Fanny

'You're not stupid for wanting things to change, Fanny – it's just that we have to play the music that gets handed to us.'

Meet Fanny Mendelssohn. You'll probably know of her younger brother Felix, from nineteenth-century smash hits like 'The Wedding March'. He was such a huge star that Queen Victoria requested a private concert, during which she sang her favourite of his compositions, a song called 'Italien'.

The only problem is, that particular piece was actually composed by Fanny, though it was published under her brother's name.

When Fanny intercepts the letter inviting Felix to play for the queen, she decides to hide it away, don her brother's clothes, and take his place at the palace…

Calum Finlay's play Fanny is a joyful and irreverent comedy celebrating music, family and – at last – the work of a composer overlooked because of her sex. It opened at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, in 2024.



Calum Finlay is an actor, writer and director, who has worked extensively with the RSC, Almeida, National Theatre and Theatre Royal Bath amongst others. He is an Associate Artist of Playbox Theatre.



'Incredible... this note-perfect tale of sibling rivalry and forgotten musical genius is a comedy masterpiece... a superlative slice of Mischief-adjacent shenanigans... full of rapid-fire verbal gags, convincingly painful slapstick, creative staging, well-rounded leads and brilliantly quirky oddballs... sublime'



'All I can say is move over Mincemeat, this play does not go wrong... say hello to the best new farce we've had in a while... Fanny has real potential to create a splash on the London theatre scene'



'A raucous evening of slapstick, satire, and soul, Fanny is both a celebration and a reclamation. It is clever, riotously funny, and unexpectedly moving. This is a story that demands to be heard—finally, and gloriously, on Fanny Mendelssohn's own terms'



'A wonderfully witty and well-informed delight, earthy and elegant by turn... catch this while you can – a warm, funny, life-enhancing and eye-opening musical comedy'



'A riotous, irreverent yet enthralling play... brisk and light-hearted with plenty of laughs... hilarious'



'A pithily written riot of a good time... Finlay's writing is stuffed with musical innuendos and quips, and full of witty wordplay'



'Witty and fast-paced... a fun-packed outing'



'A fast-paced play full of fun, wit, farcical physical theatre and wonderful performances... hugely enjoyable'



'A fierce and fiery portrayal of a woman facing a crossroads as her personal and creative aspirations collide... a wealth of puns, quick one-liners and fiery exchanges... powerful and deft... completely engrossing'



'Triumphant... terrifically funny... the jokes come thick and fast... Written with real care for its central figure, this is a surprisingly stirring comedy... a wonderful and witty night of theatre'



'A caper-filled and pun-fuelled tale... a really fun piece of theatre'



'Spirited and irreverent... a well-researched version of Fanny's story, blending historical fact with a healthy dose of comedic invention... a heartfelt and entertaining evening that gives Fanny Mendelssohn a long-overdue moment in the limelight'