Showing posts sorted by relevance for query six. Sort by date Show all posts
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Monday 14 September 2020
Six to be the first West End musical to open post-Lockdown
The international smash-hit SIX announces that it will be the first West End musical to reopen since Lockdown
Electrifying musical phenomenon SIX by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss will become the first West End musical to resume performances in a West End theatre when the show temporarily moves from its home at the Arts Theatre to the Lyric on Shaftesbury Avenue for a limited 11-week run beginning on Saturday November 14 through to January 31, 2021.
SIX will perform 9 shows a week at the Lyric Theatre. Capacity has been reduced to comply with COVID-19 Secure guidelines for social distancing plus robust risk mitigation. In addition to hand sanitation, face coverings and track and trace, other measures will include contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep clean and sanitation of the theatre.
Simultaneously SIX is announcing that the UK Touring Cast will resume performances in the Lyric Theatre at the Lowry in Salford from Friday November 27, 2020 for a 6-week Christmas season.
SIX producers Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles say, ‘Across our two UK productions of SIX we have the opportunity to give work to 100 or so actors, musicians, technicians, stage managers, production managers, costume makers, marketing, press, ticketing and office staff. We accept that with social distancing it is unlikely to be economically viable, but we hope to entertain many thousands of theatregoers who have been starved of live entertainment since March. We hope that opening SIX will help build audience confidence and bring business back to the local economy. We also understand that restarting productions, particularly musicals, remains impossible for most producers for reasons of scale, finance and lack of cancellation insurance. We continue to look forward to the day when social distancing is removed and theatre can play to 100% capacity.”
SIX has become a global phenomenon since its early days as a student production in a 100-seat room at Sweet Venue during the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As the pandemic struck, SIX was playing to sold out houses in London’s West End, across the UK and Australia, and had its opening night in New York on Thursday March 12 cancelled when the New York Governor shut down Broadway three hours before the show was due to open.
SIX will return to the Arts Theatre in March 2021 subject to the lifting of social distancing, and ‘Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical’ opens at the Lyric.
Tickets for SIX at the LYRIC THEATRE will go on sale at 8am Friday 18 September
Photos by Eleanor Howarth
Friday 18 March 2022
Six The Musical to be Performed Live at Hampton Court Palace
Worldwide hit musical SIX, created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will play three open-air concert performances at Hampton Court Palace, reuniting the original West End Queens and performing within the iconic main courtyard of their infamous ex-husband’s former residence on Sunday 19 June and two performances on Monday 20 June, 2022.
This production, staged in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity which cares for Hampton Court Palace - will see the global musical phenomenon staged outdoors for the first time, in front of an audience of over 3,000 at each performance.
SIX Live at Hampton Court Palace will reunite the original West End line-up of Olivier Award nominated cast members; Jarnéia Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon), Millie O’Connell (Anne Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Alexia McIntosh (Anna of Cleves), Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard) and Maiya Quansah-Breed (Catherine Parr).
The production will be co-directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, with choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, musical supervision by Joe Beighton and costumes by Gabriella Slade based on the original staging with Scenic Design by Emma Bailey, Lighting Design by Tim Deiling, Sound Design by Paul Gatehouse and Orchestrations by Tom Curran.
Speaking about SIX Live at Hampton Court Palace, producers said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces and reuniting our original West End Queens for three performances. While SIX continues to triumph worldwide, we are thrilled to be celebrating this home-grown musical and staging it within the beautiful grounds of Hampton Court Palace this summer.”
Liz Young, Head of Events at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “Bringing the phenomenon that is SIX to Hampton Court Palace has been a long-term aspiration, and we’re delighted that this summer loyal fans and newcomers alike will get the chance to experience the award-winning show in the very place where the lives, loves and legacies of these legendary Queens live on.”
SIX has become a global phenomenon since its debut as a student production at the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival in 2017. Since then, and following the reopening of theatres across the world,
performances have resumed in London’s West End, on Broadway and in Sydney (as part of an Australia anNew Zealand Tour), with a brand-new production opening in Chicago later this month, and a second North American Tour due to open in July.
