As a critic, I occasionally over-analyse theatre. I have been known to delve deep into lighting cues, plot points and acting nuances before having allowed myself to just enjoy the show. When reviewing, I have a little black book in which I scribble down my thoughts – often detailing each performance down to the minutiae. For Fantastically Great Women, currently playing at The Other Palace, my notebook is blank. I was absolutely transfixed by the performance; I laughed, I cried, and at the end I left the auditorium inspired and promising that “I will definitely see that again”.
Based on the series of books by the same name, written by Kate Pankhurst, Fantastically Great Women tells the story of a lonely and overlooked child Jade, on a school trip to a museum. Having gotten lost in one of the new, still cordoned-off, exhibits – she encounters a cast of inspirational women famed for their contributions – albeit much too late in some cases. We’re reminded of their daring feats, their impact on future generations through their acts of discovery, art, and literature, and how crucial a force they were in bringing about societal change for women. One after another, they help Jade to realise her power and induct her into the Gallery of Greatness.
While this musical takes a lot of inspiration from Six, with its short, demi-concert style, Fantastically Great Women does have its own voice. Its phenomenally talented cast effortlessly portray a whole host of roles, all of them so good that it’s hard to pull out my favourite characters. Each actress created moment after moment of pure joy. Georgia Grant Anderson’s dejected schoolgirl Jade has a beautiful innocence and is brim-full of youthful energy and brightness – despite her marathon role meaning she barely gets to leave the stage once! A witty and playful Jane Austen, played by Charlotte Jaconelli, seamlessly switching from operatic soprano magnificence (it left me genuinely stunned) to slapstick comedy genius that had the crowd hooting at her punny charm. The tears fell as Rosa Parks sang a beautifully melody, Anelisa Lamola’s husky and soulful voice soothed and felt like a warm embrace. Elena Breschi’s manic Frida Kahlo and Meg Hateley’s cheeky Agent Phi Phi round out the roster superbly.
The set (designed by Joanna Scotcher) and production is refreshingly simple, a barricade of illuminated wooden boxes crowned by a three-strong band, with one percussionist even descending to join the cast for a Stomp-esque found-object percussion moment.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Fantastically Great Women; My only lingering qualm was that I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that there was a lack of true originality. The show has taken many/most of the motifs we associate with Six, though they have attempted to change the formulas slightly. It was most evident during the midway radioactively fluorescent number “Mary, Mary and Marie” which felt like “House of Holbein” with new words. Having received a stand ovation and raucous applause, an unexpected megamix encore seemed overly long and left a slightly jarring end to the show. Whilst energy-packed and very entertaining, again it felt like the MegaSix template had been shoehorned in.
All-in-all, Fantastically Great Women was a great musical. A delicate balance of championing female empowerment whilst remaining light-hearted, fun, and most certainly fantastical. The immensely talented onstage cast and musicians truly shone. Even though it wasn’t always fresh and original, its pure and well-meaning message won me over. If you’re going to use a template – what better template than Six! What better way to summarise my take-home feelings than, as I said at the start, acknowledging that my immediate reaction as I stood up from my seat was “I will see this again”. I have more tickets booked, and I’m taking anyone who’ll come with me!
You can find a link to the trailer if the world tour and original cast album below. Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World The Musical is at The Other Palace until 8th September 2024. Tickets available at https://theotherpalace.co.uk/fantastically-great-women/
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