Theatre Review - SIX The Musical - Auckland - 1st March 2025

SIX the Musical Stock Image
Review By: Ginnelle Cocks
Show: SIX the musical
Venue/City: The Civic Theatre Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 1st March 2025
Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.
Fresh from its triumphant Australian run, SIX premiered in Auckland’s Civic Theatre last Saturday night, bringing Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow’s masterpiece to life as part of the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival 2025 programme. Far from your usual musical this show is more of a pop concert, filled with choreographed high energy dance routines, with each Queen telling their story through song as they compete for “who had it worst” as an ex-Wife of the infamous King Henry VIII of England.
As we arrive at the Civic, the entire lobby is filled with keen theatre-goers in all manner of spectacular outfits, from the sequined suits to the sky-high heels and floor length dresses. Spiked crowns and colourful themed cocktails (somewhat of a tradition at the Civic) all add to the atmosphere as we head inside and take our seats.
The stage set is minimal and simple, as the curtain lifts on the band ‘Ladies in Waiting’ in their positions. Use of lighting mimics church-like windows behind the band and are used throughout the performance in various capacities.
The music starts up and our Queens make their spectacular entrance, with Gabriella Slade’s incredible costumes reflecting the personalities and stories of each Queen. Kimberly Hodgson’s portrayal of Catherine of Aragon is strong and commanding, while Dierdre Khoo’s Anne Boelyn is sassy, sarcastic and witty in unmistakable Boelyn green. As Jane Seymour, Loren Hunter brings a softer more emotional lens, dressed in a slightly more conservative manner with her longer skirts as she delivers a heartfelt rendition of ‘Heart of Stone’.
Bringing the tempo back up after the emotional interlude the Queens band together to perform ‘House of Holbein’ a high energy dance number as we are then introduced to Zelia Rose Kitoko’s Anna of Cleves; divorced by Henry for not looking like her ‘profile pic’.
As Katherine Howard, Chelsea Dawson takes us on a journey as she starts her performance as the strong, independent girl who knows what she wants, to that of a vulnerable young woman, who’s years of succumbing to male desires has left her empty and jaded. Our final Queen Catherine Parr is the sole survivor of her time with Henry. Giorgia Kennedy’s portrayal tells the sad story of a woman identified only by her husbands with her own accomplishments being often glazed over by history.
But this is not about Henry. While he may have been the figure which links them, the final telling is clear; these queens will not be defined by him. SIX is a story of female strength and resilience, and at times, it’s hard not to think back to the ‘girl power’ mania which the late 90s entailed thanks to the Spice Girls.
From the stunning costumes to the powerful performances, SIX is not to be missed and is on now at the Civic Theatre for a limited run throughout March.
Photos By: Ginny Cocks
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Artist/Band: A Day to Remember Supported by Hatebreed
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Date of Event: Saturday 22nd February 2025
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Date of Event: Saturday 8th February 2025
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Venue/City: Black Barn, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 31st January 2025
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Date of Event: Thursday 30th January 2025
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Venue/City: Te Awanga Hall, Te Awing, Napier, New Zealand
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Date of Event: Friday 24th January 2025
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Venue/City: January Meeanee Memorial Hall, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 23rd January 2025
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Date of Event: Sunday 19th January 2025
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Venue/City: Rosemary’s, Taupo, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 9th January 2025
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Date of Event: Saturday 21st December 2024
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Review By: Leeza E
Artist/Band: The Jungle Giants Support by PARK RD
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event:Friday 2nd May 2025
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Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Review By: Andra Jenkin
Artist: Ben Elton
Venue/City: Sky City Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 29th April 2025
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Venue/City: Auckland Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 26th April 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: The Bitter Brothers
Venue/City: The Common Room, Hastings, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 26th April 2025
Review By: Faith Hamblyn
Artist/Band: TOTO Supported by Christopher Cross
Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday, 23rd April 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: John Craigie Supported by Kitty Day
Venue/City: Maraekakaho Hall, Hastings, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 19th April 2025
Review By: Sarah Kidd
Artist/Band: Bad Manners
Venue/City: The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 16th April 2025
Review By: Sarah Kidd
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Venue/City: Auckland Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Review By: Annora Gollop
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Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: The New Zealand KISS Experience
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 29th March 2025
Review by: Faith Hamblyn
Artist/Band: Kristin Hersh Supported by Jon Muq
Venue/City: The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 21st March 2025
Review By: Riccardo Ball
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Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 21st March 2025
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Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 19th March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Hot Potato Band
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 18th March 2025
Review By: Leeza E
Artist/Band: The Stranglers SUP by Merryn Jeann
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 13th March 2025
Lewis and Henry de Jong of Aotearoa/New Zealand Metal band Alien Weaponry talk to Riccardo about growing up on the road, working with Josh Wilbur, having Randy Blythe of Lamb of God guest on their new record and remembering to do the dishes amongst other things!
Review By: Riccardo Ball
Artist/Band: Slipknot SUP by Northlane
Venue/City: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 11th March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: My Baby SUP by Ash Sales
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 6th March 2025
Riccardo Ball wraps up a quick 5 minutes with JJ Burnel of The Stranglers
ahead of their tour down-under this March.
Look-out for the full interview on The Metal Bar & Libel Music.
Review By: Riccardo Ball
Artist/Band: Jinjer Supported by Khadga
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Monday 3rd March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
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Venue/City: Brewtown, Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
Date of Event: Sunday 2nd March 2025
Review By: Ginnelle Cocks
Show: SIX the musical
Venue/City: Civic Theatre Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 1st March 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: M Ward Sup by Tom Cunliffe
Venue/City: Te Awanga Community Hall, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 28th February 2025
Review By: Collaborated Review by (ADTR - Steve Shyu), (Hatebreed - Riccardo Ball)
Artist/Band: A Day to Remember Supported by Hatebreed
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Tuesday 25th February 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Distance, Myriad Drone Supported by Fvkvshima
Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday 22nd February 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Arahi (Presented by the small hall sessions)
Venue/City: King George Hall, Bay View, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 14th February 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Shihad (SUP by Jakob)
Venue/City: Black Barn, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Date of Event: Friday 31st January 2025
Review By: Riccardo Ball
Artist/Band: Wardruna (SUP by Turongo Collective)
Venue/City: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event: Thursday 30th January 2025
Review By: Rob Harbers
Artist/Band: Charm of Finches
Venue/City: Te Awanga Hall, Te Awing, Napier, New Zealand
Date of Event: Wednesday 29th January 2025
Photos By: Leoni Moreland
Artist/Band: The Jungle Giants Support by PARK RD
Venue/City: Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Event:Friday 2nd May 2025