By Hannah Thomas
Perfect winter pick-me-up
On a cold, dark January evening, ‘Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World’ is the perfect pick-me-up.
This energetic family musical fizzes with song, dance and above all, sass, as it introduces incredible ‘wonder women’ from history.
From the producers of hit show ‘Six’, this musical is based on the award-winning picture book by suffragette descendant Kate Pankhurst. It brilliantly brings alive the verve and resilience of the ‘Great Women’, who share their stories – and words of wisdom – with schoolgirl heroine, Jade.
Jade – played by an enthusiastic Rachel Seirian on the evening we saw the show – gets lost on a school trip, and wanders into the disused ‘Gallery of Greatness’ at the local museum. There, she’s astounded to meet a host of inspiring women, from pilot Amelia Earhart to artist Frida Kahlo and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
The roll-call continues with Jane Austen, Rosa Parks and the ‘Marys’ – nursing pioneer Mary Secole, fossil hunter Mary Anning, and scientist Marie Curie – along with cross-channel swimmer Gertrude Ederle, and Sacagawea, a nineteenth-century guide and explorer.
These encounters come at just the right time for Jade, who feels powerless, left behind and unheard. Her parents are splitting up and she’s filled with self-doubt. The ‘Great Women’, via a series of toe-tapping musical numbers, urge her to not give up hope, to work with others to bring about change, and most importantly, to be true to herself.
The catchy songs, with lyrics by Chris Bush and Miranda Cooper, and music by Miranda Cooper and Jennifer Decilveo, range from 1980s electro pop to soulful ballads and rap. A live three-piece band is on stage throughout, performing in cubicles above the stage, and occasionally joining the action below.
The talented, versatile cast – Elena Breschi, Jennifer Caldwell, Chloe Hart, Leah Vassell – play several characters each, switching accents, costumes and moves. They all have tremendous voices and it’s difficult to pick a favourite.
Directed by Amy Hodge, there is dynamic staging – Gertrude’s swimming sequence is among the highlights – and the performers at times move among the audience. The costumes are super, with great use made of colour blocking, helping create a compelling, visual spectacle.
The women’s powerful, positive messages are laced with wit, a ‘can-do’ spirit, and at times, pathos. In a poignant scene towards the end, a young Anne Frank, played by Millie Kiss in her adult stage debut, steals the show with a quote from her diary, “In spite of everything, I still believe people are good at heart.”
In the middle of winter – or indeed, at any time – we can all take inspiration, joy and hope from these great women and their stories.
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is on at Wales Millennium Centre until 21 January – book here