Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World

[jek]

I live in Stratford, Stratford East is a ten minute walk from my front door, and all three of my children have been to local schools. I can see this production really appealing to those for drama trips - a good introduction to live theatre for youngsters who don't routinely get to go 'up West' for shows. Good call by the theatre to put this on. Should hit the same seam as the previously staged Glasgow Girls and The Wolves.

[fiyero]

I saw this in Stratford on Saturday and had a great time. It was my third time after the opening venue of Southampton and closing venue of Chichester in the first tour. It has gone through a bit of work with a new opening song, new pre-set which is used during the first song and more. 
I didn't like that Jade is no longer played by a child. While the actress playing her was great (and the understudy at that) I really liked in the original one that it gave a chance to shine to a younger actress. I know having a few girls so they can alternate is tricky, especially touring though. I'll spoiler the next bit

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}Bearonce has been removed and Jade is no longer hiding on purpose looking for adventure, she is left behind and her absence isn't noticed by the teachers.

I still find it odd as well that a different actress plays Anne Frank. She wasn't credited in the original programme so I assumed it was a late change but I still don't think she is credited in the new programme. It means  it is definitely a cast of Six, I am not sure if they are trying to make a link to that show or not! 

I see the show is off to Edinburgh, I hope it has a life after that too, but I cannot see it landing in a West End Theatre. 

[FrontroverPaul]

Jul 4, 2022 14:12:50 GMT fiyero said:

I saw this in Stratford on Saturday and had a great time. It was my third time after the opening venue of Southampton and closing venue of Chichester in the first tour. It has gone through a bit of work with a new opening song, new pre-set which is used during the first song and more. 
I didn't like that Jade is no longer played by a child. While the actress playing her was great (and the understudy at that) I really liked in the original one that it gave a chance to shine to a younger actress. I know having a few girls so they can alternate is tricky, especially touring though. I'll spoiler the next bit

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}Bearonce has been removed and Jade is no longer hiding on purpose looking for adventure, she is left behind and her absence isn't noticed by the teachers.

I still find it odd as well that a different actress plays Anne Frank. She wasn't credited in the original programme so I assumed it was a late change but I still don't think she is credited in the new programme. It means  it is definitely a cast of Six, I am not sure if they are trying to make a link to that show or not! 

I see the show is off to Edinburgh, I hope it has a life after that too, but I cannot see it landing in a West End Theatre. 

I saw this in Chichester too and thought the young actress playing Jade gave a superb performance. Booked to see it again in Canterbury with my partner but no longer looking forward to it quite so much.

If School Of Rock and Matilda can tour with a whole group of talented youngsters I am surprised and disappointed that  (presumably young but) an adult actress now has the lead role. Especially given the title it does seem inappropriate to have an adult play a child role

It's a perfect show for school-age groups being both entertaining and educational but I think that to see someone of their own age group take the leading role would make it more inspirational and special for most young people. 

[Mark]

Very cute show, although I’ll agree it compared unfavourably to Six. The songs were fun, the book scenes a bit laboured. Great for school groups though!

[ploverlover]

Anyone seen this yet? 

We’ve booked to see it in Chichester in February. Heard one of the songs on EP’s Sunday show and liked it so thought we’d take a punt. 

[BurlyBeaR]

Threads merged

[fiyero]

Nov 30, 2023 13:49:38 GMT ploverlover said:

Anyone seen this yet? 

We’ve booked to see it in Chichester in February. Heard one of the songs on EP’s Sunday show and liked it so thought we’d take a punt. 

I love this show, there have been a few versions over the last couple of years and (apart from the fact the real child girl is now an adult playing a child) it gets better and better! I'm seeing it again in Chichester too and can't wait, the new cast looks fab too!

Edit: the actresses playing the girl have been fab, but it felt more real with an obvious age difference.

[creakingstool]

I watched this last night at The Lowry, Salford. Took 3, 14 year olds girls along.

I enjoyed it, the theme of the show is great and well put together with some fun use of props. Really enjoyed the cast performances, and the on stage band were good. Wasn't keen on some of the costumes but in general it was fun and bright.

I agree with others that it feels more for a younger audience but in saying that we all enjoyed it and were glad we'd watched.

Such a shame that it wasn't close to being full, even with a 2-4-1 offer from Manchester Theatres. I paid £12 a ticket for tier one, row one a few days ago.

You can see that this has a SIX connection, a number of the cast had been in the SIX performance we had seen on tour which the girls were excited about but we probably wouldn't watch this again whereas we all want to watch SIX again.

[jackstage]

Nice to see that they are suggesting an imminent future life through their socials. Wonder if another UK tour is on the way, reckon it could sell pretty well on the West End?

[venoose]

It’s getting a Summer run at The Other Palace. Tickets on sale Monday 20th of May.

[ploverlover]

I loved this little show when we saw it in Chichester - so much so we went back the next night.
Had an email today with a presale offer at a seemingly healthy discount. Couldn’t resist.
Assuming it will be a new cast?

[appoul]

TodayTix has some quite good offers for this. Worth checking them out.

[unseaworthy]

What is the air conditioning situation like in the Other Palace? How does it cope in a heat wave?

