The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX is on UK Tour!
Winner of the Tony Award for ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Costume Design’, double winner of the Whatsonstage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ and a Gold-Disk winning album, this sell-out Tudor take-off has ‘an incredibly strong and powerful message’ (The Australian) and is ‘pure entertainment’ (New York Times).
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.
Rosabella Gregory took time out from her busy schedule to answer some questions about the show.
Six has such a unique energy – what’s it like performing in a show that blends history and pop music?
It is brilliant fun. The music and orchestrations are exquisitely crafted. The score is powerful and spine-tingling to perform. As a composer myself, it’s fascinating to study how the show’s creators have used a modern form – pop music – so effectively to tell a story that is set in Tudor Times(!) The result is entirely relatable, engaging and accessible to a wider (global!) audience.
How does your role contribute to the overall experience of Six?
My role as Musical Director is to look after the music, which is of course, a fundamental component of the show. I also play a Lady In Waiting – Joan, who is a historical figure.
Do you have a favourite Queen, and why?
It is impossible to pick one. Each have qualities that I admire and respect. Each has their own quirks, nuances and flaws. The beauty of these characters is that – when they work together, in harmony, for the good of the whole – they become PHENOMENAL.
What’s the most challenging aspect of performing this show?
My role is technically demanding, and stakes are high. So my challenge is to be fully present, so that I can make sure everyone feels secure and the show runs smoothly. I also have a tendency to groove about when I’m playing the piano, so my biggest challenge will be to keep my head from bobbing about too much!
The band plays such a big role – what’s it like being part of the “Ladies in Waiting”?
Performing with other musicians is my happy place. Much of my band leading has been in the company of male musicians so I’m very pleased to have a female cohort on this show and grateful to the writers for creating a work that addresses what has long been a gender imbalance in orchestral pits.
How does it feel knowing that Six has become such a massive global phenomenon?
Having been immersed in this show for many weeks now and witnessed the skill, humour and sheer love that has poured into the work both in the writing, the direction, choreography, wardrobe, sound, lighting, staging – all the respective creative departments and their attention to detail and pursuit of excellence – I’m not remotely surprised by its success!
What’s your favourite fan reaction you’ve seen or heard?
My mind was blown by the mini queens I saw in the audience at The Vaudeville some months ago. Six little girls (probably no older than 8 years old) absolutely smashing it as the Six Queens with identical – albeit miniature – outfits. Epic London Fashion Week/ Jean Paul Gaultier vibes.
If you could rewrite history and add another famous Queen to the show, who would it be?
(Assuming I can’t pick my Mum)… For me, It would not be an actual queen. I’d pick a female who has used their position of power and influence to look out for the vulnerable in society. Michelle Obama. Toni Morrison. Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Nina Simone. Historically, trailblazing / progressive women haven’t been as documented as meticulously as their male counterparts. BUT…. “Six” is actively addressing this.
What’s your favourite number to perform?
This is like asking me who my favourite queen is….! They’re all bangers. Each song has moments of joy and evokes big emotions in me. I lean towards the anthemic “Six” because contained somewhere between those musical notes and lyrics, is the spirit of the show – love, acceptance, community, sisterhood and kindness. It’s poignant. Life is fleeting and we sometimes miss the importance of connection.
What does Six mean to you personally?
It is a new and exciting chapter for me. I get to work with brilliant, talented people of all ages and backgrounds and together we are sharing a vision and serving the story.
Six the Musical is at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Tue 20 May 2025 – Sat 24 May 2025
For full UK Tour dates, visit Six the Musical Website