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Showing posts sorted by date for query Natalie Paris. Sort by relevance Show all posts
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
Sunday 22 July 2018
A Stagey Guide to Singing... Aimie Atkinson | Six | Stagey Sunday
What time is it?
Stagey Sunday time!
Stagey Sunday time!
Welcome back to this week's Stagey Guide to Singing, this week we chat to the vocal goddess that is, Aimie Atkinson. Aimie is a part of glitzy girl-group, Goldstone who recently won the Voice of Astana competition; she is also starring in the new concert musical Six, all about the wives of Henry VIII. The show is taking the country by storm and will be heading to London in August/September. It's all go for Aimie, so vocal health and maintaining her voice is very important, keep reading to find out her tips, tricks and vocal stories...
What has your vocal journey been? (eg. have you always been a singer, were you in a choir as a child, have you changed voice type over time?)
My dad was in a rock band so I grew up singing along to all the legendary rock singers. My dad would teach me harmonies and we would sing together. When I was old enough I went to an am dram group in my home town in Stevenage and thats when my passion for theatre began.
You’re part of Goldstone and are starring in the concert musical, Six so you’re used to both theatre and concert styles of singing. Do you find you have to adapt your voice for the two or does switching come naturally?
For me both theatre and concerts are quite similar. However the sound tech is slightly different- with Goldstone we have in ears which really helps with hearing your own voice and the other girls harmonies. In theatre it's usually onstage monitoring which is slightly trickier to hear the blend of voices but more authentic which works for stage. On Six the Musical because it's a theatre piece but in the style of a concert we use in ears. The show is very hard vocally so to have this is a god send and is really saving our voices over the tour schedule.
Six is a new musical which people are loving; it must be really exciting being part of creating a brand new show. What’s the journey been like so far? Have you had a lot of input on what works for you vocally throughout the process?
Being a part of a new musical is an absolute dream come true. For me it's just so exciting to create a role and to have input into something new. We've definitely had input when it comes to character and what works vocally for us. Katherine Howard is based partly on Ariana Grande so she definitely influenced my vocal choices and mannerisms. However the song I sing in the show is pure story telling so for me that always come first before the vocal sound.
Vocal health is obviously so important but do you have any coping techniques for the mental side of performing such as when you lose your voice or feel unmotivated?
You're going to lose your voice! That will happen it's inevitable- we are not machines and a theatre schedule is incredible tough and for me I try not to be harsh on myself. As long as I've told the story truthfully who cares if a few notes are not quite perfection.
What is your pre-show warm up like?
My pre show warm up is low about warming up my body- I believe if your body is warm then you are in the right physical condition to sing. I do a short concise vocal warm up. Nothing too intense as I find so many warm ups tire you out before you've even started the show.
I also warm up my neck/ jaw and tongue which really helps me to keep relaxed when doing tough Goldstone sets.
Who would your dream duet partner be?
My dream duet partner would be my fellow Six Queen Natalie May Paris. Her voice is divine! You must come see the show to believe it! She's a star.
What’s your top piece of advice for aspiring performers in terms of finding and maintaining your voice?
My biggest piece of advice would be to just enjoy singing, when you've been in the industry for a while sometimes people can take for granted what an incredible life we lead. Really enjoy what you do and that will shine through in your voice.
Thank you so much Aimie for chatting about all things singing! Be sure to catch Six either on tour, in Edinburgh or in London. More information about the show can be found here.
Interview by Editor, Olivia Mitchell
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