REVIEW: ‘SIX’ musical is an electrifying fun time

REVIEW: ‘SIX’ musical is an electrifying fun time

SIX at the Theater at Solaire is nothing short of a dazzling, high-octane production that reimagines female figures for the pop music era.

SIX, the hit musical that reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s wives as a pop concert, has arrived at the Theater at Solaire in Manila. This touring production, directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, brings a fresh and feminist twist to Tudor history, transforming these oft-forgotten queens into empowered pop divas complete with low-stakes rivalries.

Dueling Divas

Rather than a traditional narrative musical, SIX is a high-energy concert where each of Henry’s wives takes center stage to tell her story through song. 

The show is ostensibly a contest of sorts where the audience is supposed to pick which queen is most deserving of sympathy, but this is just to add a bit of banter or flavor to spiels in between song numbers. If the dialogue between songs feel somewhat secondary to the musical numbers, it does serve to move the show along at a brisk pace. 

Apart from that, SIX is quite a spectacular pop concert musical.

The show cleverly draws parallels between the plights of these historical figures and the challenges faced by contemporary women, making their centuries-old tales startlingly relevant. The ensemble cast delivers powerhouse performances across the board. Each actress brings a distinct personality to her role, embodying these historical figures as relatable archetypes.

Female Fun

Already a party from the get-go, the show does kick into high gear with “Haus of Holbein” and “Get Down,” which are great examples of dance pop musical numbers that have made SIX such an appealing cast recording to play well before seeing these songs play out on stage. Here is also where you’ll start to see Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s fun choreography and Tim Deiling’s lighting design that will only take center stage even more as the show moves along. 

Despite playing out like a girl group’s pop concert from start to finish, SIX does find–and superbly execute–its more serious beats. A standout moment comes during “All You Wanna Do,” performed superbly by Lizzie Emery as Katherine Howard, which adds unexpected depth to the spectacle by revealing the often-tragic realities of being a woman in Tudor times.

Pop Party

Visually, the production is a feast for the eyes. Well fitted to Solaire’s large stage, you don’t feel that Emma Bailey’s set design is all that minimal, providing the perfect backdrop for the pop concert atmosphere. Gabriella Slade’s costumes are also a delightful anachronistic mix of sexy royal silhouettes and contemporary pop star glamor. 

However, it’s Deiling’s lighting design that truly elevates the show to another level. The dynamic, colorful lighting perfectly complements each queen’s individual palette, creating an immersive and electric atmosphere that enhances the concert-like feel of the production.

The show’s brief 90-minute runtime flies by, leaving viewers energized and uplifted. SIX at the Theater at Solaire is nothing short of a dazzling, high-octane production that reimagines female figures for the pop music era. It’s not a history lesson by any means, but an empowering rally for women to make ‘herstory’ themselves.

Tickets: Php 1798.60 – Php 6877.00
Show Dates: October 4 – October 20, 2024
Venue: The Theater at Solaire, Entertainment City, Aseana Ave, Parañaque
Running Time: approx. 1 hour and 30 mins (no intermission)
Credits: Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage (Directors), Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (Choreographer), Emma Bailey (Set Designer), Gabriella Slade (Costume Designer), Tim Deiling (Lighting Designer), Paul Gatehouse (Sound Designer)
Cast: Billie Kerr, Yna Tresvalles, Liberty Stottor, Hannah Victoria, Lizzie emery, Eloise Lord, Yutong Zhang, Amanda Dal, Lola Barber, Jess Williams
Company: GMG Productions