Contrary to Ed Sullivan’s version of history, the British Invasion wasn’t all lank-haired boys with guitars and Cuban heels.

“I thought it was about time the women got their fair share of the attention for the incredible influence they’d had on North American pop culture,” says Amanda Wood, who brings her show From Britain with Love to the Cultch (1895 Venables Street), on Thursday (July 16).

The 90-minute spectacle combines film and video clips with Wood’s powerhouse voice to bring a little balance back to the picture, honoring the distaff side of the UK’s musical diaspora from Dusty Springfield all the way to Adele.

Those two artists happen to be particular favourites of the Victoria-born Wood, who originally put together From Britain with Love when she was handed “a blanks slate” for the Kay Meek Centre’s 2015 cabaret series. She promptly assembled a crack band that includes muscial director Miles Black (keys), David Sinclair (guitar), Steve Hilliam (sax), Joel Fountain (drums), Graham Clark (bass), and Aimée Sulz (backing vox).

Dusty, naturally, is the towering genius by which all other British vocalists are measured. It’s a good fit for the sultry Wood, who tackles “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”, “Wishin’ and Hopin’”, and “Son of a Preacher Man”. But she’s equally enamored of Springfield’s life.

“I lean towards Dusty for the courage she expressed, knowing about her personal life now, being a closeted artist at that time,” she says, adding that Springfield’s beef with the South African government in 1964 was no less righteous. Her contract included a clause calling for integrated audiences. She was rewarded with the boot after two shows.

“And she donated all the money from those first two concerts to organizations in South Africa fighting Apartheid,” says Woods. “I think she was just an amazing, amazing woman.”

As for From Britain with Love, it’s brimming with amazing women. The first act tackles the ‘60s through to the ‘80s, with Springfield, Pet Clark and Cilla Black among those paving the way for the likes of Kiki Dee— “The lyrics are so powerful, and the melody is so kickass,” Wood says of  her 1974 hit “I Got the Music in Me”—and closing with '80s divas including Sade and Annie Lennox. 

“When we hit that synthesized bass line in 'Sweet Dreams', let me tell ya’,” reports Wood, “people went crazy. It was incredible.” There’s a Bond medley along the way, while a show-stopping closer in the shape of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” tops the '90s and contemporay portion of the second act.

“The Beatles shifted the world off its axis,” says Wood, “but we’re past the point where these artists are due for recognition. What better chance to celebrate all of it together?”

From Britain with Love comes the Cultch on Thursday, July 16