Sylvia - musical review

Sparking a revolution and determined never to stop until change is made, Sylvia is the narrative of a trailblazer often missed in favour of her mother, Emmeline Pankhurst, despite her differing and notable contributions to the feminism movement. Her often untold story captures an essence of passion as she forges a pathway through history to get all women the right to vote.

With resilience and activism at its core, this musical explores early 20th century Britain, and the political stances of the era. Clocking in at 2 hours 50 (including a 20 minute interval), it appears a comprehensive account, as audiences journey through the years of rebellion. Its lengthy runtime questionably detracts from the power of the narrative in part, but equally provides opportunity for the incredible cast to demonstrate their immense talent. Without clear sequences that could be cut, it is tricky to establish a potential alternative to tighten the snappiness for even greater impact.

Blending hip hop, funk, and soul, entwined with modern comedic bouts, Sylvia engages intently with its fresh perspective as a force to be reckoned with. The set is bleak and grey, brought to life with streaks of red and pops once flooded with Kate Prince's choreographic storytelling. This illustrates the fierce nature of those with a vision for a better society, and highlights that it was never a solo mission. Being able to share such a crucial message about equality through the medium of theatre, educating and continuing to give a voice to those who fought so hard for it, is so important, and a firm reminder that we cannot ever take concepts like women's rights for granted.