Six (Teen Edition)

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. Not the normal subject for a hit musical but this fascinating show certainly is as popular now as it was when it was premiered in 2017 at the Edinburgh Fringe.  Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss it tells of the six wives of Henry V111 but roll it on 500 years and we see six sassy ladies as pop icons.

The line up as follows with Ilinca Stanuta as Catherine of Aragon, Maisie Scott as Anne Boleyn, Amber Atkins as Jane Seymour, Maddie Skivington as Anna of Cleaves, Robyn Cable as Katherine Howard and Lily Nguyen as Catherine Parr.  They are all incredibly talented ladies,  telling their own stories in their individual songs  as they bring their very different characters to life.  They are joined by two ‘ladies in waiting’ Mia Coote and Izzy Lungley.  This small cast of just eight are amazing with the quality of their singing in both their solos and the group numbers to the never ending energy and co-ordination they gave to the dances.

The whole show was a full seventy-five minutes of high impact, non-stop singing and dancing to a professional pop concert quality. I also liked the fact that the queens all had hand mics which again emphasised the concert vibe.   The costumes for the queens, all individually designed to their characters and were racy and brought bang up to date. It was performed on an empty stage but with very effective high columns of lights arranged in a semi circle around the back of the stage. The show opened with the six queens silhouetted against the backcloth before the lights came up in ever changing coloured sequences.  A very effective lighting design by Callum MacDonald.  

 This production is a wonderful showcase for young female performers. They did not disappoint and, worth mentioning, with just 6 weeks of rehearsals!  The enthusiasm, effort and talent displayed by the brilliant cast together with a terrific technical team behind them, ensured their audience were treated to a fabulous show. Well done to all the ladies and our grateful thanks, as always, for your hospitality.

Catherine Dixey. NODA East Representative District E12

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