We reviewed the current production of 'Six' earlier in its run. This review is an updated version of a previously published one.
In a moment which almost felt full circle, tonight gave me an opportunity to revisit the last show I saw at Wolverhampton Grand before a pandemic closed the industry down for almost 24 months. It's a West End transfer that's been described as ‘the most uplifting piece of new British musical theatre’ - and the performance this evening exceeded all expectations.
Somewhat unique on the theatre landscape, Six The Musical run's for just over an hour, with no interval - and that's not the only way that the show reinvents the genre. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a 75-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.
Staged very much in the style of a concert, this production is loud, seductive and in your face, commanding your attention from the moment the first note hits. With five Olivier nominations and seven from WhatsOnStage - including 'Best Off West End Production', which the London incarnation of the show won in 2019, Six is very much a tour de force and a piece of theatre to be reckoned with.
The show mixes historical aspects with a myriad of current references and a nod to the fact that, even a few hundred years later, there's still a lot of relevance in this story. The addition of some brilliant wordplay makes for a thoroughly engaging show and one which has developed a cult following in a very short space of time.
It's clear to see why Six has become one of the most popular shows on the planet. With catchy songs, amazing choreography and six of the most talented women in musical theatre on stage, alongside an all female band of ladies in waiting, this is ultimately the show that so many musicals wish they could be.
Normally, this is the part where I rave about a handful of the cast - but I think that would be near impossible without acknowledging that what made this show tick is the energy and the chemistry between all six of our leading ladies. Each had an exceptional voice, commanding stage presence and bought a personality-driven slant to the roles which was well received by the audience. The harmonies are tight, the chemistry on point and it genuinely felt like these girls had been together for decades, such was the slick, rehearsed nature of the piece.
Lauren Drew was a perfect Aragon alongside Maddison Bulleyment who played a sassy, quick witted Boleyn. Their chemistry was matched by Vicki Manser's take on Howard with a stunning rendition of 'All You Wanna Do' and Caitlin Tipping's powerhouse vocal for Seymour's solo.
Shekinah McFarlane as Cleeves had the urban styling down to a tee alongside Elena Gyasi's take on Parr - a part that could easily have been written for her.
With equally stunning staging and lighting, Six The Musical is a behemoth of a production which doesn't rely on anything other than pure, driven talent to succeed. And long may their reign at the top of the tree last.
Quite simply, this show is probably the best touring production in the UK right now - and one that will go down in her-story, and rightfully so. This isn't social media hype, this is raw, unmatched talent and if there was an option to rate more than five stars, I'd have no hesitation.
Six The Musical plays at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 5th February 2022. For more information, or to get your tickets, head online to grandtheatre.co.uk.
