From the first notes of this new musical the diminutive figure of Georgia Grant-Anderson possesses the stage with song and movement, performing her little heart out. She plays Jade, a schoolgirl lost in a museum where she meets the Fantastic Women of the title. This framing device allows for an exploration of gloriously dressed women of achievement. In-between the dazzling song and dance numbers, eleven year old Jade tries to find her way in the world, negotiating her uncertainty as to what she wants, and the treacherous waters of her parents’ divorce.
The musical is based on a children’s book by Kate Pankhurst (yes, distantly related to Emmeline, leader of the Suffragettes), with four lead cast members depicting twelve important women. Elena Breschi is magnificent as the flamboyant Frida Khalo (my favourite scene), but equally wonderful were Anelisa Lamola as Amelia Earhart, Charlotte Jaconelli as Gertrud Ederle and Meg Hateley as Agent Fifi. There are the rousing stories of scientist Marie Curie, activist Rosa Parks, nurse Mary Seacole and author Jane Austen, but also of less well-known pioneers such as Sacagawea, a linguist and guide who explored the passage to the west of what is now the USA; and Gertrude Ederle who swam the English Channel aged 20. Flexible scenery and props turn the stage into the sky by making an aeroplane with two flaps, or a roll of shimmering cloth becomes the sea. The platform lights up when the action becomes more dramatic.
Three talented musicians (2 keyboards and drums) sit on a platform behind the action providing live accompaniment to the strong singing voices of the women. At last we have some imaginative lyrics with clever rhymes – something so many other musicals are missing these days. Miranda Cooper and Chris Bush obviously put much thought into making the tone of the book and lyrics uplifting and using language to comic effect. Cooper and Jennifer Decilveo’s music turns the songs into pulsating dance numbers, writhing with energy, seen in songs such as ‘Deeds not Words’, ‘A World of Colour’ and ‘Fantastically Great’, all with strong messages behind them. The flip side to these are the poignant scenes with Anne Frank and ‘Rosa’s Lullaby’.
The costumes, as much as the history, are main features here with purple, yellow and orange jump-suits, day-glo military fatigues and plastic raincoats with vibrant piping. They all say, in the words of one of the songs, ‘Tell the world I’m here.’
Programmes aren’t often described in reviews, but this one is so good it is worth mentioning that it is both well designed and informative. It acts as a colourful educative guide for those who don’t know about the women that are being portrayed in the performance, a sort of instruction manual for a young audience.
This is a great fun night out, an extravaganza for the family, aimed at young women and girls as an inspiration for their goals. At 80 minutes long, you feels as though you are being whipped through a journey on a fast-running train. It has something of the Theatre-in-Education feel about it – and it is a lesson worth learning. Viewing for everyone under 16 years of age should be compulsory. Schools take note!
Director: Amy Hodge
Stage Adaption: Chris Bush
Cast: Georgia Grant-Anderson, Elena Breschi, Meg Hately, Charlotte Jaconelli, Anelisa Lamola
Lyrics: Chris Bush & Miranda Cooper Music: Miranda Cooper & Jennifer Decilveo
Choreographer: Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe
Musicians: Audra Cramer, Nicola T. Chang, Isis Dunthorne
Until: 8 September 2024
Running time 1 hour 20 minutes