SIX! Talk about re-writing HIS story. Go the girls! And not just the SIX queens, the all-female live band (aka ladies-in-waiting) are on stage too.
Those SIX queens in case you didn't already get the memo, are the SIX wives of Henry VIII - and they're telling THEIR story.
Back by popular demand in Sydney, the SIX wives of Henry VIII are reclaiming their thrones at the Theatre Royal Sydney with an enhanced theatrical experience!
Buzzing. Lively. Upbeat. SO MUCH FUN!
Well what an absolutely marvellous surprise this show was. I loved everything about it from the all-girl performers in fabbie glam rock costumes, to their all-singing all-dancing performances, to the original music and the (no sorry not sorry, no spoilers here) story.
Opening night at the Theatre Royal Sydney and the audience went crazy - clapping applauding cheering, climaxing with the whole audience standing up in ovation for the curtain call.
Each of the wives brought such a defined and magnified personality. You could not split them if you really had to pick a favourite. Each just fabulous in their own unique way. Ladies, so much sass!
Playing the first wife of Henry VIII, the sassy Catherine of Aragon is Phoenix Jackson Mendoza. The rule-breaking second wife Anne Boleyn is played by Kala Gare, Loren Hunter takes on the role of the loyal third wife Jane Seymour, the independent Anna of Cleves is played by Kiana Daniele, Chelsea Dawson takes on the role of the playful fifth wife, Katherine Howard and Vidya Makan plays the empowering Catherine Parr.
Some of the stretch that I was particularly keen on tonight was the Australian drawl penetrating the lyrics, the splattering of humour throughout the show, from facial expressions, gestures, movements right through to pregnant pauses. Actually. That use of pauses were timed so powerfully, and in comedy as they say timing is everything. But the pause, it is indeed brave. So huge courtly curtsies for that theatrical device.
You know the story already: divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. Or do you?
Only until 1 October, Theatre Royal Sydney.
Since its early days as a student production in a 100-seat room at Sweet Venue during the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SIX has continued its reign and become a global phenomenon. Its Studio Album has achieved in excess of 450 million streams across all platforms worldwide, over 3 billion views on TikTok and has recently reached Gold status.
Recently SIX has victoriously recommenced on the West End, across the UK and on Broadway it has won 2 Tony Awards – to Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss for Best Original Score and to Gabriella Slade for Best Costume Design, 4 Drama Desk Awards and 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Musical. SIX was nominated for five Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and won the 2022 WhatsonStage Award for Best West End Show, voted for by the public. Most recently the London cast performed live in front of the Royal Family as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s televised ‘Party at the Palace’ celebrations in honour of the Platinum Jubilee, watched by a UK audience of over 13 million. The original West End cast also performed live from Hampton Court Palace at three sold-out performances to a combined audience of over 9,000 fans.
SIX The Musical has book, lyrics and music by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. It is directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage and choregraphed by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. Set Design is by Emma Bailey, Costume Design is by Gabriella Slade, Lighting Design is by Tim Deiling and Sound Design is by Paul Gatehouse. The Orchestrator is Tom Curran and Musical Supervisor is Joe Beighton
Originally Produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes, and George Stiles
Produced in Australia by Louise Withers, Michael Coppel and Linda Bewick
