The musical called “The Six” Beheaded, Divorced, Betrayed.

The musical called “The Six” Beheaded, Divorced, Betrayed.

Toronto is currently hosting a Broadway musical “The Six”. The show has been sold out for the first few months while running for the first time at the Mirvish Theatre Royal Alexander.

The Six is a unique and empowering musical that gives a voice to these historical figures, shedding light on their individual stories and experiences. The show has been nominated for 8 Tony Awards, and first-time playwrights Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow reclaim the stories behind the most famous women in Tudor history, the wives of Henry VIII. With its catchy songs and dynamic performances, the show has captivated audiences, making it a must-see production in Toronto's vibrant theatre scene.

About the Musical Called the Six.

The storyline titled "The Six" delves into the fascinating lives of the Six Wives of Henry VIII, each of whom played a significant role in shaping the history of England. From Catherine of Aragon to Catherine Parr, their stories unfold with tales of love, betrayal, and political intrigue, offering a captivating glimpse into the tumultuous reign of King Henry VIII. The best part is that you don't have to know all the facts of history to enjoy the musical performance. This musical will have King Henry the Eighth rolling in his grave as for once it's finally not about him. The show reaches out and brings the audience with them and takes them on a journey to overcoming life's obstacles through good times and bad times. It is full of humor, wit, and satire intelligently put together you don’t have to be divorced to enjoy the performance. The Musical brings this into a whole new era bringing a pop-rock music style combined with dance. The sheer creative idea of having the same six wives meet up and interact with each other is brilliant. You might just call them Pop-Rock Princess when you see the show. The show starts with an introduction of each of the wives telling the story that they each share. The chorus line tagged with “Divorced, Beheaded, Survived” creatively threads its way into the songs. They retell the story of the events of how they came to be married and how the course of their marriage changed the history of England. However, they don’t make it feel like you are being told like a history course. The characters might not tell the story of their lives perfectly in accordance with historical facts. (It would be dull if the performance sounded like some history professor was just reciting facts.) Instead, they bring their own personalities and perspectives to the narrative, adding humor and emotion to the retelling. This unique approach allows the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level and see history from a fresh and engaging perspective. The music reaches out with humor and creative play on words that will make you laugh. There are so many twists and turns in The Six. Each female character through the course of the musical has had its own moment that is thought-provoking and intriguing. The wives come together and there is a sense of sisterhood as they work together even though some may have never met each other.

This is not your typical musical love story, because it's very different when it comes to storylines. The Six is amazingly put together sharing the comedic yet tragic death of the six wives as there is the comedic thread that bonds them together.

The Choreographed Dance moves.

The Six is a well-oiled engine, to say the least, as they keep this a high-energy performance with well-choreographed dance moves that surprise the audience. .. At the start of the musical, they walk on the stage with flood lights, introduce each of the wives' characters, and break into song and dance. The choreography is dynamic and energetic, with each member of The Six showcasing their individual talents and creating a visually stunning spectacle. The infusion of Janet Jackson-inspired dance moves adds a touch of nostalgia and further enhances the electrifying atmosphere, captivating the audience from the very first moment. Their seamless transitions and synchronised movements captivate the crowd, leaving them in awe of their precision and talent. The Six's dynamic energy radiates throughout the entire performance, creating an electrifying atmosphere that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. There is no intermission to slow the rhythm down with this musical, as the cast seamlessly transitions from one song to the next, keeping the momentum and excitement alive. The non-stop action and captivating performances of The Six leave no room for a break, ensuring that the audience remains fully engaged and immersed in the electrifying atmosphere until the very end.

The singing and perfect pitch.

The singing was absolutely mesmerizing, with flawless execution and an incredible range. The artist's perfect pitch added an extra layer of brilliance to the performance, leaving the audience in awe. To describe the singing was a bit of a challenge because each of the singers brought a different style, and they could definitely hit the high notes. To keep things simple, they got the audience singing along with them to the high energy uplifting songs.

The costumes and set design.

