What a vibrant and incredible musical! It was all so uplifting and really brightened a grey February evening. It also couldn’t have come at a better time for me – I could always do with a pre-Spring boost. If you could too, here’s why you should see it!
The narrative follows a young girl, Jade (Georgia Grant-Anderson), who gets lost in a museum exhibition and all these excellent women role models step up and try to advise her on what she can do to move forward in her life. It was so inspiring to hear from all the different characters and the unique experiences they shared with her, helping her to draw her own conclusions and get closer and closer to her own truth. It was also inspiring to see such incredible performances from this small group of women – every single one of them was so multi-talented!
All photo credit from here downwards to Pamela Raith Photography, courtesy of the Belgrade Theatre
I was really pleased with the diversity of the cast which I think further highlighted the intersectionality of true feminism and how it has changed throughout time; from activism to record-breaking women, icons of art and science and people who simply were good at what they did and deserve to have their names recognised! It didn’t just hype up the ‘big’ names either; of course, Rosa Parks, (Leah Vassell) Emmeline Pankhurst (Jennifer Caldwell) and Jane Austen (Chloe Hart) featured, but also there were some lesser known ground-breaking individuals that you may not have heard of.
The costumes were so beautiful and well put together, creating a cacophony of colour that matched the vibrancy of the music and the story. A particular highlight for me has to be the representation of Frieda Kahlo (Elena Breschi) – she absolutely stole the show! It really lifted me up to hear her opening line… “Don’t look at me! I’m a mess! NO! Wait… Look at me. I am a MESS!” To someone like me who worries so much about their appearance, it just reminds me to embrace myself in all ways!
The musical was so well orchestrated with a visible in-house band up on platforms above the stage (in a similar style to SIX the Musical.) I really enjoy being able to see the band and have them be a bigger part of the production! In fact, it had very similar vibes to SIX, in that it was a really well put together, feminist play that champions the stories of women. If you’ve seen SIX, definitely make this musical the next one you go to! (Looking into this, I realise that some of the cast were in SIX before!)
It captured the heart of women’s history without being preachy – it toed the line SO perfectly between educational, heartfelt, hilarious and progressive. It is something I’d encourage every mother to get their teenage children to see, plus anyone who wants to just have a bit of fun, and learn about some exceptional women through the lens of childlike wonder.
I will leave you with some amazing quotes from some of these Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World! Go forth and feel empowered, ladies!
“Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and abandon oneself, to be light.” – Frieda Kahlo
“Deeds, not words.” – Emmeline Pankhurst
“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” – Jane Austen (Pride & Prejudice)
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie
“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart
