Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Jarneia Richard-Noel. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Jarneia Richard-Noel. Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday 6 March 2019

Six, Arts Theatre | Review


Six
Arts Theatre 
Reviewed on Tuesday 5th March 2019 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★★(★)

Yesterday, the 2019 Olivier Awards nominations were announced and Six are up for five. For a show which started as a university project, its pretty amazing and inspiring that Six is reaching such levels of stardom, and rightly so. Since debuting with the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society, showcasing at the Edinburgh Fringe, having a stint at the Arts Theatre, touring and now returning for a pretty open ended run at the Arts, Six has gone up and up, reaching stratospheric levels of brilliance and dazzle. Creators and besties, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss have somehow managed to capture every type of audience member with their inventive and exciting pop re-telling of Henry VIII's wives. It seems impossible that this show can get better but on my fifth visit, I can confirm: it can!

The concept is that each of Henry VIII's wives sing a song about the hardships of their time with him in the hope of having the most dramatic life story, and therefore becoming the Queen of Queens and leader of the girl group. The setup is the perfect instrument to provide showcase moments for each performer and allow each story to be told with enough depth to keep it interesting and entertaining. This is really an ensemble piece of theatre as each Queen has the opportunity for a solo, as well as backing up the others, so it's only right that all six have been nominated as team for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Even the structure of the show, without the songs themselves, upholds the notion of women supporting women.

The Arts Theatre is transformed to a pop concert, Tudor Court with harpsichord remixes of modern songs greeting us as we take our seats. Tim Deiling's pre show lights act like a crown framing the stage and set the tone for the epic lighting that is to come. Of course the music and performances are outstanding but they are taken up several notches by Tim's well thought out and supremely effective lighting. Gabriella Slade's costumes are also spectacular. The clever use of stiff and sparkly fabrics mirror the message of femininity alongside power and are just another tick to add for this show.  The sharp wit of the ladies, is matched by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille's choreography which is modern, pop inspired and oh so sharp. If the Arts  Theatre paid it's bills in sass, this choreography alone would do the job.



Whilst Six does follow real life people, not all the facts are historically correct and everything needs to be taken with a pinch of salt and a peep into a history textbook. However, Marlow and Moss have done an outstanding job of scattering facts here and there and allowing their own writing style, alongside influences from famous pop performers to develop the stories. The composers provide catchy tune after catchy tune as each of the queens tell their stories in their distinctly them style. 

The two queens who got off the lightest (aka they were not killed and had pretty great lives post-Henry) bring fiery, energetic performances. Jarneia Richard-Noel as Catherine of Aragon is the definition of sass as she tells Henry there's No Way he can throw her out like a pheasant carcass (not a direct quote but it sounds like a Tudor insult, right?) Anna of Cleves (Alexia McIntosh) shows her success as she regales us with snippets of her life in her resplendent, Richmond Palace. Both ladies perform their upbeat songs with enough energy to power the entire West End and give their absolute all night after night.

Otherwise, Natalie May Paris gives a completely heartfelt performance as "the only one he truly loved", Jane Seymour who died young in childbirth. Her hilariously awkward one liners bring a like-ability to her character, as does her note perfect, chill-inducing rendition of Heart of Stone. 

Natalie's performance beautifully and painfully highlights the exploitation of women by the men in power. Whilst she proclaims her love for Henry, she also realises that Henry only loved her because she was able to provide him with an heir. Although all the women are treated badly by men, it's Aimie Atkinson as Katherine Howard who gives the most strikingly painful display. All You Wanna Do is a slow building piece which portrays the dark way in which Katherine was essentially groomed her entire life. The way Aimie manages to show a complete character arc in this song, is truly skilful.

Millie O'Connell is utterly dazzling as the super cheeky Anne Boleyn who is equally used by men but employs her wit and sex appeal to fight back. Although this led to her head off demise, it allows for a fantastically well characterised performance which is worthy of every ounce of applause it receives. 



This is an undoubtedly feminist show that inspires women to support each other and reminds us all that we're stronger together. Maiya Quansah-Breed's number towards the end I Don't Need You Love is a pinnacle of the show as it is not only performed perfectly, but wraps up the show and its message so well. The queens combined are an absolute force to be reckoned with and upon leaving the theatre, my friend exclaimed "I've never wanted to be a sassy woman more... I've never felt so empowered!" and that is absolutely true. 

Whilst many deep and pretty dark themes course through the roots of this show, writers Marlow and Moss and co-director (with Moss) Jamie Armitage have done a superb job of never making anything too heavy or overwhelming. They maintain a balance which thrills and moves the audience. 

With various international productions and tours already in the works, there's no doubt that Six will continue to receive acclaim and a posse of adoring fans around the world. This is the history lesson you'll love and want to return to over and over again. Perfectly executed (!) and superbly created, Six is the smash hit you need to see... and see again.

Read my original Six review here

photo credit: Idil Sukan

Monday 21 September 2020

Original West End Stars of Six to perform Reunion concert




The Reunion brings together seven of the UK’s top vocal powerhouses for an epic evening of empowering pop music in a unique intimate venue.

