It’s been a massive month for Six – with its UK creators picking up two Tony Awards – writers, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss won for Best Original Score for the iconic Six soundtrack, whilst the talented Gabriella Slade won Best Costume Design of a Musical – and their Hampton Court Palace performances kicked off with the original cast. It’s huge for the Queendom of this much-loved British musical, which had its humble beginnings as an Edinburgh Fringe show.
Plus, they gave a knockout performance on both days at West End LIVE 2022 last weekend, to swarms of adoring fans.
We also saw the third and final episode of our exclusive Six Backstage Vlog! So, we thought we’d look back and share six videos we love from Six.
1. Six sing it from the rooftops!
In the build up to West End LIVE 2022, the Six Queens gave a surprise pop-up performance as part of our Sing it from the Rooftops series! We had Tina in Covent Garden, & Juliet on Oxford Street and Dear Evan Hansen on Canada House. On the third and final day, the Queens stood on top of the National Gallery and belted out to the crowds at Trafalgar Square.
2. West End LIVE 2022 collaboration with The Choir Of Man
Last weekend, we had an incredible time at West End LIVE in Trafalgar Square. You can catch highlights and performances on our YouTube channel here. And the crowd really lost their heads for this incredible collaboration with The Choir Of Man, in a moment that felt as exciting as when the boys school meets the girls school to join in the school play. The cast sung a duet of Heart of Stone, with Matt Beveridge and Claudia Kariuki as lead vocalists.
3. Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss: Same Interview, (Nearly) 3 Years Later
What’s now a global sensation started out in 2016, when Cambridge student Toby Marlow invited his friend Lucy Moss to write the show together. The show premiered in Edinburgh in 2017, and has now reached the West End, Australia, New Zealand and now Broadway. It’s so fun to look back on their interview three years ago, and to hear their answers to the same questions now that the Queendom has grown bigger and bigger.
4. Six The Musical Queens give advice to their younger selves | IWD2020
It’s a pretty special thing to get advice from the Queens themselves. This video came out two years ago, when shows were closing due to the pandemic and theatreland was in uncertain times. To celebrate International Woman’s Day, we asked the 2020 cast what advice they would give to their younger selves, and there’s definitely some lessons in there for all of us. “Stop worrying about what people think of you… Everything happens for a reason and at the exact time that it should… Everybody’s journey is different… Keep going, you’re stronger than you think you are and you’re going to have absolute bliss coming to you…”
5. Six on Red Carpet Live – Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard
See the original cast glam up on the Olivier Awards red carpet and chat with Angellica Bell and Gok Wan. Each Queen breaks down which pop stars influence their character, with Alexia McIntosh explaining how Anna of Cleves is inspired by Grace Jones meets Nicki Minaj. We love how Millie O’Connell is still strongly representing her character Anne Boleyn by wearing green. This was an iconic moment for the show, which was nominated for five Olivier Awards, including Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (for all six Queens) and Best New Musical. You can currently catch Aimee Atkinson as Vivienne Ward in Pretty Woman.
6. Six Backstage Vlog – Parts 1, 2 and 3
In this exclusive three part vlog, we hand over the camera to the Queens themselves. The current cast take us backstage to show us around and share what goes on backstage. Meet the cast, including the swings and alternates who might be called upon last minute to step into a role. They talk us through the wigs, the prop list and even the button that controls Anna of Cleves’ throne! Plus did you know there’s a special machine that cleans the microphones? I didn’t! I also didn’t know that the swings and alternates actually practice along backstage while the show is going on live.
For anyone else completely obsessed with the costumes in Six (designed by Olivier Award-nominated Gabriella Slade) you’ll love the close up look at the wardrobe. We also love Anne Boleyn (or Bo-Bo’s) hilarious hoop skirt dance. Learn how the Queens warm up, the songs they sing together and their fun pre-show rituals. When asked what her favourite part of the show is, a stage manager says, “All of it. It’s just such a feel-good show”.
Watch all three parts of the vlog here, including the final episode which shows behind the scenes at the singalong performance.