It’s really easy in these reviews to say things like ‘you’ll never see a show like this‘ but when it comes to SIX, which is back at the Swansea Arena this week, we really mean it. This is a theatre show like no other, in fact it’s unfair to label it as simply a musical.
First thing to say is that SIX definitely has more of a concert vibe than an actual piece of musical theatre, and it works all the better for it. Think of something between the two and you’ve got the idea. The Queens light up the stage, with a resounding ‘Hello Swansea‘ and from that moment it really is non-stop.
It’s one act, an hour and 20 minutes of incredible songs and comedy which leaves you both breathless and definitely wanting more, which is why a lot of the audience last night have seen this show more than once.
This is what the SIX newbies and regulars thought about the opening night performance…….
This is the story of the Tudor Queens that are the Six Wives of Henry VIII transformed into Pop Princesses. They grab their mics to tell their tales, basically remixing and reframing their story. Cramming five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century sisterly sass-itude.
The show itself comes with a lot of statistics – it’s an incredible viral hit, particularly with its fanbase of young musical theatre lovers. As for the album, it is the second most streamed cast album in the world (listen to the soundtrack at the bottom of the page). But seeing it live on stage is where the real joy is.
I’ve been blessed to see SIX many times, from its early performances in a small London venue, right through to it’s UK tours at some of our bigger theatres. Each time, including last night at Swansea Arena, you leave energised and can’t stop talking about what you’ve just seen.
Straight away you’ll notice how incredible the costumes are. GABRIELLA SLADE has turned out some really stunning outfits which give our Queens an edgy look and not at all the four plus layers the real life Queens would have worn. I think if old Henry would have these wives in Court it’s he who would have lost his head.
The set by EMMA BAILEY makes you feel you’ve landed in the middle of a Little Mix gig, and with the pop concert style lighting designed by TIM DEILING, with it’s ever-changing beams and flashes, you really do see the lines blur between musical and gig.
It is however, the amazing vocals from each of the ‘Queens‘ which bring this piece together. They sing and dance life their lives depended on it, and in the case of the plot, that’s exactly what it is.
We come to the show for the Queens and these royal favourites do not disappoint. The performances are always first-class, and the current touring company have delivered once again.
I think we need to remember this is a tragic tale with each of the six wives of Henry VIII telling their story, both collectively and individually. Catherine of Aragon (NICOLE LOUISE LEWIS), Anne Boleyn (LAURA DAWN PYATT), Jane Seymour (ERIN CALDWELL), Anne of Cleves (KENNEDY SMALL), Katherine Howard (LOU HENRY) and Catherine Parr (AOIFE HAAKENSON) are brought to life with a modern take on a centuries old story. But amongst all the glitz and glamour, the songs and dancing, there is a lesson to be taught, and perhaps one to be learned too.
IZI MAXWELL, TAMARA MORGAN and SHAKIRA SIMPSON (Dance Captain/Super Swing) and ELLIE JANE GRANT are with the cast as Alternates.
On stage throughout the show, and as much a part of the SIX story as the Wives, are the incredible all-female band THE LADIES IN WAITING, under the Musical Director/Keys: SARAH DYER. On guitar is LOLA BARBER. JIHEA OH is on Bass, AMANDA DAL plays drums and PHIJ ADAMS looks after Music Technology.
From the moment we hear Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived. We are taken through six lives and six very differing stories, the one common bond is they were all married to Henry.
The wives each give us their account of life with the big man, and collectively they battle it out over who had the worst time of it (personally I think they all had a pretty crap time with him). As an audience we feel sympathy for each of them, but we also laugh and sing-a-long too. This is a joyful show to watch with the cleverest of twists on a stuffy old history lesson.
There are lots of moments when we learn things you may not know about these women, and I’m not going to spoil any of them, but the way they are portrayed, and how the songs are written, makes them instantly relatable to a modern crowd. Like when Anne of Cleeves sings that Henry didn’t approve of her Profile Picture.
The music doesn’t let up for one second as we go from Queen to Queen, with each of them taking on a different Pop Princess Persona. Lyrically the songs are smart, funny, thought provoking and actually, when you cut through it all, historically accurate.
The Ex-Wives opener gives us an introduction to each of the Queen’s story and how they fit into Henry’s life. From there we are treated to absolute belting songs which Arianna and Taylor would be proud of. We even get a bit of Techno as the girls don the luminous glasses, the lighting shifts into full on ‘house’ mode as Anne of Cleves belts out ‘House of Holbein‘.
I have been bleating on about SIX, to anyone who would listen, since I saw it all those years ago in London. It is so different, and so original that it really is a must-see. What you get on stage is one thing but the SIX fans are really something else. Those in the know, go absolutely crazy for our six Pop Queens.
If you’re unsure whether this is for you, put your head on the block, grab a ticket and get along to see it. SIX is a Super-Smart, Sassy, Sexy, Shameless Stage Sensation. It really is one of a kind in every possible way and worthy of the title ‘Global Phenomenon’. We are lucky to have it here again, but it’s also a testament as to just how good this show is.
SIX is at the Swansea Arena through to Saturday 14th January – what a way to bring in the New Year. Performances again are at 8pm with earlier shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more details go HERE although the run is quickly heading towards a sell out.
The next stop in Wales is Venue Cymru from Tuesday 13th through to Saturday 18th February. Performances are at 8pm each evening, with a 6pm show on Wednesday and Friday. There’s also a 4pm performanceTickets and more info can be had HERE.
Finally, we grabbed a couple of pictures of SIX mega-fans on the last visit. Heres AMY, along with her music loving sister HEATHER. We love them and thought we’d share again.
