After the special media preview of Six the Musical, at the lobby of The Theatre at Solaire, I asked two middle-aged female lifestyle and entertainment writers I bumped into: “There could be a Filipino version of Henry the VIII. And his life could be turned into a musical. Right? Possible?”
We were just having the usual post-performance short talk to while away the time until what was left of the crowd were just a few selfie takers, less competition to book a ride home.
Former presidents who had many paramours and other partners left, right, and center came to mind. One had three well-publicized partners besides his wife, another had four but the hands-down winner, we thought, was the tough guy who has had not only six but seven rumored partners during his reign. At least the seven partners were the names that came out in the media, and whom he sired children with.
One of the ladies said, “Oo nga ‘noh, he also tried ruling the country like a despot. Hindi lang successful ang lolo mo.”
“But, at least, he didn’t behead anyone! Though he jokingly said in public he’d assassinate the First Lady to marry a Miss Universe contestant,” the other one chimed in.
“Working title could be Seven the Musical,” I told them.
And so we laughed till we choked, like pretentious art connoisseurs who had more than enough free vodka tonic, knowing this kind of musical won’t be produced in our lifetime because all the wives or partners are still alive, including the man we’re talking about.
We can’t help but shake our heads over why some people seemed “shocked” upon learning Six is a concert, more than the typical Broadway or West End productions brought to Manila. And why bother with history lessons, insights, and all that bull? Six the Musical is meant to entertain.
As described by veteran culture and arts writer Amadis Ma. Guerrero in his review for Inquirer Lifestyle, “Henry VIII was a jerk when it came to women.”
During his reign as an absolute monarch, King Henry VIII broke all the rules here and there to get what he wanted. The way he treated his wives only showed he used people like a psychopath would.
As reported also earlier, Six was created by playwrights Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss when they were students at Cambridge University in 2019. They were studying, rather, supposedly cramming for a major exam. As they intended, Six was conceptualized more like a Spice Girls-Bananarama-Destiny’s Child concert than something taken from history books, the way Hamilton or Mulan were created.
In a Vogue magazine article by Sarah Crompton titled “With ‘SIX,’ Playwrights Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow Dramatize the Tudor Dynasty—One Power Ballad at a Time,” which was uploaded on its website on January 16, 2020, it was described how the characters “channel some of the more famous divas of recent decades.”
We quote: “Catherine of Aragon gives off a Beyoncé vibe; Anne Boleyn picks up on the styles of Billie Eilish; Anna of Cleves has the sound of Nicki Minaj. Instead of relegating them to the famous mnemonic by which schoolchildren remember their fates—divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived—the show reincarnates them as powerful queens with their own stories to tell.”
‘Catherine of Aragon gives off a Beyoncé vibe; Anne Boleyn picks up on the styles of Billie Eilish; Anna of Cleves has the sound of Nicki Minaj’
Photo from GMG Productions
In the ongoing Six the Musical brought to Philippine shores by GMG Productions, the same efficient and magnificent team behind Hamilton and Miss Saigon, audience members are treated with, well, history lessons not just about the United Kingdom, but insights on women empowerment through the confessional stories of the six queens, with a modern touch.
The costume design by Gabriella Slade is a feast-for-the-eyes mix of Spice Girls, Mad Max, any dystopian film you could think of.
Catherine of Aragon as played by Bellie Kerr, who previously essayed the role of Jane Seymour in the Norwegian Cruise Line version of Six.
Anne Boleyn was performed by Filipino American Yna Tresvalles. Her Scottish accent is courtesy of her years as student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Jane Seymour was played by Liberty Stottor, an alumnus of Islington-based The Urdang Academy, Tring Park School for the Performing Art, regarded as one of the more prestigious performing arts schools in the United Kingdom.
Anna of Cleves was Hannah Victoria, an Edge Hill University alumnus whose previous memorable roles were as Gary Coleman in the ultra-hilarious Avenue Q and Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors.
Katherine Howard was performed by Lizzie Emery, a Guildford School of Acting-trained actress who has essayed the roles of Belle in Beauty and the Beast and Mimi in Rent.
Catherine Parr was played by Eloise Lord. She was trained in two performing arts schools, The BRIT School, and Bird College, where, incidentally, Melanie C of The Spice Girls graduated. This is the second time Lord is playing Catherine Parr, the first being in the Norwegian Cruise Line version.
In 80 to 90 minutes without intermission, each character is given her moment to tell her side, her experiences on being queen, her views on King Henry VIII.
If you’re not familiar with the story, at least you’ll be in for a big surprise, who were beheaded and who survived among the six.
They have a live band on stage composed of Yutong Zhang as musical director and keyboard player Amanda Dal on drums, Lola Barber on lead guitar, and Jess Williams on bass. Collectively they are called “Ladies In Waiting.”
The set design by Emma Bailey, choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Tim Deiling, with overall direction by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, all contribute to a satisfying good time for musical fans inside the theatre turned concert hall.
During the press preview, there were members of the audience who sang along with the queens. They know the lyrics by heart. I’ve learned later the songs have been made available on Spotify and other music streaming platforms.
Women power. A scene from Six the Musical. (Photo from GMG Productions)
All in all, Six the Musical was something you’d watch to free your mind from all the issues and headaches on the state of the nation, peso devaluation, China’s unabated bullying in the West Philippine Sea, the rising costs of basic commodities, gasoline, cat and dog food, lanzones and dragon fruit in your nearest supermarkets, even the idea of Jericho Rosales dating the look-alike granddaughter of Pilita Corrales, or why some people prefer the spelling of theater with the British “theatre”—you get the drift.
It runs until this Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Theatre at Solaire.
