Hull New Theatre – until 10th April 2022
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
5*****
Hull New Theatre buzzed with energy as the Queens of Six hit the stage last night, we had waited two years to see this performance and we were not disappointed.
Six was created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss to be performed by The Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society at the Edinburgh Fringe and takes the form of a pop concert with the Queens vying to be declared the Queen who had the worst experience with their husband Henry VIII. Each Queen tells their story in a bid to be declared the winner, making digs at the other Queens in a bid to score points.
At times the music was frenetic, as in the wonderfully mad “Haus of Holbein” but then it would be poignant and heart wrenching as for example Jane Seymour (Casey Al-Shaqsy) sang “Heart of Stone”. Whether solo performances or singing as a girl band, the performances were wonderful, the pace of the production was phenomenal, zipping along so fast with laugh out loud moments as the Queens sniped at each other or commented on their husband. Gabriella Slade’s fabulous costumes added to the experience, each suiting the character of their Queen perfectly. The set design by Emma Bailey was deceptively simple and Tim Deiling’s lighting design helped create the pop concert experience.
It would be wrong to single out a Queen for praise, as even when they were singing a solo piece this was very much an ensemble piece, safe to say the vocals were outstanding. Chlöe Hart (Catherine of Aragon), Jennifer Caldwell (Anne Boleyn), Casey Al-Shaqsy (Jane Seymour), Aiesha Naomi Pease (Anna of Cleves), Jaina Brock-Patel (Katherine Howard) and Alana M Robinson (Catherine Parr) you rocked and you ruled that stage!
The band aka “Ladies In Waiting” were on stage throughout the performance and were absolutely superb.
What I didn’t expect was to come away from the theatre having learnt something new, but I learnt more about the Queens at Six then I ever did in history at school! Six will also make you realise that the Queens had no control over their lives and that what we know about them is very much from a male perspective.
Six has no interval, which makes perfect sense as to stop it would break the energy of the performance. It is also short at 80 minutes, and I would have happily watched more but the stories were told and, in a sense, it reflects their lives which were short too.
Six is vibrant, fun and full of sassy women and fabulous music. It’s a cracking night out and if you get the chance you should go to the court of Six to be regally entertained.