Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World At Kings Theatre, Edinburgh Review

Reviewed by Emily

Fantastically Great Women who changed the World opened at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh last night. It is based on the series of Fantastically Great Women book by Kate Pankhurst who is distantly related to one of the famous women we have all heard of- Emmeline Pankhurst!

The mainly female audience was treated to an uplifting history lesson about significant women who have changed the world we live in for the better. This was done in a child friendly manner but was more than suitable for adults, who I’m sure would all have learned something they didn’t know last night.

We meet Jade who feel slightly insignificant and forgotten about both at home as her parents’ divorce and at school. On a school trip to the museum, Jade gets separated from her class and enters the out of bounds exhibit on fantastically great women.

To begin with, she meets Amelia Earhart, Gertrude Ederle and Sacagawea, the women all from different times in history, parts of the world and walks of life are cleverly woven together to build their story. The scenery was cleverly used to demonstrate what they did to leave their mark on the world.

After that Jade meets Emmeline Pankhurst, the author Jane Austen and Freida Kohl. Next was my daughter’s favourite scene with Secret Agent Fifi, the selfless Mary Seacole, British palaeontologist Mary Anning and the scientist we have all heard of, Marie Curie. Dressed in black and fluorescent the Mary/Marie’s sang their hearts out as they told their stories.

Rosa Parks is very still very relevant in today’s life for the difference she has made to equality in America and across the world. The final great woman in the show was Anne Frank with a touching reminder of what people have endured in the past.

Fantastically Great Women who changed the World cleverly portrayed how these amazing women have really made a difference to the world we live in today but the real take away from the show was that whatever we do, we all leave an imprint on the world however small!

All ages of the audience were captivated from start to end. The show’s recommended age of six plus is the perfect age to enjoy the learning about these wonderful women. My 10 year old daughter was absolutely spellbound, the songs were fun and catchy and in many different styles, from rap to a lullaby.

The scenery was bright and creatively used to add depth and dimension to the show. The onstage orchestra was integrated into the performance and the audience was encouraged to participate.

I would highly recommend the show to anyone to everyone. Fantastically Great Women who changed the World runs at the king’s Theatre in Edinburgh from Tuesday, the 26th of April until Saturday the 30th of April. With showings at 7pm and a matinee on Friday and Saturday at 3pm. The runtime of the show is one hour twenty five minutes, so it is a great introduction to theatre for the younger audience.

Rating: 4.5/5

King’s Theatre, Leven Street, Edinburgh
www.capitaltheatres.com
01315296000
tickets from £15.50
26-30 April 2022