VOTE: The Musical – Ed Fringe 2025

VOTE: The Musical: Paradise in Augustines – Studio

21st August 2025

★★★★★

VOTE: The Musical follows three middle-class women, focusing on fictional Mary Abbott, as they discover the Suffragette movement. Set around the 1908 Hyde Park rally, the story highlights Mary’s arrest, prison abuse and eventual release, leading to electoral equality decades later. Having received good feedback following its debut in 2024, VOTE celebrates female resilience, power and empowerment.

This new musical from Phoebe Perry is heartfelt, moving and features some serious talent. Parry is just 18 years old and is definitely one to watch as an up and coming new writer! The original songs are extremely well written and the direction means that every moment is utilised. The use of a narrator (Katie Kenny) really helps to guide the audience through the story and introduce the characters – particularly important in a short show. 

There is a talented young cast with some really standout performances from Daisy Bauer, Lexi Lott and Matilda Reed. The ensemble numbers are well performed with some nice harmonies and the soloists perform with conviction and passion. Some of the ensemble male songs have a slight reminiscence of Frank Wildhorn‘s Jekyll and Hyde which works well considering the era and theme.

The choreography is fitting with the show and is neat, considering the small stage and centre pillar to navigate. Musical Director, Jonathan Gale is superb on the piano providing all of the backing accompaniment throughout the show. The minimalist set comes alive with the clever use of coloured lights, further adding to the emotion of the show. 

Parry’s writing tackles the suffragette movement really sensitively and includes other difficult and demanding themes such as domestic violence and the male hierarchy. It doesn’t shy away from violence and brutality as the Holloway prison scene shows and whilst there are a few moments that do not quite fit or slow down the pace overall this show is packed full of emotion and with editing could easily be extended. The celebratory ending of the show reminds the audience of the hope that the suffragettes felt and that the fight is still on for women to be truly regarded as equal.

VOTE: The Musical has real heart and showcases some brilliant talent, both on and off the stage. Whether you know a lot about the suffragette movement or nothing at all, this new musical will take you on an emotional journey. Definitely one to catch! 

For more information and tickets click here.

AD – PR invite in exchange for a honest review.