SIX The Musical Becomes the Highest Selling Show at QPAC's Playhouse

This Australian production played a record breaking 15-week run at Sydney Opera House in 2022.

By: Feb. 01, 2023
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SIX The Musical Becomes the Highest Selling Show at QPAC's Playhouse

The Australian tour of SIX the Musical, the Tony Award-winning electrifying musical phenomenon by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, has once again broken box office records, this time becoming the highest selling show ever to play at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Playhouse.

Currently on its final stop in Brisbane, this Australian production played a record breaking 15-week run at Sydney Opera House in 2022 where it become the longest running show ever at the iconic venue. SIX further enjoyed imperial reigns with rapturous acclaim by both critics and audiences alike in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, and an encore season in Sydney.

Brisbane audiences have only three weeks remaining to experience this global phenomenon before it closes on Sunday, 19 February 2023.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the response from Brisbane audiences to SIX the Musical had been immediate and remarkable.

"Even prior to the season opening, the anticipation and demand for tickets was building for SIX and it has only increased thanks to outstanding reviews and audiences spreading the word," he said.

"There is an exciting buzz and energy around this production that's quite unique. We always knew it would be a hit with our audiences but even we've been surprised by how quickly it has become our highest-selling production in the Playhouse.

"Our congratulations to the stellar company and the producers of SIX the Musical for proving that this production is one you do not want to miss," Mr Kotzas said.

"Achieving this record-breaking run at QPAC has capped off what has been an amazing year for this phenomenal production. We thank Brisbane audiences for their enthusiasm, warmth, and acknowledgement of the talent onstage and off, which all contribute to making SIX the outstanding complete entertainment package that it is," said producer Louise Withers.

The witty, pop-fueled musical packed full of sass remixes the history of the six wives of Henry VIII - Britain's notorious Tudor King - as they take to the microphone and reclaim their HERstories, once and for all: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr.

The incredible Queens reigning supreme on stage include Phoenix Jackson Mendoza playing the first wife, the sassy Catherine of Aragon. The rule-breaking second wife Anne Boleyn is played by Kala Gare. Loren Hunter in the role of the loyal third wife Jane Seymour. The independent Anna of Cleves is played by Kiana Daniele. Chelsea Dawson takes on the role of the playful fifth wife, Katherine Howard and Vidya Makan plays the surviving wife, the empowering Catherine Parr.

Joining the SIX Australian Queens are the extremely talented swings made up of Madeline Fansler, Karis Oka, and Shannen Alyce Quan, Dance Captain/Swing Chiara Assetta and Resident Choreographer / Alternate Swing Cristina D'Agostino. Also supported by the SIX band Ladies in Waiting including Music Director / Keys Claire Healey, Assistant Music Director / Keys Heidi Maguire, Kathryn Stammers on Drums, Debbie Yap on Guitar and Jessica Dunn and Ann Metry on Bass.

Since its early days as a student production in a 100-seat room at Sweet Venue during the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SIX has continued its reign and has become a global phenomenon. Its Studio Album has achieved in excess of 500 million streams across all platforms worldwide, over three billion views on TikTok and has recently reached Gold status. In May 2022, a live recording, captured from the star-studded opening night performance on Broadway was released, which topped iTunes charts the world over, and has already amassed over 10 million streams.

Recently SIX victoriously recommenced on the West End, across the UK and on Broadway it won two Tony Awards - to Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss for Best Original Score and to Gabriella Slade for Best Costume Design, four Drama Desk Awards and three Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Musical. SIX was nominated for five Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and won the 2022 WhatsonStage Award for Best West End Show, voted for by the public. Most recently the London cast performed live in front of the Royal Family as part of Queen Elizabeth II's televised 'Party at the Palace' celebrations in honour of the Platinum Jubilee, watched by a UK audience of over 13 million. The original West End cast also performed live from Hampton Court Palace at three sold-out performances to a combined audience of over 9,000 fans.

SIX the Musical has book, lyrics and music by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. It is directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage and choregraphed by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. Set Design is by Emma Bailey, Costume Design is by Gabriella Slade, Lighting Design is by Tim Deiling and Sound Design is by Paul Gatehouse. The Orchestrator is Tom Curran and Musical Supervisor is Joe Beighton.

Originally produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes, and George Stiles.

Produced in Australia by Louise Withers, Michael Coppel and Linda Bewick.



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