You don’t have to wear a blue cape, spandex, or a mask to be a superhero. The real heroes are the people who make the biggest impact by doing something seemingly ordinary, which turns this world of ours into the most extraordinary place, filled with great possibilities.
The latest production from the pen of Chris Bush, FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD, which is at the Wales Millennium Centre for the rest of this week, is a pop musical with a bit of history thrown in, a little like the phenomenally successful SIX. So it may come as no surprise that both shows have the same producers.
While this show is no SIX, it is a fantastic fun, pop-filled musical treat which will certainly attract a similar audience and also those who have read the children’s picture book by Kate Pankhurst on which it’s based.
Before I tell you more about my experience, which was great if I’m being honest, here’s what last night’s audience thought of the performance, along with Leah Vassell who is in the show. Fans of SIX may also recognise her from that musical too…….
The show is not only great fun but the messages are cleverly told, which make them easy for children to learn, and for us older kids to be reminded about those who have gone before us and the impact they made. There’s a lot to take in but it’s neatly put together in bitesize pieces, which make them easy to follow in the most fun way.
The young heroine Jade, played last night by RACHEL SEIRIAN breaks away from her class to take a sneaky look behind the scenes at the not yet open Gallery of Greatness in the local museum. She stays, rather than going home and meets one incredible woman after another: Rosa Parks, Mary Seacole and Amelia Earhart (LEAH VASSELL) Frida Kahlo, Sacagawea and Marie Curie (ELENA BRESCHI). Gertrude Ederle, Jane Austen and Mary Anning (CHLÖE HART). Emmeline Pankhurst, Agent Fifi and Miss Johnson (JENNIFER CALDWELL).
I’m sure there’s a few historical figures you recognise immediately, others maybe not so much. With a mix of explorers, scientists and secret agents, I learned so much about these incredible women who I had a limited recollection of but was pleased to put my historical facts into context, in a far better way than My Johnson ever could in my history class back in the day.
Each of these characters burst onto the stage in a variety of wild, colourful and funky outfits by JOANNA SCOTCHER, who also designed the set, singing songs that became instantly recognisable. Sorry to draw comparisons with SIX again, but like that show, this feels new, fresh and yet familiar.
As for the musical soundtrack, that comes from pop writing royalty MIRANDA COOPER and JENNIFER DECILVEO. Two songwriters who have a catalogue of chart-topping hits with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud, Beth Ditto and Miley Cyrus. Which gives me a chance to mention the band, a three piece all female outfit who make the most fantastic sound. There’s Musical Director AUDRA CRAMER who plays keys, NICOLA T. CHANG on Keys and Percussion and belting out the drums ISIS DUNTHORNE.
You can listen to the soundtrack at the bottom of this page.
The songs come thick and fast, with one mixing into another with a little well documented history in between. There’s a few stand out numbers too, in particular for me ‘Mary, Mary and Marie‘ which bring Mary Seacole (Jamaican Crimean War nurse – 1805), Mary Anning (the 1799 Lyme Regis fossil hunter) and Marie Curie (Nobel winning scientist), together. The song is great but having just watched SIX recently I was reminded of the brilliant ‘House of Holbein’ number. Nothing wrong with that however, they’re both good.
There’s only one ballad (Lullaby Little Girl) which is sung by civil rights protestor Rosa Park, and for me is one of the stand out numbers. It will leave you breathless. We also get a helping of rap in the military like ‘Deeds Not Words‘ which is a perfect example of how the historical tale can be told in a modern, fun way. I also really loved ‘World of Colour‘, which I have to admit I was playing in the car on the way home.
If you’re looking for feel-good then it can be found at the Wales Millennium Centre this week. I don’t want to say this is a children’s show but it is very much geared towards a younger audience, who absolutely loved what was on stage last night.
I always like to look around the auditorium during the performance and last night I could see everyone having a great time, with a lot of laughing and smiling from Mum and Dad, Grandma and the kids.
This is a perfect introduction to some pretty meaty subjects and a great way to bring the kids into important areas of our history. This is definitely a show to be enjoyed by families who will keep the conversation going long after they leave the theatre. There’s a moment or two when you will have a lump in your throat, even cynical old me most certainly did towards the end.
FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Sunday 21st January. Performances are at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There’s a 4pm show on Friday and Saturday and 3pm on the Sunday afternoon.
Tickets are from £15, with discounts available for members, groups, under 16s, students. For more details and to get yours, go HERE.
Age guidance: 7+ (no under 2s)
Take a look at our original feature HERE.
