Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World is vibrant, colourful and uplifting!

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On Thursday, we went to see Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World at The Lowry, Salford See what our reviewer, Lizzie Johnston thought about this brilliant show...

When you first hear the title ‘Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World’, you can immediately think of one woman, whether she’s a historical figure or an international popstar, there’s a woman in your mind who you think has had a great impact on the world. I had a vague idea of what this show would entail, it’s based on the award-winning Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World book series by suffragette descendant Kate Pankhurst, so it’s bound to include a few of those iconic figures.

The empowering pop musical sees inquisitive heroine, Jade, break away from her class on a school trip and she discovers a whole world in the, not yet open, Gallery of Greatness. Along the way, she meets incredible wonder women: Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Mary Seacole, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst to name just a few.

The standout for me was the talented cast who took on several iconic characters and nailed each one. From quick costume changes to the accent switching, you recognised who each woman was as soon as she entered the stage. Georgia Grant-Anderson (Demon Dentist, Beauty and the Beast, Holby City) takes on the role of 11-year-old Jade who sneaks into the closed off gallery and meets the incredible women. Grant-Anderson ticks every box of how enthusiastic a young girl would be in this moment and we see the character become braver as her belief in herself builds throughout the show.

Jennier Caldwell (SIX, American Idiot, Knights of the Rose) takes on Emmeline Pankhurst and Agent Fifi, Elena Breschi (Kindertransport, Little Fir Tree, LOL! Surprise Live) plays Sacagawea, Frida Kahlo and Marie Curie, Chloe Hart (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Wicked) is Gertrude Ederle, Jane Austen and Mary Anning, and Leah Vassell (SIX, West Side Story) takes on Amelia Earhart, Mary Seacole and Rosa Parks. The all-female cast was amazing, their voices gelled so deliciously together and the chemistry between them was perfect. It emulated a real, strong female friendship group full of love and support for each other.

The set was basic, but there was no need for anything as the whole story revolved around the characters. The three-piece band sat on top of large pillars at the back of the stage and the lights would switch between colours to make the show vibrant. The costumes were fabulous, not a dull shade in sight! Emmerline Pankhurst donned a purple military uniform showing her strength and leadership and Frida’s multi-colour dress was exactly what you’d imagine her to wear. All of the costumes stood out wonderfully against the gray school uniform worn by Jade.

I cannot express how much joy and warmth this show brings, it’s the ultimate reminder of just how limitless girl power is. It’s a sister to the hit musical, SIX, and brings to the stage more historical female figures that we should know and love. A trip to the Lowry over the Christmas period is so worth it for this show.

It’s vibrant, colourful and uplifting but still delivers all the key messages of history making and how hard it was for these women to break through. It’s an unapologetically powerful popstar punch and fits in an insane amount of girl power in the short 80-minute run.