SIX was nominated for five Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Supporting Role, for which the Hampton Court Palace cast were collectively nominated. It won the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2019, and was most recently awarded Best West End Show at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2022.
The music from SIX has also achieved global prominence, with its hit songs streamed over 340 million times across all platforms, with over 2 million views on YouTube and 3 billion views on TikTok, making it one of the world’s most successful cast recordings in music history. In October 2021 the original studio cast recording was officially awarded Gold status, in an event streamed globally, live on TikTok.
On-Sale Information
Priority On-Sale opens at 10am on Saturday 19 March
to existing Historical Royal Palace Members
and subscribers to the SIX UK Mailing List
General On-Sale opens at 10am on Sunday 20 March
Booking link
www.sixthemusical.com/london/tickets
Performance Times
Sunday 19 June - 9pm
Monday 20 June - 3pm* and 9pm
The performance will last approx. 80 minutes without an interval and will feature flashing lights, strobe effects, theatrical haze and loud music.
*Monday 20 June 3pm will integrate British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation throughout the performance.
Ticketing Information
The appearance of any particular cast member cannot be guaranteed in the unforeseen event of illness or other circumstances beyond producers’ control. Maximum of 8 tickets per transaction. Tickets are available exclusively through SIX Tickets without booking/transaction fees. Tickets sold elsewhere are in breach of the T&Cs and liable to be cancelled. Please check all terms and conditions regarding entry, the event and further information prior to booking.
Venue information
The formal East Front Gardens are open for SIX Ticket Holders up to four hours prior to each performance where attendees are welcome to experience Hampton Court Palace Gardens.
SIX at Hampton Court is an outdoor event and therefore open to the elements.
Undercover seating can be selected at the time of booking.
No umbrellas are permitted during the performance.
Access Information
A number of wheelchair spaces and adjacent companion seats are available at each performance, subject to availability at the time of booking. In addition, wheelchair and ambulant accessibility requirements can be accommodated in other areas of the auditorium, subject to availability, booked on a first come first serve basis. Further venue information is available here.
Priority On-Sale opens at 10am on Saturday 19 March
to existing Historical Royal Palace Members
and subscribers to the SIX UK Mailing List
General On-Sale opens at 10am on Sunday 20 March
Booking link
www.sixthemusical.com/london/tickets
Performance Times
Sunday 19 June - 9pm
Monday 20 June - 3pm* and 9pm
The performance will last approx. 80 minutes without an interval and will feature flashing lights, strobe effects, theatrical haze and loud music.
*Monday 20 June 3pm will integrate British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation throughout the performance.
Ticketing Information
The appearance of any particular cast member cannot be guaranteed in the unforeseen event of illness or other circumstances beyond producers’ control. Maximum of 8 tickets per transaction. Tickets are available exclusively through SIX Tickets without booking/transaction fees. Tickets sold elsewhere are in breach of the T&Cs and liable to be cancelled. Please check all terms and conditions regarding entry, the event and further information prior to booking.
Venue information
The formal East Front Gardens are open for SIX Ticket Holders up to four hours prior to each performance where attendees are welcome to experience Hampton Court Palace Gardens.
SIX at Hampton Court is an outdoor event and therefore open to the elements.
Undercover seating can be selected at the time of booking.
No umbrellas are permitted during the performance.
Access Information
A number of wheelchair spaces and adjacent companion seats are available at each performance, subject to availability at the time of booking. In addition, wheelchair and ambulant accessibility requirements can be accommodated in other areas of the auditorium, subject to availability, booked on a first come first serve basis. Further venue information is available here.
Monday 6 June 2022
Six in the West End to be Filmed Live from the Vaudeville Theatre
The producers of Six the Musical are pleased to announce that the original principal cast members of SIX will remain in (re)formation following next month’s sold out, open-air performances at Hampton Court Palace, swapping the cobblestones of their infamous ex-husband’s courtyard for the silver screen, with a cinematic capture of the production to be filmed at the Vaudeville Theatre.
