First look at new musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

Here’s a first look at new musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World.

The brand new pop musical is currently playing at MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton head of a UK tour.

An adaptation of suffragette descendent Kate Pankhurst’s award-winning picture book, the musical is written by celebrated dramatist Chris Bush (Nine Lessons and Carols, Almeida Theatre), Number 1 hit songwriter Miranda Cooper (Girls Aloud, Sugar Babes) and Jennifer Decilveo.

Fantastically Great Women, Frances Mayli McCann and cast, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Frances Mayli McCann and cast, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb and Eva-Marie Saffrey, credit Pamela
Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb and Eva-Marie Saffrey, credit Pamela
Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Jade Kennedy, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith Photography
Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Jade Kennedy, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith Photography
Fantastically Great Women, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith Photography (05)
Fantastically Great Women, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith Photography
Fantastically Great Women, Eva-Marie Saffrey and Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith (21)
Fantastically Great Women, Eva-Marie Saffrey and Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith

Starring on the cast are Christina Modestou (Carousel, The Winter’s Tale SIX), Renée Lamb (Ain’t Misbehavin’, Little Shop of Horrors, SIX), Frances Mayli McCann (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Heathers), Jade Kennedy (Les Misérables, Billy Elliot) and Shakira Simpson (Hairspray).

The creative team is completed by Amy Hodge as director, Joanna Scotcher as designer, Dannielle Lecointe as choreographer, Zoe Spurr as lighting designer and Carolyn Downing as sound designer.

Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Jade Kennedy, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith Photography (06)
Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Jade Kennedy, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith Photography
Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith (17)
Fantastically Great Women, Renee Lamb, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Jade Kennedy, Frances Mayli McCann, Eva Marie Saffrey, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Jade Kennedy, Frances Mayli McCann, Eva Marie Saffrey, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Jade Kennedy, Christina Modestou, Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith (15)
Fantastically Great Women, Jade Kennedy, Christina Modestou, Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith (12)
Fantastically Great Women, Eva-Marie Saffrey, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith

Join our inquisitive heroine Jade as she breaks away from her class to take a peek behind the scenes at the not yet open Gallery of Greatness in the local museum. Along her journey she is surprised to meet the original and incredible wonder women: Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst to name just a few.

From explorers to artists, scientists to secret agents, hear the stories of some of history’s strongest mothers, sisters and daughters; all independent icons who really did change the world.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World will be celebrated by anyone who is prepared to move and be moved. With characters and songs that pack a popstar punch, this new show for ages 6+ is guaranteed to be one to remember!

Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, Renee Lamb, Jade Kennedy, credit Pamela Raith Photography (07)
Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, Renee Lamb, Jade Kennedy, credit Pamela Raith Photography
Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, Frances Mayli McCann, Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, Frances Mayli McCann, Renee Lamb, credit Pamela Raith
Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, Frances Mayli McCann, Eva-Marie Saffrey, credit Pamela Raith Photography (03)
Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, Frances Mayli McCann, Eva-Marie Saffrey, credit Pamela Raith Photography
Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith (18)
Fantastically Great Women, Christina Modestou, credit Pamela Raith

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World plays to 20 November at MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton before moving on to Norwich Playhouse (23 November – 5 December), Liverpool Playhouse (8 December – 2 January), Aylesbury Waterside (5 – 8 January), Chichester Festival Theatre (12 – 16 January).

For tickets and more information, fantasticallygreatwomenthemusical.com

About the author: Josh Darvill

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.

 

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