By Rachel Adams
A PLAY about how ridiculous it would be if women ruled the world.
Even if it’s starring, written and directed by women some would say there’s already a problem with that concept.
But despite that, Women In Power is a raucous delight from start to finish.
Opening last night at NST City the musical comedy is based on The Assemblywomen by Aristophanes – an Ancient Greek playwright working in c. 446 – c. 386 BC whose plays were shown to audiences of up to 15,000 people at a time.
Intended as a critique on the weakness of leaders at the time and what would happen if women were to take over the government there’s plenty for a modern audience to relate to.
Written by Wendy Cope, Jenny Éclair, Suhayla El-Bushra, Natalie Haynes, Shappi Khorsandi and Brona C Titley there’s not a dry moment in the whole night.
Asking questions like “can equality ever go too far” whilst strapped with appendages made from blow-up bananas the cast’s infectious charisma turns the show into a puerile but brilliantly timed ‘Carry On Equality.’
The deliberately tacky backdrop of faux Greek columns topped with a ginormous pineapple and terracotta warriors is a nod to the fads and the passage of time while the colourful costumes and lurid lighting turn musical numbers into a surreal and fantastically anachronistic version of ancient Greece.
There are many, many laughs in this bawdy, raucous comedy but even if you’re not a fan of lewd slapstick you’d be hard pushed not to giggle throughout.
With more cock and balls than a Love Island finale the fun songs, quick jokes and fantastic ensemble make this Greek satire anything but a tragedy.
Yet more proof that Nuffield Southampton Theatre’s city centre programming is right on point.
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