Written by Belinda Price @belindanolanprice

After taking Broadway, the West End and Sydney’s Opera House by storm, SIX is ruling Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre until 21 August.

Henry VIII was the King of England, who is best known for his six marriages. The history of his many wives and Queens has been overthrown in this musical comedy. SIX the musical is presented as a pop concert, with the Queens taking in turn to sing and share their story to see who really suffered the most, and therefore, who should become the group’s lead singer.

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss developed SIX in 2016. We hear the stories of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr.  The writers formed the Queens on modern day female performers such as, Beyonce, Shakira, Lilly Allen, Avril Lavigne, Adele, Sia, Nicki Minaj, Rhianna, Ariana Grande and Britney Spears.

I can’t single out any one of the Queens, are they were all outstanding performers. The cast included Phoenix Jackson Mendoza, Kala Gare, Loren Hunter, Kiana Daniele, Chelsea Dawson and Shannen Alyce Quan who replaced Vidya Makan for this performance.  The Queens are supported by a band called ‘Ladies in Waiting’. Writers Marlow and Moss wanted the cast to be all female or non-binary and to celebrate queer narratives in a space that didn’t offer it.

SIX won the Tony Award for Best Original Score and has had over 450 million Spofity streams. My favourite songs were Ex- Wives, Heart of Stone, I Don’t Need Your Love and MegaSIX.

The costume designs by Gabriella Slade are dazzling and showcase a mix of modern pop costumes that celebrate the Tudor period with corsets and ruffs.  It’s no surprise that she also won a Tony Award for Costume Design.

You’ll lose your head at this fun, witty, sassy and high-energy pop concert, when 500 years of historical heartbreak is recreated into a musical. When crowns are reclaimed and those forgotten wives become the SIX divas on the stage. Long live the QUEENS!

Purchase your tickets here: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=SIXCOM22&gclid=CjwKCAjwi8iXBhBeEiwAKbUofQFVN2p8M3ycp4DPw7zBG8jCBiiU4wVQ0RfD-azfdqRc3gJuJlSw1hoCjX0QAvD_BwE