“A raucous, original, feisty new musical with nothing but heart”
A hip hop musical about a revolutionary historical figure? Hard not to think about Hamilton but this new female led british story seems set for similar heights. Focused on the lesser known but still inimitable Pankhurst, Sylvia the story has a lot to do and does it well.
The show chronicles Sylvia’s involvement in the Women’s Suffrage movement beginning in 1903 (with a small flashback to childhood) up until 1928 when the The Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act passed – including working class women.
Where the production really shines is the energy and the cast. Every single member of the cast is unique and yet comes together as the most impressive ensemble. From choreography to vocals it’s an impressive display. They also all look to be having the best time – which speaks to the production.
The music from Josh Cohen and DJ Wade is a riot – each number drawing on cultural influences that compliment the moment and message but equally turning the history and stuffiness on its head. It brings colour and light to what is a very dark history. Lyrically Kate Prince and Priya Parmar make the language and story accessible and modernised with huge with and grace.
I was most surprised by the comedy, often in shows with darker historical messages it’s easy to miss moments of joy and laughter but the comedy running through the piece is cleverly placed and should be acknowledged.
Ben Stones set is dreary and bleak, punctuated by pain streaks all in Newspaper black and grey. The effect is strong as it amplifies the importance of the story – not detracting but supporting. Stones is also responsible for the clear and simple costumes – all styled within the period but with implications of more. My favourite being the general coats which i’d buy if put on sale.
The whole show is cleverly punctuated by newsreel style projections from Andrzej Goulding – no images but numbers and light. Often helping move the story along and welcome for clarity.
The Choreography from Kate Prince is integral to the show – the cast bouncing between styles and energy, creating incredible shapes. But it’s gritty and truthful, giving weight to the style and choice of storytelling.
Where for me small issues lie are twofold, It is too long. At 2 hours 40 with an interval there were moments in the first half I felt it must be the end number, only for the show to continue. This is always hard when it comes to biographical shows as the need for exposition often negatively impacts the show run time and fluidity. The second niggling feeling I have is that the show makes Sylvia a veritable angel and provides Emmeline Pankhurst as the villain of the piece. Good versus evil being the main conflict here. Sadly I find a struggle in one dimensionally representing the achievements of both women, particularly as Sylvia seemed to carry on an affair with a married man for many years and yet throughout is held as a paragon of good choices whilst Emmeline is slammed for hers. Additionally it feels counterintuitive to be celebrating one woman’s power while demonising another in the same show. Although it’s clear after a google hole of research that both women were less than perfect. Someone once said to me it’s hard to identify with someone who isn’t flawed because it isn’t real and that’s a little how I felt about Sylvia.
That being said, the production moved me massively. Particularly an incredibly staged moment at the end of Act 1 where the women hold hands in protest and recoil from violence, incredibly impactful. And although the whole cast are really phenomenal, for me, Jade Hackett is the standout, throughout she brings joy and a level of energy which draws you to her – her Lady Jennie Churchill is one of the best things I’ve seen on stage.
Running until 8th April at The Old Vic there’s really no excuse not to catch this incredible production.