[ladidah]

Thinking of seeing this, a bit wary if it's like Matilda though (the tones/songs are not my taste)

[unseaworthy]

Think Six rather than Matilda. Its pop/rock, very colourful and there are no child actors. I enjoyed it, plus its 90 mins without an interval meaning the last train home is not a problem!

[Musical_Manda]

I've seen this show on tour and at Edinburgh Fringe and loved it so headed back to The Other Palace last week. It's so much fun and some super catchy songs. The stage here is a little small so it felt crowded at times but it was still excellent (no major changes since the tour/Fringe). I really liked Meg Hateley and Elena Breschi! Here is a link to my review if you're interested. musicalmanda.site/2024/07/26/fantastically-great-women-who-changed-the-world-review/

[amyja89]

Just booked to see this in September. £15 TodayTix offer plus my £4 membership tier credit = £11 total. Can't complain!

[happysooz2]

I booked the same offer! Taking two ten year olds who love Six, so I am hoping they enjoy it.

[FrontroverPaul]

I've also booked, 3 September. - enjoyed this at Chichester and Canterbury so this will complete a hat trick.

If there's an offer on Spies Are Forever matinee at the Gillian Lynne I'll add that,

[Dave B]

Aug 5, 2024 9:40:30 GMT amyja89 said:

£15 TodayTix offer

Thanks for the heads up, my better half is really keen at that price! Booked

[amyja89]

Aug 5, 2024 12:38:20 GMT Dave B said:

Aug 5, 2024 9:40:30 GMT amyja89 said:

£15 TodayTix offer

Thanks for the heads up, my better half is really keen at that price! Booked

Happy to help! Gives me one less thing to think about on that Thursday in September. Only have to contend with the Rush for a matinee. Currently a toss up between Hadestown and Next To Normal but they both seem to be the hardest rush tix to obtain!

[happysooz2]

This was fine. I think that the Six comparisons are lazy and very kind to this show. It feels like a show for kids, very TIE and very fringe theatre.

Interesting to read about how it has changed. Jade is now left behind at the museum because she was getting someone’s inhaler from the coach and is a ‘good girl’ who isn’t listened to and her parents are getting divorced. Clearly they have written some songs, and the book is being iterated on. I sort of wish Bearoncey was still in it😹

But…it’s inclusive and highlights some incredible women. The cast give it their all. It has charm but no chutzpah.It’s only just over an hour long.

It would be a really good first theatre experience for a seven year old.

[fiyero]

Aug 7, 2024 21:19:17 GMT happysooz2 said:

This was fine. I think that the Six comparisons are lazy and very kind to this show. It feels like a show for kids, very TIE and very fringe theatre.

Interesting to read about how it has changed. Jade is now left behind at the museum because she was getting someone’s inhaler from the coach and is a ‘good girl’ who isn’t listened to and her parents are getting divorced. Clearly they have written some songs, and the book is being iterated on. I sort of wish Bearoncey was still in it😹

But…it’s inclusive and highlights some incredible women. The cast give it their all. It has charm but no chutzpah.It’s only just over an hour long.

It would be a really good first theatre experience for a seven year old.

Justice for Bearoncey!

I love this show (not seen the most current run) but did prefer a real child in the part. Nothing against the ladies who have played the part and I guess if you never saw it the original way you wouldn't know. 

Do they still pretend it is a cast of 5? (to avoid the direct comparison with Six I always assumed!)

[PineappleForYou]

I thought this was just okay. I kinda expected more and I don't think it was the same fun for adults as it would be for children. It certainly has a lovely message though and taught some great history. "World of Colour" is a really great tune and very well executed even if Frida Kahlo's costume disintegrated mid performance this afternoon 😂

It's a cast of 5 until Anne Frank pops up from no where. Seems strange to have a performer for such a limited part in a small cast.

[capybara]

Found this to be a really wholesome, enjoyable way of spending an afternoon (and furthering my own education at the same time!). Fantastically Great Women is a little pocket rocket of a show at 80 minutes without an interval and it really does pack a lot in.

The narrative centres around Jade (played by Georgia Grant-Anderson), a teenage girl who has somehow stumbled upon an out-of-bounds exhibition on a school trip to a museum about women who made a difference. Of course, the message is rightly that everyone can and does change the world in their own way.

Musically, it is in the same vein as Six, although pitched at a younger audience. As mentioned above, although it is predominantly for children, I certainly learnt about a few women of historical note that I shamefully did not know much about before. The cast did a tremendous job bringing it alive with infectious enthusiasm permeating throughout.

A standout performance came from Meg Hateley as Emmeline Pankhurst and Agent Fifi. Elena Breschi was equally as brilliant as Frida Kahlo, while Anelisa Lamola and Charlotte Jaconelli’s portrayal of Rosa Parks and Getrude Ederle were great too.

The audience was made up of lots of young girls with their parents (almost exclusively with their mothers). It did occur to me that this is exactly the sort of show mums and dads ought to be taking their SONS to see, given how important educating boys to respect women is. Sadly, there were not many lads with dads (or mums).

Charlotte Jaconelli didn’t appear for the final number or bows so hopefully she was OK? Thankfully Summer Priest was on hand to see the show through to its conclusion.

Ultimately, it’s unlikely to be a repeat visits show purely because of the lack of any real and meaningful narrative. I’m not its core audience. But I do think Chris Bush deserves immense credit for creating this charming and important show for a young audience of theatre-goers.

Three stars.