• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

SiX at the Arts Theatre

January 15, 2018 by Maggie Kelly Leave a Comment

Review of: SiX

Reviewed by: Maggie Kelly
Rating:
3
On January 15, 2018
Last modified:January 15, 2018

Summary:

Disjointed but musically extraordinary show about the six wives of Henry the Eight

More Details

Having started out at the Edinburgh Fringe Sweet Venues last year, SiX might seem like a bit of a rags to riches tale – picked up by Kenny Wax when functioning under the Cambridge Musical Theatre Society and now having its first professional run with Lotte Wakeham as director and a cast of musical theatre aficionados. A banging piece about the six erstwhile wives of Henry the Eighth, it has helpfully discarded anything that might resemble a plot (the six wives decide to form a girl band is all you need to know on this one) and focusses instead on being a grand smorgasbord of catchy tunes and inventive lyrics by young duo Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow. However, as with many transfers from the Fringe, the West End polish has highlighted a couple of issues within the piece as well as yanking it to new heights. The cast are glorious, and the songs will never fail to astound, but structurally and production-wise there are a couple of hiccups that mar the overall experience.

However, this still doesn’t undermine the fact that SiX contains a cornucopia of Damn Good Songs. The lyrics are unashamedly bizarre, historical titbits scattered throughout make the inner academic in me swoon, and the music is ridiculously catchy (when this goes to soundtrack I will be the very first in line). Thank god, for the rest of the piece tends slightly towards the disjointed. Central sections that link the music numbers together are awkwardly static, and it is quickly noticeable that the majority of the queens don’t really have a character arc (with the noticeable exceptions of Katherine Howard (Aimie Atkinson) and Catherine Parr (Izuka Hoyle)). Cressida Carré’s choreography starts out obscuring rather than embellishing the piece – it’s hard not to notice five of the six cast members wandering awkwardly offstage twice to get props needed for dance numbers – although it (with the rest of the production) defiantly comes into its own in the second half once the gimmicks are less noticeable. Around ‘House of Holbein’ area SiX finally starts to properly roar, clawing and kicking with the most wonderful anarchic determination before launching into Katherine Howard’s highlight number about the fetishization of young women in Tudor times.

The main issue with the piece is that clever lyrics and fine music, sadly, alone do not a musical make. Yes, it’s a pretty damn fine place to start, especially with the quality of work that Moss, Marlow and all the cast produce (Atkinson is tremendous, Genesis Lynea wonderful with Hoyle, Renée Lamb, Christina Modestou and Natalie Paris all completing the group of storming singers), but the structure and cohesiveness of other production choices verges on the clumsy side. The end moral (historical women only being seen as property of their husband and thereby having to free themselves from these trappings YES PLEASE) is gutsy and strong and glorious, but the piece insists on battering us over the head with it for two songs as well as a post-script. These issues are, however, easily fixed, and hopefully (with a lick of polish and a tightening of loose ends) SiX might very well have a much longer future here in the West End.

Author: Maggie Kelly

Filed Under: Featured, Review Tagged With: Arts Theatre, SiX

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Davinia Hamilton on Blanket Ban

Following its hit run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, theatre makers and activists Davinia Hamilton and Marta Vella bring their rallying [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Richard Vergette on Leaving Vietnam

We spoke to Richard Vergette, writer and performer of Leaving Vietnam. Richard plays a war veteran who feels ignored and [Read More]

Review / The Journey To Venice at the Finborough Theatre

Bjorg Vik’s play The Journey To Venice is a delightful production, entertaining yet full of pathos. A play with a [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Tzarini Meyler talks KITES at VAULT Festival

We spoke to Artistic Director of LipZinc Theatre, writer and performer Tzarini Meyler about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Naomi Westerman talks BATMAN (aka Naomi’s Death Show)

We spoke to writer and performer Naomi Westerman from Little But Fierce about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival Can [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Katy Owen: How to Apply to Drama Schools*
  • Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 
  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Ben Lloyd-Hughes in Kiss Me
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • The Donmar Warehouse's Julius Caesar at the King's Cross Theatre
  • The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat
  • Liminal at The King's Head
  • Maggie Kelly
    Author

  • January 15th, 2018
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!