SIX, the Musical Is Coming to Manila, Philippines

(SPOT.ph) Listen up, let me tell you a story! GMG Productions, which brought us international hit musicals Miss Saigon and Hamilton, announced on March 8 that SIX is coming to Manila. The British musical comedy is set to open at The Theatre at Solaire in October.

SIX in Manila: Play Dates, Tickets Pre-Sale

Set for a strictly limited season, the Manila run is from October 1 to 20, with tickets available starting on April 19 only through Ticketworld. If you wish to get early access to tickets during the pre-sale period from April 15 to 17, sign up through the GMG Productions website from March 10 to April 12. UnionBank cardholders also get pre-sale access.

What SIX, the Musical Is About

SIX, specifically stylized in all caps, is a British musical comedy by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. It combines history with pop concert vibes for a modern retelling of the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII. So it's just right that this announcement came on International Women's Day.

The six Tudor queens, namely Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr, are victims of Henry VIII's notorious marital escapades. But instead of the somber tones of historical tragedy, they belt out powerful pop anthems, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of women empowerment. They reclaim their narratives by singing their stories of struggle and triumph in the hands of their common husband.

SIX's Journey to Manila

SIX was first staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 with a set of student artists from Cambridge University. It returned to Fringe the following year, then went on a brief tour across the United Kingdom in 2018.

The West End premiere happened on January 17, 2019, at the Arts Theatre in Westminister, Central London. Its U.K. tour started in October of the same year. And as if that year can't get any busier, SIX opened at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Illinois in May, where it broke box office records and played an extended run. Part of its 2019 big breakout was a series of stagings on Norwegian Cruise Line ships starting in September. By January 2020, SIX saw its Australian premiere at the Sydney Opera House.

And then, COVID-19 happened. SIX's staging in London, other parts of the U.K., Norwegian Cruise Line, and Australia took a pause. On Broadway, SIX was supposed to officially open on March 12, 2020, the same day all New York theaters were closed. But when the whole world slowly reopened, so did SIX. Touring productions continued, including North America, Canada, and South Korea.

There was also some buzz in December 2020, via The New York Times, that SIX "is in the works" in the Philippines. Four years later, the Manila leg is confirmed in an announcement by GMG Productions.

"Bringing SIX to Manila is a momentous occasion. The energy and impact of this production are unparalleled, and we believe Manila audiences are in for a royal treat. This is not just a show but an experience that celebrates the strength and resilience of women in a way that is both entertaining and empowering," GMG Productions' CEO Carlos Candal said in a statement.

Honors and Awards of SIX, the Musical

The West End production of SIX was nominated for Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Outstanding Achievement in Music, Best Theatre Choreographer, and Best Costume Design in the 2019 Laurence Olivier Award.

The Broadway production, on the other hand, won Best Original Score and Best Costume Design in a Musical in the 2022 Tony Awards; Ensemble Award, Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical, Outstanding Music, and Outstanding Lyrics in the 2022 Drama Desk Awards; and Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding Score, and Outstanding Costume Design in the 2022 Outer Critics Circle Award.

SIX runs from October 1 to 20 at The Theatre at Solaire, Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Parañaque City. Tickets are on sale on April 19 through Ticketworld.

Also read: Theater Preview: Shows to Watch in Metro Manila This March