Extraordinary Women (novel)

Extraordinary Women is Compton Mackenzie's twentieth novel published in 1928. It is a satire set on the island of Sirene, a fictionalized version of the real island of Capri, and his second novel to be set in this location. The novel features many characters that are recognizable caricatures of lesbian women Mackenzie knew or knew of, including author Radclyffe Hall and artist Romaine Brookes. The novel features an ensemble cast of primarily female characters, many of whom are lesbians. The plot deals primarily with the romance between Rosalba Donsante and Rory Freemantle, although other minor characters play a role within the novel as a whole.

In 2021, the novel was adapted into a musical by Richard Stirling and Tony Award winner Sarah Travis. It had its premiere at Guildford School of Acting, and featured Lucy Appleton as Rosalba, Josephine Feit as Lulu/Ligeia, Alice Gold as Olimpia/Sappho, Tizane McEvoy as Cleo/Miss Chimbley/Leucosia, Kaela O’Connor as Zoë/Olga/Parthenope, Emily Peace as Rory and Theodore Yannopoulos as Daffodil/Attikos/Captain Wheeler/Carmine/the Marshal.

In 2025, the adaptation had its professional premiere at Jermyn Street Theatre London, "featuring a fantastic cast" of West End performers comprising Caroline Sheen, Amy Ellen Richardson, Sophie-Louise Dann, Jasmine Kerr, Monique Young, Amira Matthews and Jack Butterworth. It was directed by Paul Foster and choreographed by Joanna Goodwin. The production was nominated for four Fringe Theatre Awards, for Production, Ensemble, Choreography and Costumes.