SIX (teen edition)

SIX is somewhat of a girl teen cult show but its appeal is much more than that, as it also appeals to this male septuagenarian with its blend of humorous; catchy; soothing; and anthem like classics. Is it too soon to call SIX a ‘classic’ – possibly yes but it is certainly heading that way such is its popularity.

The teens (and pre-teens) of Teesdale OS took on the mantle of all the above, ‘chewed it up and spit it out’ belting out the numbers in a manner that belied their ages. Talking to the director after the production apparently over 60 youngsters tried out for the six queens. Competition was tight but allowed the society to get two casts of queens and a small number of ladies in waiting – one cast were pre-teens with ages ranging from 6 to 12. Supremely impressive to pull off a show at  that age – let alone a show such as SIX with its strong vocals and stage choreography. They did it with aplomb!

Costumes were excellent and really typified what we come to expect from the SIX cast (even if I suspect they would have been considered shocking during the real Tudor period). A quick word about the production – SIX to me is a production imagined by its authors as what the six queens of Henry VIII would have acted  like in a 21st century social media obsessed world, and to that criteria it hits its mark.

Choreography was very good especially in such a space limited playing area and well done to both sets of girls for negotiating the limitations with skill.

The production run as it were from backing tracks allowed consistency albeit not without the odd glitch which the queens took in their stride.

Lighting was bright, colourful and appropriate to the production and sound was loud but not overly so and the vocals of all could be heard well. Well done also on the hairstyles as designed and carried out by Becky Voss, Erin Gentry, Caroline Harland as well as cast and parents.

As to the queens themselves – each one had their own personalities and that was drawn out in the acting and singing of their respective persons. They were played quite supremely by the following (young cast members, followed by teenage cast – 13 to 16 year olds)

Aragon (Eliza Voss/Flo Backes); Boleyn (Jake Shaw/Tilly Gray); Seymour (Sophia Mulvaney/Kallie Henderson); Cleves (Mabel Smith/Chloe Hanks); Howard (Holly Wake/Abigail Buchan); finally Parr (Lola Smith/Holly Newman).

Ladies in Waiting did an excellent job in supporting the queens and adding to the vocal soundscape – Poppy Astrop, Ava Gallagher, Elizabeth Garfield, Amelia Hooper, Betty Porter, Elsie Porter, Emily Ross, Edith Smart, Terri Smith, and Genevieve Twiss. Freya Shepherd-Pegman acted as ‘dance captain’ across both casts.

Well done to Teesdale OS, all its helpers and production team for a fine nights entertainment.

I look forward to seeing The Sound of Music in November…

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