Charlotte Jaconelli, Anelisa Lamola, Georgia Grant-Anderson, Elena Breschi and Meg Hateley in Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World at The Other Palace, London. Picture: Ellie Kurttz
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World continues at The Other Palace, London until 8 September 2024.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
If you’re searching for a dose of female empowerment and a heartwarming sisterhood this summer, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World just might be it. Inspired by Kate Pankhurst’s Fantastically Great Women book series for children, Chris Bush has adapted the stories of 12 inspiring women from history, reminding audiences of the importance of representation and having positive role models to look up to from a young age.
With music by Miranda Cooper and Jennifer Decilveo (lyrics by Cooper and Bush), the show begins with ‘Quiet Children’ during which a group of four teachers (the multi-roling Elena Breschi, Meg Hateley, Charlotte Jaconelli and Anelisa Lamola) sing of the woes of attempting to control a class of unruly children on a school trip. The number is a fun and humorous way to start the show, producing a lot of laughs on press night from an audience empathising with the stress the staff were under.
Our main protagonist, however, is Jade (Georgia Grant-Anderson giving a standout performance), a schoolgirl who ends up taking a peek at the local museum’s not-yet-opened ‘Gallery of Greatness’, having been separated from her school group.
Jade suspects she has been forgotten by her teachers, and allows her curiosity to take over, exploring the exhibition alone. It is here that she meets several significant female figures from history who take her on a whirlwind journey towards self-discovery.
Among the incredible women she encounters are Emmeline Pankhurst, Mary Seacole, Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, Jane Austen, Amelia Earhart and Rosa Parks. The musical is full to the brim with talented, trailblazing women who contributed to a greater good in the world, whether that be to health and science, arts and culture, or politics and activism.
Their presence is an inspiring reminder to women of any age that their potential is boundless, and there is no sector or area of expertise that they shouldn’t be able to enter into with enough hard work and commitment.
Upon meeting such figures, Jade is forced to reassess her sense of self: Who is someone she would be proud to become? What values and interests does she hold dear? What is she unhappy about in her life and how can she change her reality for the better?
The fantastic women continuously remind the schoolgirl that she is anything but forgettable, which is exactly how she feels as the story begins. They remind her she is a young woman capable of anything and everything she sets her mind to, and that she has plenty of time to figure out her future.
Particularly memorable music-wise is ‘A World of Colour’, with Frida Kahlo (the vivacious Breschi) encouraging Jade to form her own conclusions about the world and to never shy away from expressing herself.
‘Rosa’s Lullaby’ also makes quite an impact as Rosa Parks (the vocally impressive Lamola) sits with Jade and Anne Frank (Aaliyah Monk), reassuring them that there is a better world on the horizon if they keep dreaming and believing. I found the number particularly moving and a beautiful example of the love and support women hold for one another.
Other audience favourites and exceptional tracks are ‘Deeds Not Words’ and ‘Where Do You Want to Go?’, both featuring fun dance breaks (there is nifty choreography throughout from Danielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe) and catchy choruses.
The former showcases the uber-talented Meg Hateley as Emmeline Pankhurst, sharing the important message (‘We cannot simply ask for rights/We must be ready for the fight) while throwing in some rap for good measure. In the latter, the ever-versatile and entertaining Charlotte Jaconelli, playing Gertrude Ederle, joins her cast mates in revealing the groundbreaking contribution women made in the world of travel, whether it be land, sea or air.
Joanna Scotcher’s brightly coloured set and costumes add to the joyful atmosphere (as does Zoe Spurr’s lighting), the latter mixing elements of traditional characterisation with a contemporary edge. Credit as well to the delightful musicians, MD Audra Cramer, Nicola T Chang and Isis Dunthorne.
The 80-minute show zips along at quite a pace but director Amy Hodge ensures it is never to the detriment of the storytelling. Hodge also avoids being patronising to the audience, however young, instead making it clear what these women sacrificed in fulfilling their potential and the kind of support they had around them.
Among a few updates to the text, we are reminded that there are more female MPs in the UK Parliament than ever before following the recent General Election. Who knows, after an inspiring night like this at the theatre, young women watching might also be encouraged to follow their dreams.
Eve Attwood
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