We all know the rhyme: “Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.” Sure, it came with a crown, but marrying the randy and increasingly gouty King was no picnic. This irresistibly clever and catchy show asks who had the worst time of all and then wraps us all over the knuckles for reducing the queens to the sum of their marriages. A frivolous frolic about the 16th Century suddenly becomes one of the most relevant pieces of popular culture in town. It is also undeniably one of the most fun. No wonder London’s awards season has just sat up and taken notice.
This little show has created a huge splash since it made its debut at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe, mounted by the Toby Marlowe and Lucy Moss, the Cambrigde students who created it.
Trial runs at the Arts Theatre and a UK tour resulted in its current residency back at the Arts, where Six has built up a cult following of devoted fans – and no few celebrities. Ru Paul, Geri Horner and Alan Carr are just some of the famous faces who have popped in for the fun over the past few months.
We popped backstage to meet the girls ahead of their Oliviers adventure tonight: Jarneia Richard-Noel as Catherine of Aragon, Millie O’Connell as Anne Boleyn, Natalie Paris as Jane Seymour, Alexia McIntosh as Anna of Cleves, Aimie Atkinson as Katherine Howard, Maiya Quansah-Breed as Catherine Parr and Grace Mouat is the Swing / Dance Captain who magnificently took the stage as Katherine Parr the day I saw the show.
For a show redefining girl power I ask what they want the audience to take away from it? Grace says: “Comparing yourselves is a waste of time.”
Natalie adds: “Women should support each other. That is is huge in our show. We love each other, we’re here for each other.”
They all say the word “sisters” before Grace and Maiya burts out with a beautifully emphatic: “Real queen fix each other’s crowns.”
Lexi says: “Its about being yourselves and whatever you want to do, you can live your dream. We’re living ours.”
CLICK HERE for everything you need to know about SIX the musical
WHAT TIME ARE THE OLIVIER AWARDS ON TV?
The Olivier Awards 2019 will take place on Sunday 7th April, beginning at 6.30pm. The ceremony will air on ITV between 10:20pm and 12:10am.
HOW TO BOOK TICKETS FOR SIX?
Six the Musical at the Arts Theatre: Tickets and booking information here
