‘Deeds Not Words’ was the song needed to fully engage the audience with just the right amount of audience participation. It goes without saying that each performer had the most sensational vocals (a sure fire given considering they have all starred in Six). These fantastic women are changing theatre each and every day by entertaining and more importantly educating.
It’s blantly clear that Six the musical is an inspiration for the creative and casting team. Featuring an array of Six Alumni cast members, the show takes everything that has made Six a huge success from female empowerment to catchy anthemic pop songs with slick dance moves (Choreography by Danielle ‘Rhimes' Lecointe to the crowd pleasing finale megamix whilst also giving the musical its own identity. This show may appeal more to the younger viewer as it is more ‘story’ based and feels very on brand for the younger demographic. That’s not to say that older musical fans wouldn’t enjoy this as there is truly something for everyone.
Despite microphone level issues throughout, this didn’t deter Georgia Grant-Andersen. She plays Jade with the realism of a school child, whilst also with the maturity of someone who has had multiple life experiences. The sound issues did nothing to take away from what is a clever, fun and educational piece of theatre encapsulated by Grant-Andersen’s performance. With inclusivity and diversity at the forefront of the production (including sublime use of sign language), so many of the audience were on their feet at the end of the performance, with smaller members of the audience copying the dance moves of their new heroines. The merchandise stand was a hive of activity as we left the theatre, with little ones keen to know more and buying many of the books available for purchase. It’s refreshing to see young children at the theatre, whilst also educating them in an entertaining way. This show is the perfect introduction into theatre at a young age. It would be difficult for any audience member to leave the theatre without a smile on their face and emotion in their heart.
Despite my initial cynicism, this colourful musical completely won me over. The takeaway message from the show is no matter who you are or what you do, we all change the world in some way, and whilst this musical is very much about the past, it certainly has a bright future ahead of it.
Fantastically Great Women? Fantastically great theatre!
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AD | gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Pamela Raith
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