"Six (Toronto 2024 Production)" More Show than Musical


     I guarantee you that if someone told you that they were going to do a musical retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII, you'd be intrigued. Obviously there's the whole misogyny angle, and maybe you could work something interesting out of all the different perspectives on someone who generally was not considered a good person, but otherwise you'd think it'd be kind of plain. Never in your life would you imagine it be whatever this is. If you want a quick review of Six, here it is, it's more show than musical, and honestly that's not a bad thing, there really isn't much fluff, it's a big spectacle, but despite it all it's a blast, and only 80 minutes to boot, less than half the length of some musicals.

    When I watched this production earlier today, I have to say that I was genuinely impressed, the lighting, the band, the singing, it really did just feel like a show. The chemistry was on point, the dancing was fun, and there was loads of claps from the audience who loved every second of this show. I really mean it when I praise the dancing and the lights, because listening to the studio recording version of the songs from this musical, it simply pales in comparison. Like they really do elevate the whole show, and surprisingly it works. All the glitz and glamour, the studs, the synths, the beat drops, they all come together to form a cohesive show that never overstays it's welcome.
    
    That is not to say I don't have any complaints about this show though, because honestly, it has one gear, and that's all. I can say with confidence that the weakest part of this musical is when it deviates from all of the showmanship and flashiness that carries it. The two slower acoustic ballads are fine, but honestly it's a bit jarring when you see just how little movement are in them compared to the other pieces. I think if there was some sort of choreography or movement it would make it better, or something to do with the fantastic lighting in the background.

    Other than that my only real complaint is the finale, not the ending itself, or the conclusion they came to, but how they got to it. Look, I love breaking the fourth wall as much as anyone, or well actually I don't. Regardless, I don't mind when people break the fourth wall, but I just felt like it was too sloppy in this musical. I mean they spend like 4 minutes talking to the audience about how this whole show bit stinks, and while that's fine, at one point they broke it for so long I was confused at whether or not it was part of the bit or something was actually off. I guess technically that's the point, but it felt awkward and disjointed enough that I just kind of stood there wishing they moved onto something else.

Final Score: 77/100

    It was enjoyable, and frankly it doesn't set out to do much more than that. If you're looking for some history lesson like you're watching Hamilton, then yeah you'll be disappointed. I mean you learn about them, but it's pretty short overall, and they focus more on entertaining the audience, than educating them, which is the right decision to be honest. I mean it's versatile in terms of genres they include I suppose, but the slower ballads really pale in comparison, you can tell where they put all the focus onto. As long as you enter this musical with an open mind, I think you'll enjoy it, even if some of the banter is a bit cringe, I'll forgive it for the music.

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