SIX

I have the goal of seeing 100 plays/musicals this year. It's mid-July, and I'm in the 60s, so it's safe to say I will make this goal. There is a ton of theatre to see in my area, but there's even more if I take a trip. I had heard about Six probably on the Playbill website. As soon as I saw the premise, I knew I HAD to see it. It's been playing in London for a little bit, and it's now at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre for a few more weeks before transferring to Boston. (It's supposed to be going to Broadway next year - fingers crossed!) I went to Chicago over Memorial Day (so I wouldn't have to take off work) in order to see it.

 

Divorced, Beheaded, Died. Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.

 

Six could be described as the West End's answer to Hamilton. It's a historical pop concert extraordinaire. Six tells the story of Henry the VII's six wives. But imagine they're the Spice Girls. They all get together to tell their stories in a pop concert. No longer in the shadow of the husband they shared, each one if vying for the prize of "who had it worse?" Each queen sings her song of herstory and is based on a different pop diva (or a combination of some.) You get vibes of Beyoncé, Avril Lavigne, Adele, Britney, Ariana. And with the exception of Jane Seymour (the only one he ever loved) who has a slow Adele type song, every song is a party that makes you want to dance. (Note: the London cast recording is available to purchase or stream wherever you tend to do those things. I highly recommend it. In fact, I was so obsessed once I saw the show that I listened to it nonstop for about 3 days. My coworkers were probably so sick if it.)

 

I had great seats. I was way off to the side, but I was really close. Plus I didn't spend much at all. I love feminist retellings of things. I love the whole "girl power" motif. The women grow as people (I hesitate to say characters since they are based on real people) throughout the show. I went into the show knowing Anne Boleyn was beheaded, but that was about it. I learned some herstory (side note: I hate the word herstory, but it really fits for this musical.) The last song sums it up so well.

 

"One of a kind, no category.

Too many years lost in his story."

 

For all of history, these women have been known only by their marriages to the same man. I love that we live in a time where other aspects of history are being studied. So much has been left out, and we're not getting the full picture.



For the last part, the cast encourages you to take out your phones. That's how I have this picture. The all-women band is called The Ladies-in-Waiting, too. Isn't that awesome? If you can get to Chicago in the next couple of weeks, go see this show at the Shakespeare Theatre. Or if Boston is more convenient, go see it there once it transfers. I know I 'll have to go see it again.