THEATRE
Book, Lyrics & Music by Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss
At
Comedy Theatre until 20 October 2024 (so far)
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ***** (5)
This review is published only on this blog. I’ll present a radio review on Arts Weekly on 3MBS on Sat 16 Aug 2024. NB: It includes much of the content of my 2022 review of the previous production. KH
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| L-R LOREN HUNTER,ZELIA ROSE KITOKO,DEIRDRE KHOO,KIMBERLEY HODGSON,CHELSEA DAWSON,GIORGIA KENNEDY - PHOTO JAMES D MORGAN-GETTY IMAGES |
SIX sets the stage ablaze again with its opening, rocking song, Ex-Wives, that introduces and gives voice to the six wives of Henry VIII then proceeds to reframe and reimagine their “her-story” through a 21st century lens that references modern gender politics.
This outstanding, dynamic production returns to Melbourne with several cast changes since its wild success in 2022. With a musical repertoire inspired by pop divas including Beyonce, Adele, Shakira, Sia and girl groups, was conceived by talented UK duo, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss (book, lyrics, music), and is fiercely directed by Moss with Jamie Armitage. A tight, all-female, four-piece band, Ladies in Waiting, and evocative set (Emma Bailey) and lighting (Tim Deiling) complete the atmosphere.
Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s crisp, vigorous choreography is fast-paced and sassy with plenty of hip bumps, pelvic rolls and sharp foot work, while Gabriellla Slade’s costumes provide another character with their gleaming bodices and skirts echoing Tudor attire, and their stiff fabrics and sharp lines referencing 16th century armour that provides protection for the women.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived is a way to remember the wives, or one can listen to songs that illuminate their lives and marriages while mocking damning assumptions made by past historians about their characters. SIX depicts the wives as heroines, but they were victims of trauma, abuse and imprisonment in Henry’s court.
The conceit for this episodic musical is the wives competing in a twisted popularity contest. The first wife, strong-willed, Spanish Catholic, Catherine of Aragon, is played with passion by Kimberley Hodgson and her rousing song, No Way, is a declaration of war on the king who divorces her and breaks England from Catherine’s beloved Roman Catholic church.
Infamous Anne Boleyn, trigger for both the divorce and the rift in the church, is played by Deirdre Khoo as an impudent, waspish young woman whose perky pop song, Don’t Lose Ur Head, mocks her beheading and is littered with modern text-speak.
The remaining four wives were poorly documented, but that never stopped historians leaping to judgement. Jane Seymour, played again by Loren Hunter, portrays herself as the only queen Henry genuinely loved and Hunter’s warm, honeyed tones elevate her heartfelt love ballad, Heart of Stone.
Vivacious and statuesque Zelia Rose Kitoko is German Anna of Cleves, and her feisty, razor-edged song, Get Down, reveals a woman who, despite being damned as ugly, survived after divorce to live a comfortable life. Kitoko may not have the same vocal skill and control as others, but she really owns the role with her sass.
Chelsea Dawson reprises the role of Katherine Howard, whose song, All You Wanna Do, is resonant of Britney Spears’ music and life, expressing a teenage girl’s hopes for love being dashed each time she is abused by another predatory man.
Catherine Parr, played in this production played by Giorgia Kennedy, interrupts the other queens’ rush of blood to challenge them about their contest to determine who suffered the greatest trauma or abuse. Kennedy’s poignant, impassioned I Don’t Need Your Love features a vocal run that reaches a knock-out top note. She really has vocal chops!
This pop-fuelled musical is ferocious, topical and resonates with contemporary audiences who leapt to a spontaneous standing ovation on opening night after the finale, MegaSIX, a thrilling remix for this girl group of queens. This is show that you cannot, must not miss!
Kate Herbert
CAST:
Kimberley Hodgson - Catherine of Aragon
Deirdre Khoo - Anne Boleyn
Loren Hunter - Jane Seymour
Zelia Rose Kitoko - Anna of Cleves
Chelsea Dawson - Katherine Howard
Giorgia Kennedy - Catherine Parr
Creative Team
Toby Marlow -Writer
Lucy Moss -Writer & Co-Director
Carrie-Anne -Ingrouille Choreographer
Claire Healy -Musical Director
Set Design -Emma Bailey
Costume Design - Gabriellla Slade
Lighting Design -Tim Deiling
Paul Gatehouse- Sound Designer
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