Performing together for the first time since their reign as the original West End queens of the musical SIX, these women are close friends on stage and off, and have been eager to perform together again. They shared: “We are beyond thrilled and excited to be back together again with our reunion show! and with an actual LIVE audience! We cannot wait to belt out some of our favourite girl power anthems and bring our fans an epic show they will never forget!”

The Reunion stars Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Grace Mouat, Jarneia Richard-Noel, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Millie O’Connell, and Natalie Paris. Each has an Olivier Award nomination, prestigious theatrical and concert credits, and they have been featured on studio recordings, cast albums and concert livestreams spanning musical theatre and pop.

The live performances and streaming are ticketed and run by theatre platform Thespie which aims to be the most trusted way to discover theatre and the arts. Thespie launched in May as a means to keep people connected to theatre and the arts during lockdown, and now offers more than 1,500 digital streaming listings as well as audio, theatre ebooks, and educational resources, including nearly 400 productions to stream for free. Now that London live indoor theatre performances can safely resume, Thespie has expanded to develop ways to help artists resume working safely in the current conditions.

Commenting on the announcement, Thespie founder Tyler Stoops said: “These incredibly talented artists are the ideal collaborators to deliver a thrilling performance for in-person and at-home audiences simultaneously. So many people are ready to experience incredible shows again and are happy to follow robust, simple-to-follow safety measures, so we’re proud to be solving the operational challenges that can get artists working again.”

Performances will be held in Oval Space, a spacious and well-ventilated East London venue that has been entirely reimagined for safe, seated music and theatre performances. The seating plan is entirely flexible which allows seating to be customised to the audience that books. Audiences book for themselves and their household or support bubble only (to a maximum of six), and Thespie’s technology determines a seat plan that ensures safe spacing between households and optimises use of the space. Audiences receive their seating assignment and scannable digital ticket prior to the event.

Additional safety measures in place include:

• Time indoors is minimised using ample outdoor space and the terrace bar

• Scannable digital tickets, with no paper tickets or box office collection
• Seating is by household/support bubble with appropriate distance between each

• Masks are required and should be worn whenever feasible

• Thorough cleaning of all customer areas between performances

• If the performance cannot proceed, purchasers will automatically be refunded

The global livestream will take place at 9:30PM BST on Saturday, 10 October and will be available in over 100 countries, with several local currency prices available. Advance purchase of a Household Livestream Pass is £12.50 (or $15 US) if booked before 30 September. One pass entitles the purchaser to view with their entire household live, or on-demand for 72 hours following the initial livestream. Repeat viewing is permitted, but a pass can only be used on a single account and a single device. Livestream Pass prices rise in October to £15 ($18 US).

Live tickets are £35-£55 and can be booked at https://thespie.com/TheReunion

photos by Danny Kaan

Wednesday 5 September 2018

Six, Arts Theatre | Review

 
Six 
Arts Theatre 
Reviewed on Friday 31st August 2018 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★★★ (it seems only right)
 
As someone who grew up spending her weekends visiting Hampton Court Palace, Six is  pretty much my ideal musical. Bringing the wives of Henry VIII to us live in concert and changing HIStory to HERstory this show is a celebration of girl power and shows us that there's far more to the rhyme we all grew up hearing.
 
Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, Six is fresh, modern and unlike anything I've experienced. The lyrics are fast paced and extremely clever but draw you in so much that at no point do you find yourself struggling to understand them. Each Queen has a distinct style which works fantastically. From the jazzy feel of Catherine Parr's solo to Catherine of Aragon's Beyoncé style song, all the music feels relatable and makes you feel you could be friends with any of the Six ladies.
 
 
Each Queen is inspired by current pop-stars with the cast bringing clear influences from pop culture as well as making the roles truly individual and memorable. As their respective wives (Ex-Wives *mic drop*) Jarneia Richard-Noel, Millie O'Connell, Natalie Paris, Alexia McIntosh, Aimie Atkinson and Maiya Quansah-Breed are outstanding. It's unfair to talk about them individually as they all bring so much to the show and despite having solo's, make this show the united, ensemble piece it's meant to be.
 
The Ladies in Waiting aka the on stage band bring energy and even more power to Six. Emma Bailey's set is simplistic in the tiny space of the Arts Theatre but extremely fitting, with the black box almost becoming a chapel where we can worship these powerful women. Tim Deiling's lighting helps achieve the pop concert vibe and is especially effective in Haus of Holbein where Anna of Cleves' tells her story accompanied by strobe lights and fluorescent neck ruffs.
 
 
Carrie-Anne Ingrouille's choreography is sharp and fills the space extremely well. Alongside Gabriella Slade's fabulous and flirty costumes and Jimmy Jones' chiselled makeup looks, the ladies really do own the Arts Theatre and become the hottest girl group in London.
 