The set design is very clean and minimalistic and it does not need to have any set changes like most musicals do. This allows the audience to focus solely on the performers and their interactions, creating a more intimate and immersive experience. The simplicity of the set design also enhances the overall aesthetic appeal, giving the production a sophisticated feel. It was well thought out and highlighted the performers first. It did bring a retro look of “pop of the charts” appearance from the 70s with a neon light look but with the LED lighting that changes to the beat of the song. Thus giving it a modern twist allowing vibrant colors and dynamic lighting effects to create an immersive visual experience that enhances the overall atmosphere of theatre stage space. It has no gimmicks like a rock concert with video screens or fireworks.

The costumes were a cross between a period piece of Renaissance with a modern flare of pop-rock fashion. The vibrant colors and intricate details of the costumes transported the audience back to the Renaissance era, while the edgy and contemporary elements added a unique twist that resonated with modern fashion trends. The fusion of these two styles created a visually stunning and captivating aesthetic on stage. Each character had a dress made for them that had broad shoulders, and the fabric was shiny leather and silver studs. The dress accentuated their figures, with a fitted waistline and a circular skirt reminiscent of the Renaissance period, but significantly altered so that it reached just above their knees. The shiny leather fabric gave the dresses a sleek and modern look, perfectly complementing the characters' confident and powerful personas. The boots were iconic pop from the pop era of “These boots were made for walking.” The boots were knee-high, made of black patent leather (or other colours depending on the dress), and featured a bold silver buckle on the side. They added a touch of edginess to the overall ensemble, completing the characters' fierce and fashionable appearance. The iconic pop era influence was evident not only in the boots but also in the characters' bold makeup choices and voluminous hairstyles, further enhancing their glamorous and rebellious personas. To this date, there has never been any musical that could transcend itself from blending a historical Renaissance appearance combined with pop culture that could have been from the 60’s music era of Nancy Sinatra to the latest singers from 2023. The 60's music era of Nancy Sinatra was characterized by iconic hits like "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" and represented a time of social change and cultural revolution. Fast forward to 2023, and the pop culture scene has evolved tremendously, with new singers pushing boundaries and experimenting with various genres, incorporating elements of electronic music, R&B, and even alternative rock into their sound. This dynamic shift in pop culture reflects the ever-changing tastes and preferences of audiences across different generations. The fusion of historical Renaissance aesthetics with contemporary pop culture elements in the characters' appearance created a unique and captivating visual experience for the audience. It showcased the timeless appeal of the music era while also embracing the current trends, making it a truly unforgettable theatrical production.

Orchestra???

There was no orchestral section with trumpets or a string orchestra in this musical. They had an all-girls band that played electric guitar, synthesizer keyboard, and drums. Could this be a trend that sticks to Broadway musicals? For example, do modern musicals still need to have a French Horn or a Tuba player to be part of any musical performance? Is it possible that this trend of all-girls bands in musicals could become more common on Broadway? As the landscape of musical theater evolves, traditional instrumentations may no longer be seen as necessary for a successful performance. However, it is important to note that the inclusion of different instruments can greatly enhance the overall sound and depth of a musical, so the presence of French Horn or Tuba players may still be valued in certain productions. The answer to that is that it depends on the timepiece and what the audience wants, plus the budget restraints. The way it tells the story with high energy needs a pop rock band; otherwise, it loses its authenticity and style, which makes it so successful.

To summarize it all simply it's about girl power and a voice to be heard because over the last 500 years, the six wives of Henry VIII of England — Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr — have often been portrayed as pawns, victims or vessels within the infamous king’s court, known more for the ways their marriages ended than anything else....The Six Musical will have this new incredible longevity because it can be mesmerizing and spellbinding to any age group, from 10 years to 80-plus. This is an energetic performance with catchy music, along with dynamic choreography, which adds an extra layer of excitement to the performance. Additionally, the empowering message of the show, highlighting the strength and resilience of these historical women, resonates with audiences of all backgrounds and interests. They make the audience feel like part of the show as they bring the audience to cheer on each Character I won’t give much more away as it tells the strength and perseverance of Surval. You have to go and check it out and see the performance at the Royal Alexander Theatre in Toronto. It is running from September 23 to February 11, 2024. The production also features stunning costumes and captivating choreography, immersing the audience in the vibrant world of these remarkable women. The show's limited run makes it a must-see event for anyone seeking an inspiring and unforgettable theatrical experience.

The show is a first-time run in Canada with an amazing cast put together. For tickets https://www.mirvish.com/shows/six