Dangerous Daughters

Dangerous Daughters is a musical which focuses on the Pankhurst family from around 1910 through to the first World War

It is an ideal show for a predominately female cast as it concerns women and women’s issues.      

Sami Underwood played a convincing Emmeline Pankhurst. Her ruthlessness and dedication never being overstated, this was a perfectly controlled performance and one to be proud of.

Andrea Sharkey as Christabel Pankhurst (Emmeline’s eldest and favourite daughter) showed both strength and fragility in her performance and was much appreciated by the audience.

Sarah Comerford as Sylvia Pankhurst gave us an imperious and troubled artistic young woman. The compassion for socialism came through strongly – a convincing performance.

As Adela Pankhurst, Lizzie Droy gave us the fragile idealist who longed to be included but was often overlook by her mother and sisters. I thought that “This is Me – Where did the Future go” in Act 2 particularly poignant. Well done.

Matt Lampitt as Harry Pankhurst appeared every bit the romantic, dominated by a house full of women.

Helen Craggs was sensitively play by Niki Wolstenholme. There was a close connection with Harry which the audience were very aware of and the emotion was not overplayed. Sensitive direction here, thank you.

Sadie Cole in the role of Annie Kenney, ex-mill girl and in love with Christabel, gave us an enchanting and yet at times mercurial and even cruel portrayal of this young girl from the middle classes. Accent was convincing and the change of pitch and pause was controlled. A very polished performance.

Julie Markey as Emily Davison gave us a radical and driven member of the WSPU who threw herself under the King’s horse at the 1913 Derby. Here we had a creative moment of physical theatre as she disappeared under the horses’ hooves. This worked perfectly.

The remainder of the cast all contributed 100% to the story line and performance and I was most impressed how all members of the cast took responsibility for moving boxes, railings or any other items that needed repositioning. 

The music was real tour de force and it was obvious that every member of the company had worked extremely hard to perfect the difficult harmonies and counter timings. Well done to you all.

Costumes were well thought out, hair styles in keeping with the period and footwear appropriate.

The movement was slick and well-choreographed by Ella Martin. Excellent use was made of the limited playing space.

The set worked convincingly, and the projections and film footage displayed in 10 giant picture frames on the back wall allowed the audience a further experience which underpinned the action on the stage. 

All in all this was a very pleasing, if at times rather emotional and thought provoking, yet stylish piece of theatre. 

John and I thank you for your hospitality and hope to see you again soon.

Vicki Avery Noda Rep’ District 9.

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