Six is inventive, coherent, uplifting and full to the brim with talent. The varying tempos and genres make the piece continually engaging and the "Britishness" of it all is truly wonderful when so much of the West End is currently/soon to be dominated by imported shows. Henry VIII may have been the Tudor King, but these Queens are the rulers of London theatre.
 
Six runs at the Arts Theatre until  14th October, and then tours around the country
 
photo credit: Idil Sukan

Monday 23 November 2020

Thespie Present Streamed Concert Series with Dozens of UK Stage Stars


Theatre discovery platform Thespie today announces the Reunited Series, bringing together more than two dozen of the UK’s top musical theatre artists for a series of filmed concerts premiering throughout December. Developed by Aimie Atkinson, Thespie’s Creative Producer and the Olivier nominated star of Pretty Woman and SIX), each concert presents ensemble music performances (filmed in COVID-secure London venues), and ranges from musical theatre hits, to pop music, to favourite Christmas songs. The program of each concert has been developed by the artists involved and will also include intimate interview footage.

 

The concerts are designed to inspire global theatre audiences, by bringing the UK’s best musical theatre talent directly to their homes this holiday season. The artists collectively represent over two and a half centuries of experience on UK stages; their recent credits include The Prince of Egypt, Pretty Woman, SIX, & Juliet, Come From Away, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Les MisĂ©rables, and Kinky Boots.

 

Thespie Creative Producer Aimie Atkinson commented, “We’re thrilled to be bringing you our first shows—high-energy, joyful concerts with great production values and astonishing vocal performances. I am so in awe of the level of talent working with us to make these December shows incredibly special. You are in for a treat.”

 

The series begins with the premiere of Unlimited: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz on 3 Dec at 8pm GMT, a celebration of the famed composer’s works including WickedPippinGodspellChildren of Eden, and The Prince of Egypt, Schwartz’s newest musical. The nine artists in the concert (Nikki Bentley, Sophie Evans, Alice Fearn, Alexia Khadime, Melanie La Barrie, Carl Man, Dianne Pilkington, Liam Tamne, Oliver Tompsett) all starred in Wicked during its first 14 years in London, and two (Khadime, Tamne) are in the current cast of The Prince of Egypt. Schwartz himself will make a special appearance in the program, with further details to be announced.

 

Oops!... I Streamed It Again... premieres 10 Dec at 8pm GMT and is a high-energy concert of favourite classic pop, rock, and musical theatre songs. The concert is performed by five artists who met as part of the original company of the UK musical & Juliet: Jordan Luke Gage, Tim Mahendran, Grace Mouat, Oliver Tompsett, and 2020 Olivier Award Winner Cassidy Janson.

 

Next up is the return of the artists from The Reunion, with an empowering concert of songs by famous girl bands through the decades: Girl Power premieres 17 Dec at 8pm GMT. Expect the tight harmonies and true sisterhood vibes that these artists have come to be known for since they first met as the original West End queens of the musical SIXGirl Power stars Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Grace Mouat, Millie O’Connell, Natalie Paris, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Jarneia Richard-Noel.

 

Finally, the fourth instalment of the Reunited Series arrives on the 21 Dec at 8pm GMT. All I Want For Christmas Is Theatre is a love letter to the tradition of seeing theatre with those you love during the holiday season. More than three dozen top UK theatre artists are lending their talents to this special concert, featuring classic Christmas songs of all styles. Performers from UnlimitedOops!... I Streamed It Again, and Girl Power will all be featured, alongside more than a dozen more, to be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Streaming tickets for a single concert are £12.50 ($15) if booked early (by 30 Nov), or £15 ($18) if purchased in December. (10 other currencies available.) Purchasers of the first three concerts will have 72 hours to watch, and purchasers of All I Want For Christmas Is Theatre will have 7 days to watch with their households. An Extended-Access bundle (£37.50/$45 in Nov; £45/$54 in Dec) gives purchasers access to all four concerts from their premiere through 31 December, and provides a 25% discount over booking the concerts separately. All concerts and the bundle can also be purchased after their premiere, with the same window of access (72 hours, 7 days, or through 31 Dec.)

 

The Reunited Series and Thespie’s original content initiative support its work to foster the connection between artists and audiences on its theatre discovery platform. Thespie’s first original production, The Reunion, was one of the bestselling paid theatre streaming events in the UK, selling tickets to 3600 households across 65 countries; and employed 35 live entertainment workers who received over £30k in income from the event.

 

Thespie founder Tyler Stoops said, “Watching our first concert, The Reunion, revived my spirits, and hundreds of viewers told us how meaningful it was, how inspired they were, and how much fun they had. So I’m thrilled we can deliver four more concerts for audiences at home around the world, just in time for Christmas. I think all of us are ready for some joy and excitement.

 

Thespie offers listings for theatre streaming, theatre music & audio, theatre eBooks, educational resources, live London theatre, theatre news, and more. Audiences can use Thespie to stream the Reunited Series and more than 400 other shows, or to discover over 1000 more shows available on other popular platforms and services, such as Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Audible.