Billy Elliot the Forum

I hesitated before deciding to see SIX at Arts Theatre, Great Newport Street, London. The production is described as a pop concert-style musical, some sort of hybrid, by an all female cast and band - a Tudor version of the Spice Girls ? In addition the running time is only about 75 minutes, without an interval, although the ticket prices are not pared down to compensate. The critics reviews were however almost without exception very favourable. So - give it a try. The theatre itself is entered via a cafe bar fronting onto the street at ground level, with the auditorium comprising both stalls and circle at the rear. There are only 350 seats and the place was full the night I was there. I have been to smarter establishments - parts of the place looked like it had picked a fight with an angry dog and lost. However the seats were comfortable, from the sixth row stalls the view was excellent, and the acoustics - importantly - were good. What’s it about ? Basically the six wives of Henry VIII trying to convince the audience who was the best wife, who had been the most ill treated etc. etc. by way of their individual songs . Both the actors and band are on stage throughout, and there are no scene changes. Do you need to know anything about Henry VIII to understand what’s going on ? Not really, but a very basic knowledge of the psychopathic monarch and his court would help you get more out of the lyrics. Throughout the choreography is fun to watch and sometimes frenetic. At times it reminded me of the Kit Kat club in Cabaret. The actors continuously send themselves up, often taking on the guise of ditzy Essex girls. The interaction between the stage and audience added to the night, and from the off the audience gave huge appreciation after every song. A standing ovation at the end, followed by an encore, with the audience joining in. From what I thought might be a night to be endured, instead a show I thoroughly enjoyed and would see again given the chance. Great fun. The show is touring UK late 2019 to mid 2020 and it seems is also showing this month in Chicago (?).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJbaU4j0JCo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB9djL5E1nM

In London for the weekend and decided to visit “SIX” again, as I enjoyed the sheer energy of the production so much last time. I noticed something odd from the outset, before the show started, as there were microphone stands on stage - it’s a small stage and a large part of the show is the choreography, which uses every inch of space. Just before the scheduled start the stage manager appeared and announced that due to last minute illness, injury and also cast members absent on holiday, they could not muster a full six actors. In the best tradition of theatre however, the show must go on ! Because of this Toby Marlow, the co-writer and composer, would appear in the role of Catherine Parr. It was simply not possible to replicate the choreography of the usual show, so a concert version would play instead. I take my hat off (if I had a hat) for his guts in taking this on - it must have been terrifying for him. The sole purpose of the cast, band and crew was to prevent those who had travelled possibly long distances from being disappointed. The audience gave massive support and appreciation throughout. A great evening - live theatre at its best. Wonder what part of BETM Lee Hall could step into at the last minute ?

https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/th ... 00126.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czsfslKOPIs