Review: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, EdFringe 2022

Pleasance Courtyard – The Grand

Review: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, EdFringe 2022

Summary

Rating

100

Unmissable!

An exceptional new musical that brings the stories of incredible women to the stage in an exciting, vibrant production.

Fantastically Great Women is a fantastic new musical that is everything I wanted and more; brilliant performances, exceptional choreography and set/lighting design. It is an inspiring, funny, beautiful production that everyone should see!

This show uses clever lyrics in catchy original songs, alongside exciting choreography and stage design, to create works of inspiration. It tells the tales of great women from history – Mary Seacole, Emmeline Pankhurst, Mary Anning, Marie Curie, Agent Fifi, Jane Austen, Rosa Parks, Frida Kahlo, Sacagawea, Amelia Earhart, Anne Frank and Gertrude Ederle - in an engaging, beautiful way. 

The phenomenally talented cast of six demonstrate brilliant choreography and stunning vocals whilst telling an inspiring story. The set design is colourful and engaging and the lighting is stunning throughout; a rainbow of colours light up the stage and band, who sit on top of the set and can be seen throughout. This provides an exhilarating and engaging performance, with one band member even joining the cast on stage for a number, adding further excitement.   

The costumes and props are bold, bright and brilliant. They stand out and help tell the story of these fantastic women as much as the clever lyrics and dialogue. With the use of fantastic direction and movement, the stage is transformed into the sea, the sky, a gallery, a mountain, which ensures the show remains engaging throughout.   

The cast’s ability to multi-role as different characters is incredibly impressive, as their accents and mannerisms change between scenes. The character Jade (Kudzai Mangombe) keeps the story moving, acting as its inquisitive, enthusiastic protagonist.   

We have here everything you might want from musical theatre and more: an inspiring new musical highlighting the fantastic women history often forgets, with a fantastically talented cast, creative team and band.  

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Adapted by Chris Bush
Directed by Amy Hodge
Lyrics by Chris Bush and Miranda Cooper
Music by  Miranda Cooper and Jennifer Decilveo
Set and Costume design by Joanna Scotcher
Choreography by Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe
Lighting design by Zoe Spurr
Sound design by Carolyn Downing and Rob Bettle
Orchestration and Music Production by Jennifer Decilveo

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World plays at EdFringe 2022 until 29 August. Further information and bookings here.