The film, recorded for future release, will immortalise the hit West End production and feature the original West End Queens Jarnéia Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon), Millie O’Connell (Anne Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Alexia McIntosh (Anna of Cleves), Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard) and Maiya Quansah-Breed (Catherine Parr). Since the show’s first full run at the Arts Theatre in 2019, the ‘OG’ Monarchs have become synonymous with the show, earning an Olivier Award nomination for their roles, and winning a legion of loyal fans for their royal portrayals.
From Monday 27 June, performances of Six at the Vaudeville will be suspended for four nights to create a film that combines the best elements of live theatre and cinema, culminating in a performance on Friday 1 July for the show’s biggest fans - the Queendom.
The film of Six will be directed by Liz Clare, who most recently directed Adele - Live at the London Palladium.
A limited number of tickets for the performance on Friday 1 July will be made available to purchase via a public ballot, which opens at 10am on Friday 10 June via the production’s social media channels. Lucky winners will be given the opportunity pose on the purple carpet, pose for photos, and be part of SIX history - the ultimate bragging rights to the show’s most ardent fans.
Creators of Six Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss said: “Having our original Oliviers cast captured on film is just such an exciting, mind-blowing prospect. We are so thrilled that we are finally going to be able to share their incredible performances of our show with the whole world! Live captures are SUCH an important part of the world of theatre accessibility today - and we are so very grateful that we get this opportunity to share the six queens’ story this way.”
The seating capacity of the Vaudeville Theatre will be reduced to allow for the camera and sound equipment necessary to capture the performance. Some sightlines may be affected, and access seats will remain available for patrons who require them, subject to availability.
Six, which now has productions in London, on Broadway (for which it recently received eight Tony Award nominations), and tours across the UK, North America and Australia, is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy and Andy Barnes, and George Stiles.
Performances at the Vaudeville Theatre, featuring the reigning West End cast will resume on Saturday 2 July.
photo credit: Idil Sukan
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.
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.
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
Read my original Six review here
photo credit: Idil Sukan
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
Tuesday 11 June 2019
Vicki Manser on Bringing Herstory to Life in Six the Musical | Interview
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss' musical Six is taking the West End, and the world by storm. Telling the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII through the form of an epic, high energy, hugely entertaining pop concert, it is a hit with fans of all ages. This is in part due to the fantastic writing but also thanks to the sublime cast who bring the queens to life every night.
Vicki Manser joined the show in January as an amazing alternate who gets a chance to don the crown of each queen and strut her stuff at the Arts Theatre. Vicki told us about the show, who she'd like to play her in her own pop concert musical and what she'd say to Henry VIII if she got the chance...
Can you describe the show in Six words?
Seventy-Five minutes of pure genius!
You recently finished starring in Bat Out of Hell which is a rock musical, how does that compare vocally to performing in a pop musical?
In terms of vocal technique Rock and Pop sit quite closely together and share a lot of the same placements so in some ways very similar actually! But I definitely get to use more speech quality and character driven singing in Six for example in Boleyn’s song and Cleves’ song and I just love that the whole show is a gig/concert type vibe. I get to pretend to be a pop star for an hour and 15 minutes and that is SO FUN! Your vocals are also much more exposed in Six with there only being Six of you onstage as opposed to 20 plus so there is no where to hide…. Not that I tried to in Bat… I couldn’t even if I wanted to with that pink mullet haha!
If you could go back to Henry VIII’s time which queens life would you like to live?
NONE OF THEM!!!! Haha! As much as I love learning about the Tudor history and telling the Queens stories; I don’t fancy having to live any of their lives! But I guess if I absolutely HAD to, then being given your own palace in Richmond wouldn’t be too shabby. So Cleves it is!
Which wife do you think had the worse life?
Well, none of them had it fantastic, but Howard has gotta be up there with the worst. Her story of abuse started so young before Henry was even on the scene! She had to be married to him when she was just 16 and he was 49 and THEN she was beheaded…. I know, I know!
