Six - Review
Well its been a hot minute since I've posted anything here but I've recently moved to London so I've been seeing a lot more shows than usual (18 shows in the last 4 weeks to be exact) and with that has come an urge to get back to blogging and getting my thoughts and opinions out of my head. The idea of getting back to blogging has been on my mind a lot in the last week or so but after seeing Six last night that urge has intensified and I just need to talk about it!
Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, Six has been referred to as the UK's answer to Hamilton but, in my opinion, I think it blows Hamilton out of the water (which is saying something cause I freaking LOVE Hamilton). Six is a concert style show from the perspectives of Henry VIII's 'Ex Wives'. The writing is extremely clever and blends history with modern music so wonderfully that it make learning fun and interesting. The music and lyrics give each Queen an individual style and sound which is in turn inspired by iconic female artists of this age (from Beyonce to Adele, from Alicia Keys to Ariana Grande, and many more) with references to both history and modern pop culture. The dialogue in between songs also adds some amazing wit to the story and further enhances the meaning of each song; the upbeat songs become hilarious and empowering, the sad songs become heartbreaking and haunting. And how the queens interact with each other and the audience really sells the whole concert vibe that the show is going for. They really hit the nail on the head with this one.
The cast are insanely talented and all bring something fresh and unique to the stage while also blending together beautifully and making an absolute powerhouse of a girl band. Jarneia Richard-Noel as Catherine of Aragon was sensational and brings so much sass to the role with a voice that could blow to roof off the theatre. Millie O' Connell as Anne Boleyn was so adorable and hilarious. I found that a lot of the comedy in the show came from her role which is something you don't really pick up on by just listening to the album. Natalie Paris as Jane Seymour was just sensational. 'Heart of Stone' is one of my favourite songs on the album and Natalie did not disappoint. Her monologue leading up to the ballad was so heart breaking and then those vocals. I was on the brink of tears by the end of it! I was lucky enough to see Vicki Manser as Anna of Cleves and boy was she fabulous. I've known of Vicki from Bat Out Of Hell and was delighted when I heard she was cast as an alternate in Six; so can you imagine how happy I was when I saw that she would be the first Anna of Cleves I ever saw (however I also really want to see Alexia McIntosh in the role so obviously I need to book myself a few more trips). Aimie Atkinson as Katherine Howard completely surprised me. Her 'All You Wanna Do' was so good and made me think of the song in a whole new way. Her character development in the space of 5 minutes is just insane and you really feel her pain and hurt. And finally Maiya Quansah-Breed as Catherine Parr. Maiya has a voice like butter and could sing me the phonebook and I'd be in awe. Soft and delicate when needed but also strong and powerful. I also don't know if the Queens can clearly see the audience from the stage but from my seat I definitely locked eyes with Maiya on numerous occasions and loved every time. Can only imagine how often she caught me mouthing the words and smiling like an absolute goon. These ladies are just a phenomenal group of insanely talented performers and absolutely own that stage.
Other aspects of the show that I absolutely adored are the fact that the band are also on stage the whole time as 'Ladies in Waiting' with their own costumes to match those of the Queens; the Queens costumes designed by Gabriella Slade which amazingly blends period costumes with modern outfits you would expect to see on the likes of Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Avril Lavigne etc at their own shows and are covered in glitter, rhinestones, studs, and spikes. The choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille and the fact that while you are waiting for the show to start they are playing instrumentals of pop songs but in the style you'd expect to hear at court back in the days of Henry VIII. Its details like that that really makes me fall in love with a production.
As with my other reviews on here, I am also going to include a little bit about my seat for Six. This was my first time at the Arts Theatre and I went with what I have come to believe are the 'cheap' seats in this theatre. Its a long bench at the side of the circle and was sold to me as a restricted view seat but honestly I think I had one of the best seats in the house. I could see everything on the stage, I had no heads in front of me and as I was the last seat in the row I was directly above the stage so I didn't miss a single thing. I loved my seat so much that Im gonna try my hardest to get that exact same seat for all my visits to the show. The staff in the theatre were also very kind, helpful and cheery.
As you have probably already gathered I know I'm going to be back to see Six over and over again and I highly recommend you do too. Six is currently playing at the Arts Theatre in London and is booking until January 2020 so you have no excuse not to see this show and educate yourself on some HERstory!
Photos taken from the official website for Six.
The cast are insanely talented and all bring something fresh and unique to the stage while also blending together beautifully and making an absolute powerhouse of a girl band. Jarneia Richard-Noel as Catherine of Aragon was sensational and brings so much sass to the role with a voice that could blow to roof off the theatre. Millie O' Connell as Anne Boleyn was so adorable and hilarious. I found that a lot of the comedy in the show came from her role which is something you don't really pick up on by just listening to the album. Natalie Paris as Jane Seymour was just sensational. 'Heart of Stone' is one of my favourite songs on the album and Natalie did not disappoint. Her monologue leading up to the ballad was so heart breaking and then those vocals. I was on the brink of tears by the end of it! I was lucky enough to see Vicki Manser as Anna of Cleves and boy was she fabulous. I've known of Vicki from Bat Out Of Hell and was delighted when I heard she was cast as an alternate in Six; so can you imagine how happy I was when I saw that she would be the first Anna of Cleves I ever saw (however I also really want to see Alexia McIntosh in the role so obviously I need to book myself a few more trips). Aimie Atkinson as Katherine Howard completely surprised me. Her 'All You Wanna Do' was so good and made me think of the song in a whole new way. Her character development in the space of 5 minutes is just insane and you really feel her pain and hurt. And finally Maiya Quansah-Breed as Catherine Parr. Maiya has a voice like butter and could sing me the phonebook and I'd be in awe. Soft and delicate when needed but also strong and powerful. I also don't know if the Queens can clearly see the audience from the stage but from my seat I definitely locked eyes with Maiya on numerous occasions and loved every time. Can only imagine how often she caught me mouthing the words and smiling like an absolute goon. These ladies are just a phenomenal group of insanely talented performers and absolutely own that stage.
Other aspects of the show that I absolutely adored are the fact that the band are also on stage the whole time as 'Ladies in Waiting' with their own costumes to match those of the Queens; the Queens costumes designed by Gabriella Slade which amazingly blends period costumes with modern outfits you would expect to see on the likes of Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Avril Lavigne etc at their own shows and are covered in glitter, rhinestones, studs, and spikes. The choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille and the fact that while you are waiting for the show to start they are playing instrumentals of pop songs but in the style you'd expect to hear at court back in the days of Henry VIII. Its details like that that really makes me fall in love with a production.
As with my other reviews on here, I am also going to include a little bit about my seat for Six. This was my first time at the Arts Theatre and I went with what I have come to believe are the 'cheap' seats in this theatre. Its a long bench at the side of the circle and was sold to me as a restricted view seat but honestly I think I had one of the best seats in the house. I could see everything on the stage, I had no heads in front of me and as I was the last seat in the row I was directly above the stage so I didn't miss a single thing. I loved my seat so much that Im gonna try my hardest to get that exact same seat for all my visits to the show. The staff in the theatre were also very kind, helpful and cheery.As you have probably already gathered I know I'm going to be back to see Six over and over again and I highly recommend you do too. Six is currently playing at the Arts Theatre in London and is booking until January 2020 so you have no excuse not to see this show and educate yourself on some HERstory!
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