SIX the Musical

Starting life in 2017 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SIX has juggernauted into the stratosphere of musical theatre history – transferring to the West End, then Broadway, and going on to win 35 international awards, including a Tony for Best Original Score (2022), and converting new devotees to the musical theatre fan base. I have no doubt of this last claim after last night’s new tour opening in Brisbane, and its packed-to-the-rafters, enthusiastic crowd. Did I say ‘enthusiastic’? I meant to say ‘fanatically exuberant’! What an amazing atmosphere for our six leading ladies to bask in as they take to the stage!

SIX is a real Millennial musical. Written by Gen Y artists, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss (who, at age 26, is the youngest ever female director of a Broadway musical) the format is akin to an episode of The Voice crossed with a mini Eurovision Song Contest. SIX mashes up history, musical styles, humour and history. To bring medieval mores to life, the show’s style brings in celebrity culture, online dating (will King Henry ‘swipe right’ on the Hans Holbein portrait of Anna of Cleves?), Cyberdog fluorescent dance moves, rap diatribes, and #metoo moments as the wives compare notes on their treatment at the hands of their shared husband and the surrounding court system. SIX addresses some serious issues in a fun and energetic way. But it doesn’t exclude love or pathos either. By the end of the six song/stories, you will appreciate that these women have often been the victims of ‘fake news’, royal propaganda snowballing down the ages, making them mere caricatures. SIX is their chance to shine.

Here are my ‘six reasons to see SIX’:

1. Fabulously talented cast: Catherine of Aragon (Kimberley Hodgson), Anne Boleyn (Deirdre Khoo), Jane Seymour (Loren Hunter), Anna of Cleves (usually Zelia Rose Kitoko, but in the production I saw, played by understudy Chiara Assetta), Katherine Howard (Chelsea Dawson), and Catherine Parr (Giorgia Kennedy). These incredible Queens of the musical stage are all able to belt out a challenging tune while dancing to a range of funky beats – for 90 minutes non-stop. They all rock!

2. Magical mix of songs: SIX’s mix of music genres creates a soundtrack of great numbers. Admit it, most musicals have a couple of ‘album’ fillers but this is not the case with SIX – from rock and hip hop to diva ballads, there’s something for everyone, brought to life by a rock-star cast and showcased through stadium-worthy sound design by Paul Gatehouse.

3. A live band on stage for the duration: Claire Healy (Music Director/keys), Heidi Maguire (Assistant Music Director/keys), Kathryn Stammers (drums), Danielle Colligan (electric guitar) and Ann Metry (bass). These musicians get into medieval character and mash up modern beats, rap, rock, and a few sneaky takes on ‘Greensleeves’ too!

4. Cool costumes: the original costumes designed by award-winning Gabriella Slade are amazing. They are highlighted against a simple but effective set design by Emma Bailey, and spotlit by Tim Deiling’s lighting design.

5. Her-story reclaimed: SIX reclaims a living story for the women formerly hidden in the shadows of their husband’s and history’s shackles – while Henry’s wives are easily lampooned as cartoon-like victims of a mad monarch, it is easy to forget that these were educated, talented women caught up in the machinations of their day.

6. See SIX in its SIXTH: While it premiered in 2017, this year marks the show’s mainstage history – a mere six years! But SIX is already a classic and is slotting in sing-along shows to please its loyal legion of 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 choreographed by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The Australian Associate Director is performer, dancer and choreographer, Sharon Millerchip.

Don’t miss SIX!

After the Brisbane season, SIX tours to Auckland and Newcastle: https://sixthemusical.com.au

Beth Keehn

Photographer: James D Morgan