Six Teen Edition

What a show!  I felt I was privileged to be able to review such a stand-out production, where all the elements combined to make it something memorable (for all the right reasons).

The set was simple, but really enhanced the feel of the piece – from the crown above the throne with coloured lights, used with effect, to the lighting towers – the overall effect being brought together with a terrific lighting plot.  So simple in concept, but intricate and effective.

Mostly sound was good, however I found it hard to sometimes hear what was going on stage right, as I was sat stage left, but I know people seated stage right heard very well, but also maybe felt stage left wasn’t as prominent, which I know is a problem sometimes, but it was not sufficient to detract from the overall excellence of the show.

I loved the costumes – which I was told had been made by the Society members, a big shout out to them, as everything was colourful and suited the personalities of the performers.  The ladies-in-waiting all dressed in grey with their hairdos echoing their respective Queen’s, was an excellent ploy, to just tie things together.

Musically the cast were on point – good expression, humour, pathos, anger, and all things inbetween, I did note that a couple of the ensemble lost character when not in the immediate action, which was a shame.  I can’t fault the cast on their attention to detail with regard to the score.

The choreography was imaginative, and very slick.  I thought everyone performed the moves with seeming ease, and so polished – well done.

Saphie Meischke (Catherine of Aragon) was resplendent in purple, creating a good character with plenty of attitude.  Saphie was charming, whilst showing her whimsical approach to the other wives and her situation.

Emily Upton (Anne Boleyn) had an air of youthful innocence and disbelief at her fate.  Her orange costume stood out, she sang with assurance.

Rosie Wemyss-Cook (Jane Seymour) was very sassy, striking in her lime green costume and showing her angst extremely well – very expressive and edgy.

Katie McCreedy (Anne of Cleaves) gave a more measured performance, looking both regal and quirky in red, I liked her approach to the character.

Amelia McCreedy (Katherine Howard) was the rather ditzy Queen, in her charming pink outfit, a lighter approach to the others, despite her eventual fate, again well-achieved.

Lily Bottomley (Catherine Parr) completed the Six, an altogether more serious portrayal, befitting her character’s station, with lots of understated edginess.  Well done.

As a group of diverse characters I could not fault the Queens.

The Ladies-in-Waiting – Darcy Daly, Eva Arlow-Hartlib, Isla Randall, Poppy Croucher, Ruby Stern and Siobhan Welch made a big contribution to the look and sound of the show, and served their Queens well.

I would like to thank HD&OS for their hospitality, which is much appreciated.

Nova Horley

NODA Representative - NODA East District 3

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.