REVIEW | Six The Musical UK Tour
Six! The Musical UK Tour
★★★★★
How did a musical presented written by Cambridge University students Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 4 years ago become a global phenomenon that everyone is losing their head over? It has a simple structure of telling the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII but by using the women's perspective, catchy songs and an enjoyable night at the theatre..SIX was created!
The show is a sold out hit in the West End (who recently moved into a new palace at the Vaudeville Theatre!), as well as expanding into an international smash hit too! Now the queens are heading on a reign across the country with its UK Tour and its a royal appointment you do not want to miss!
From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of the notorious Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell their side of the story, blending five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an explosive 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. Watch out Spice Girls, there's a new group to overthrow you!
Even as you await for the action to begin, modern pop songs are played on a harpsichord. It gives the audience just a flavour for the herstory you are about to witness when SIX begins.
The basis of the show is easy to follow, the six wives compete to identify who had it worse. At the back of the stage is the exceptional all-female band, identified as the 'ladies in waiting' who bring to life that epic musical score that has been streamed thousand of times by fans of the show. Vanessa Dominique, Frankie South, Kat Bax and Sarah Burrell are fantastic at doing just that!
Putting the theme, direction and premise of the show into action are the six wives. A force to be reckoned with these women ooze sexiness and power but with some great snippets of vulnerability thrown in for good measure too. Lauren Drew, Caitlin Tipping, Leicester's homegirl Shekinah McFarlane, Jennifer Caldwell, Vicki Manser and Elèna Gyasi. The audience absolutely adored every single one of them as they unveiled their individual stories of heartbreak right in front of our eyes. The musical score is unforgettable but some of my favourites from the night are 'Heart of Stone' 'No Way' 'Don't Lose Ur Head' which I will have in my head for weeks now!
Each of their solo numbers add layers on one another until a spectacular finale number of the title number "Six" enables them to unearth the importance of uniting rather than competing against one another. Together their unstoppable and each relatable, accessible and inspiring to other women out there! Even with slick choreography to nail these women do not miss a beat and there's even some fantastic interjection of humour which works so well too.
Although this history happened over 500 years ago, the writing is incredibly clever and the diverse casting enables this show to be educational and relevant for years to come, not just today. SIX is easily one of the best shows I have seen in so long, 80 minutes goes so quickly!
Its the best history lesson I have ever had. Excellent job SIX - you were full of greatness!
Find out more about the SIX UK Tour by heading over to the website here.