Theatre Review - Six

Six                      

Book, Music & Lyrics by Tony Marlow and Lucy Moss 

Directors Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage

Photo credit James D. Morgan

Theatre Royal Sydney

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

Six has reopened at the Theatre Royal more than two years after its first incarnation. The musical about the wives of King Henry VIII now has a cult following, with audience members chanting, "Divorced! Beheaded! Died! Divorced! Beheaded! Died!". Despite the beheadings, it's upbeat and I enjoyed the bitchy comments (“Nice neck”) and the diverse casting. 

If it was in joke form, it could start with, “An Australian, a Singaporean, a Filipino/Australian, an Englishwoman, a French/Australian and an African/Australian walk into Hampton Court…” The diversity in productions of late is pleasing. In the most recent production of The Rocky Horror Show, a Chinese actress played Janet, one of the most white bread roles in musical theatre. 

Six is a modern musical that's ultimately about the past, present and future power of women, and all of the cast members are strong, experienced and well-credentialed triple threats.

The music and characters were inspired by and modelled on well-known performers.

Catherine of Aragon, played by Kimberley Hodgson, was inspired by Beyoncé and Shakira. Deirdre Khoo as Anne Boleyn was influenced by Lily Allen and Avril Lavigne. Loren Hunter’s Jane Seymour was based on Adele and Sia. Nicki Minaj and Rihanna inspired Anne of Cleves, played by Zelia Rose Kitoko. Chelsea Dawson’s Katherine Howard came from Ariana Granda and Britney Spears. Giorgia Kennedy, as Catherine Parr, drew from Alicia Keys and Emeli Sandé.

Choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, directors Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage and music director Claire Healy ensure that the pace is non-stop.

The show is basically a girl group performing around a theme. It’s like The Spice Girls with talent. The show will also appeal to younger people who are not traditional theatre-goers. In that regard, it would be great to see more quality productions like Six.