Six - Teen Edition

The concept of Six - Teen Edition is to tell though a ‘pop-princess’ format, the story of Henry VIII’s six wives. It should be a compulsory part of the history curriculum in schools because I learnt more of the back story of the six wives though the somewhat stylized lyrics of the songs than I ever learnt at school (granted that was a significant time since LOL).

Such is the depth of talent at Darlington APA that the show was double cast with myself seeing the ‘Tudor Von Trapps’ team of Queens (and Ladies in Waiting). There is no doubting this production has hit cult status since being released to youth amateurs and the younger audience members (and some not so youthful audience members) knew every word and action of the popular songs. Thankfully they allowed the cast to perform them rather than singing along. The six queen ‘ex-wives’ ranged in age from 13 to 18 and excelled themselves in their respective roles and individual songs.

Leilla Liddle as Catherine of Aragon was the dependable, long suffering catholic first wife of the king divorced because she never produced an heir and excelled in her ‘No Way’ song whilst Neve Cassidy portrayed the feisty role of Anne Boleyn in a confident manner with much ‘attitude’ as she powered through her song of ‘Sorry, Not Sorry (Don’t Lose your Head)’ as a prelude to her beheading.

Amelie Manton played the role of Jane Seymour with a calm demeanour telling the story of how she gave a male heir to Henry before her untimely death, in her plaintiff song ‘Heart of Stone’. Camryn Mason portrayed the role of Anne of Cleves with panache and a ‘don’t mess with me attitude’ as like the others she put her modern twist of the story as if it was told in our image, social media obsessed lifestyle – her song ‘Get Down’ was delivered with great hutzpah before ending her days as a divorced ex-queen in splendid riches.

Madison Parkinson as the reputedly adulterous Katherine Howard regaled everyone with her ‘All you Wanna Do’ before her exile to the Tower and subsequent beheading. Finally, the one ‘survivor’ Catherine Parr played by Violet Renwick sang with great passion the heartrending song ‘I Don’t Need your Love’

Each ‘Queen’ excelled in their roles before the final clap along finale of ‘Six!’ and subsequent Mega Mix.

A chorus of ‘Ladies in Waiting’ expanded upon the audience’s pleasure and, from small to teenage, all were perfectly synchronised in the superb choreography displayed by Queens and Ladies in Waiting together.

Costumes, Choreography, Lighting plot and soundscape all combined to give a memorable and excellent afternoons entertainment in the presence of Christine Hunter Hughes the NODA National President.

Although not seen congratulations to the ’Royalling Stones’ team of Ladies in Waiting and Queens of Meena Alazzawi (Aragon), Evie Gettins (Boleyn), Freya Moir (Seymour), Poppy Moore (Cleves), Ruby Kennedy (Howard) and Amy Broadhurst (Parr)

Well done to all the girls, and the production team of Paul, Joanne and Laura and all backstage and techie helpers.

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