If you could say anything to Henry VIII what would you say?
‘Off with his head!’ HA PAYBACK!… no, I'm kidding… two wrongs don’t make a right guys…!
If your life was going to be made into a pop musical, who would you want to play you?
I think my little sister, Kimberley Manser, is the perfect candidate for this! She knows me inside out and backwards so would play me and all my quirks down to a T! She's great at impressions and she always answers my phone to my boyfriend and he thinks it's me EVERY time! She’s also the most SENSATIONAL pop singer (not even being biased lol) so she’d make me sound really good!
You’re Artistic Director of Sharpe Academy, tell us a bit about that
I am indeed!!! So Sharpe Academy is a Musical Theatre school that's been running all across North West London for 11 years and this year we are opening a brand new college offering a 3 year Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre which I am so excited for! I trained with Sharpe before my professional training and then went on to be their company choreographer and now I'm Artistic Director for the college! I have always loved choreographing and teaching and I can't wait to share my knowledge with aspiring performers and help them to reach their goals! So if you have finished your GCSE's OR A levels and are looking for a vocational course and professional training to get you industry ready, come and check us out!
We have a FANTASTIC team of people with tonnes of experience to offer in dance, singing, acting and acrobatics and are very fortunate to have our INCREDIBLE patrons supporting us; Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and Giovanni Spanó. We also hold a Guinness World Record for the fastest theatrical production so that's pretty cool! Come join the Fam!
What’s your top piece of advice for aspiring performers?
The industry is HARD... there is no point in sugar coating it ... but if you're determined, you work hard, believe in yourself and NEVER give up .. then one day you will get there ... no matter how long it takes!
Six is currently running at the Arts Theatre and will be embarking on a UK Tour from October 2019
Interview by Olivia Mitchell
photo credit: Danny Kaan
Tuesday 8 November 2022
Benjamin Rauhala & his West End Besties at Cadogan Hall
Fourth Wall Live are delighted to announce BENJAMIN RAUHALA & HIS WEST END BESTIES at the Cadogan Hall on Sunday 5 February at 6.30pm. Tickets on sale now www.fw-live.com/ben
One of Broadway’s most trusted music directors and collaborators, Benjamin Rauhala will be joined on stage by stars of the West End including Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Soho Cinders), Paisley Billings (Six, The Lion King, ‘Tattoo Fixers’), Lauren Drew (Six, Heathers, Legally Blonde, ‘The Voice’), Hiba Elchikhe (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Aladdin), WhatsOnStage Award nominee Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet, Bonnie & Clyde, Bat Out of Hell), Ben Joyce (Back to the Future, Jersey Boys), Claudia Kariuki (Six, Wicked, School of Rock), Olivier Award nominee Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie & Clyde, Heathers, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour), Zara MacIntosh (&Juliet, Six) Olivier Award nominee Natalie Paris (Six, Billy Elliot, Les Miserables), Courtney Stapleton (‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast, Six), Jodie Steele (Six, Heathers) Benjamin Yates (Jersey Boys, School of Rock, Wicked). Guests are subject to change.
Music director Benjamin Rauhala’s love affair with the London theatre community and actors of the West End has been ongoing since his first sold-out concerts with Jeremy Jordan in the summer of 2016. Rauhala grew up obsessed with British pop music, including a subscription to Top of the Pops magazine! As a mainstay of the Broadway community, he has produced hundreds of sold-out concerts that spawned viral YouTube concert clips totalling * totalling over 56million views, including Jeremy Jordan’s ubiquitous cover of “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” and the many medleys featured in his Broadway Princess Party concert series.
Rauhala found that everyone he met in London had a favourite one of those videos and wanted to chat about it, so he had an idea: what if he gathered a dozen of his favourite West End performers with an epic band and re-created some of those beloved videos, as well as crafting some new arrangements for these amazing singers? On the heels of a sold-out run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Jeremy Jordan and in preparation to play the London Palladium with Ariana DeBose and for an upcoming international tour of Disney Princess The Concert, this was the perfect moment to create a concert unlike anything London has ever seen! BENJAMIN RAUHALA AND HIS WEST END BESTIES will be a night filled with Rauhala’s signature mashups and medleys, some of the best contemporary musical theatre, some radically rearranged Disney tunes, and, of course, tunes from the likes of Céline Dion, the Spice Girls, Selena Gomez, and Sam Smith!
