Film Review: SIX the Musical Live!

Review by Daz Gale

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Few shows have had a journey quite as momentous as SIX has in the eight years since its Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut. Their long-running reign in the West End has been matched by global domination with the famous Ex-Wives ruling the world with productions on Broadway and all over the world. Now they are trying their luck at the silver screen with the filmed production finally making its way into cinemas this week – would this prove to be a successful marriage and work just as well in this filmed production or would it be headed for a messy split?

Filmed at the Vaudeville Theatre, the West End home of SIX, three years ago in 2022, the Queendom has been waiting a long time to see the results of this special show. As the original West End Queens reunited long after leaving the musical for a big open-air performance at Hampton Court Palace, the ex-home of their ex-husband, they moved in to the Vaudeville for a few days to capture the performances that still remain iconic with lovers of the musical as the OG monarchs have remained synonymous with the roles ever since.

I have reviewed SIX multiple times over the years and don’t need to mention again how it has gone from strength to strength over the years. It’s use of female empowerment, reclaiming a story and, of course, the anthemic songs from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss have made it one of the biggest musicals to come out of Britain in a very long time. I find a lot of the success in the show is to do with the atmosphere it creates when you go to see it and wasn’t entirely convinced that same magic could be recaptured in a filmed version, as the very essence of the show is in its “live” status (with apologies to the ex-wives who have now died). I needn’t have worried – not only has this filmed captured that magic perfectly, it has also added extra elements to the story that made me see this show in a whole new light.

Beautifully filmed with a knowing of what are the most crucial parts of each number to capture in close up form, the added reactions of the Queens are flawlessly executed, with the glossy approach to the filming allowing for the choreography and costumes to really reveal themselves, giving me appreciation for the details of each on a level I had never quite picked up on my multiple visits over the years. In a slight spoiler for anyone that hasn’t seen it, the moment where Catherine Parr decides to stop the show is handled in a surprising way in this film. I won’t spoil exactly how it is done but look out for a very different approach to the filming during this pivotal moment.

The jewel in the crown of this film is the cast of the original West End Queens – a line-up that remains in even the stoniest heart of any musical theatre lover long after these six talented ladies had departed for pastures new. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and, in this case, it has also allowed for the cast to up the ante, tapping in to the characters in a way like never before. Like revisiting an old friend, these six may well be considered the definitive line-up and this filmed production is a clear testament why.

Jarnéia Richard-Noel is the perfect first Queen as Catherine of Aragon with a style and presence that lights up the screen as much as she does the stage. The version of Anne Boleyn seen in SIX has become iconic in itself and part of that is down to Millie O’Connell who delights with her unapologetic earworm ‘Don’t Lose Your Head’. My personal favourite moment of the show and favourite musical number has always been the striking and emotive ‘Heart Of Stone’ and nobody can sing it better than Natalie Paris. This particular performance is a masterclass in how it should be done – raw, authentic and beautiful, with Natalie’s legendary take on Jane Seymour demonstrating her God-given talents in a moment every bit as stunning as watching it in person.

Alexia McIntosh thrills as Anna of Cleves with ‘Get Down’ always a highlight among the audience, partly down to the participation element. The joy of this moment is clear to see on screen in a sequence impossible not to grin throughout. Aimie Atkinson has proven to be a star since leaving SIX so the opportunity to remember her phenomenal turn as Katherine Howard is every bit as breath-taking as you’d expect. Her playful nature subsiding into the more serious themes prominent in her number ‘All You Wanna Do’ is a perfect example of why SIX has infiltrated the hearts of so many, with this performance in particular beautifully filmed with gorgeous attention to the lighting. Last but by no means least, Maiya Quansah-Breed wraps things up as the final wife Catherine Parr in a performance certainly worthy of a gold star. With some of the strongest vocals of the performance, she certainly ends the “competition” on a high, though there is a reason it is impossible to pick a winner amongst them.

It is the chemistry and camaraderie that elevates the six Queens to something magical. Through the pretend rivalry that permeates the story, there is a genuine bond between the performers that stretches beyond the stage, as apparent in the pop supergroup they formed with SIX alternate Grace Mouat, the brilliantly named SVN. Their energy and group dynamic radiates off the screen here in a shining example to not just the strength of the show but the performers themselves.

Anyone settling in to a screening of this will also be treated to more than just the performance. The film starts with a royal reunion, revisiting the Queens as they prepared for their performances at Hampton Court Palace as well as fresh interviews with all six from earlier this year. This sets up the following performance perfectly, immersing you into the world of SIX but also demonstrating why there is such a vast amount of love for it in the world of theatre and beyond.

There really is no stopping SIX and nor should there be. Setting itself up as something distinctly different from other shows, its success in the last eight years speaks for itself. This filmed production is a fitting look at the legacy of the show but also beautifully accessible for anyone who is a stranger to SIX. Whether you look at this as a standalone film or an addition to the ever-expanding SIX franchise, it remains a fantastic piece of film. Meticulously realised, it manages to add even more to an already flawless production. If you like the show, I have no doubt you’re going to love this film. SIX really is one of a kind, no category and this film is the perfect way to immortalise its epic reign.

‘SIX the Musical Live!’ is in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 6th April.

Watch the trailer below: