Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 29th October 2022
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
SiX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, has taken the world of musicals by storm since it was first performed in 2018. After seeing it tonight I can understand why.
The show tells the story of Henry VIII’s wives, but taking a modern spin on the way the story is told. The wives each take turns in presenting their story, in the format of a pop concert, trying to portray themselves as the one who suffered most at the hands of their husband. The one who garners the most sympathy will become the lead singer of the band.
The Queens collectively introduce themselves as Six before launching us into the opening number “Ex-Wives”. An exhilarating start which breathlessly segues into an introduction of the band, called Ladies In Waiting (carrying on the Tudor theme and onstage throughout). This show has obviously been rigorously researched as evidenced by “Greensleeves” being woven into Anne Boleyn’s song (legend has it that Henry wrote the song for her).
The first two Queens, Catherine of Aragon (Chloe Hart) and Anne Boleyn (Jennifer Caldwell) were the funniest in their personal interplay together and they had powerful, witty songs – Boleyn’s was “Don’t Lose Ur Head”. But Jane Seymour (Natalie Pilkington) singing “Heart of Stone” gave (for me) the emotional zenith of the evening with a power ballad of excruciating beauty.
“Haus of Holbein” (introducing Anna of Cleves (Jessica Niles) brought a huge grin to my face with the neon green edged ruffs and sunglasses. To compose a song in the House music style and have it sit seamlessly with the other songs in a musical setting shows a deft touch that does the creators credit!
Our final Queens (Katherine Howard, Leesa Tulley and Catherine Parr, Alana M Robinson) rounded out the musical evidence for the prosecution (of Henry) with two more emotionally charged barnstormers before the final ensemble number (more on that later)…
The costumes were stunning and had subtle allusions to each wife’s fate (Boleyn and Howard wore chokers, signifying their beheading) as well as, naturally, green sleeves for Boleyn. Not only visually striking but beautiful too.
The set was minimalist (basically a set of panels edged with lights) yet effectively employed to convey a church door and cross (for a religious moment) whilst hinting at a talent show backdrop. It also mirrored the theme of the dresses, tying the whole production together nicely. For a show to have no costume or scenery changes and yet to hold our attention throughout is a testament to the quality of the music, script and performances. Impressive!
In the end the ex-wives pooled their resources and came together to reclaim their own voices from history, recognising their importance as individuals in their own right, not just as adjuncts of their husband’s legend. Uplifting stuff.
A sparkling production from all concerned on every level. I enjoyed it far more than I imagined I would (given that I’m stuck in the 50s-70s music wise). I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing it again. SiX of the best – a spankingly good show!