Benjamin Rauhala is the Music Supervisor, co-creator, and ‘Fairy Godfairy’ of Disney Princess - The Concert, touring over 100 cities in North America throughout 2022, and internationally in 2023. He helped conceive and arrange the opening and closing numbers of the 2022 Tony Awards for Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose. Rauhala has toured the world since 2014 as the music director forJeremy Jordan, the Tony-nominated star of Broadway's Newsies and TV’s ‘Supergirl’, and in 2020, Rauhala was named 'Best Musical Director' at the Broadway World Cabaret Awards.
His Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof, American Psycho, and Pippin. His Off-Broadway credits include Hit List, the meta-musical from the NBC television show Smash, Duncan Sheik’s The Secret Life of Bees and David Byrne’s Joan of Arc: Into The Fire. He is also the music director for Academy Award Winner Ariana DeBose, Halston star Krysta Rodriguez, Tony Award nominees Derek Klena, Jennifer Damiano, Kathryn Gallagher, and Disney legend Jodi Benson, as well as Nashville star Kyle Dean Massey, Anastasia star Christy Altomare, Smash star Andy Mientus, Moulin Rouge star Ashley Loren, and Frozen stars Caroline Bowman and Austin Colby.
Rauhala co-founded the Write Out Loud songwriting competition with Mean Girls Tony Award nominee Taylor Louderman, which is currently in its fourth season of supporting the next generation of composers. Additionally, he is an Original Programming Producer at 54 Below, where he has created hundreds of sold-out concerts, including the Broadway Loves Series, that has famously honored Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, and many more beloved pop icons.
Follow him @brauhala
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
Wednesday 11 January 2023
Six the Musical, Vaudeville Theatre | Review
Six the Musical
Vaudeville Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 10th January 2022 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
Entering the Vaudeville theatre last night there was a bustling energy, not just because everyone was excited to see Six but because the cast of the highly addictive tv show, the Traitors were in the audience. Murmurs of “traitor” and “faithful” filled the air and the buzz was certainly something, who knew we’d all be so starstruck!? However, once the curtain was drawn it was all eyes on the Queens and a glorious 75 minutes followed.
Going into a new year it’s great to see that Six the Musical is as vibrant and wonderful as ever. The current queens of the castle do an outstanding job of keeping the energy of the show fresh and truly engaging so that both first time audiences audiences and longtime Six fans can feel like they’re experiencing something special.
The cast, made up of Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, Baylie Carson, Claudia Kariuki, Dionne Ward-Anderson, Koko Basigara and Roxanne Couch are a complete group of powerhouses who give stellar solo performances as well as backing up and complementing each other brilliantly. The camaraderie on stage is clear to see and really adds to the overall message of empowerment and support which is at the heart of the show. Special mention must go to Baylie Carson who is an absolute dream to watch as they bring something completely fresh and charming to the role of Anne Boleyn; I cannot wait to see all their future theatrical endeavours (Fangirls UK please!)
Having been playing at the Vaudeville theatre since 2021 the show feels completely settled and has perfectly upgraded from its first long term home, the Arts, to now filling the space on the Strand. The bigger space allows more to witness to wonder of the musical but the clever, cosy set design means none of the intimacy is lost. Emma Bailey's design is the ideal backdrop for this concert style musical. The simplistic framework really allows the performances to shine but there are also some really clever elements such as the throne which rises up grandly. Paired with Tim Deiling's lighting, you really do get the fully visceral concert experience.
A Tudor tale like no other Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss' show continues to get better and better and there's no end in sight for its reign of brilliance. Six the Musical will have you bowing down to the queens and then on your feet to dance along with them- go see this show.
photo credit: Pamela Raith
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
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