Wales Millennium Centre

Cardiff

18/01/2024

“It’s Marie Curie!”

A small girl’s voice ringing out across the auditorium in delight as she sees one of her heroes represented on stage sums up Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World. Adapted by Chris Bush from the picture book of the same name by Kate Pankhurst, this is a show that celebrates women past, present and future.

Introducing a variety of historical figures, such as Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo, Gertrude Ederle, Emmeline Pankhurst and Sacagawea, this whistle-stop tour of women’s history is carried on a score of upbeat pop songs as each woman tells their story. The recipient of these stories is Jade, a young girl who has strayed from her school tour group and found herself in the off-limits Gallery of Greatness. Finding herself in trouble as a result of the unseen labour she took on to care for her classmates, and questioning why she doesn’t get a say in decisions in her life, Jade is the perfect character to ask the right questions and demonstrate the importance of having role models you can recognize yourself in.

Though the show feels, at times, like it has tried to cram a little too much into its 80 minutes, dashing through depictions of women in history and bringing in questions about Jade’s parents’ divorce that it doesn’t quite manage to address, it is a joyful celebration of women’s achievements that is sure to leave audiences buoyed and reminded of their own power. In its staging as well as its story, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World forefronts women, from quite literally highlighting a kick-ass drum solo and spelling out references to contemporary icons with Joanna Scotcher’s colourful neon light-box set, to the captivating on stage BSL interpretation.

Reminding us that we “stand in the spot carved out by the women before us,” Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World” is an uplifting and engaging family show that provides a memorable introduction to intersectional feminism and women’s history.

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World runs at Wales Millennium Centre until 21st January 2024, before continuing its tour.