SIX the Musical inspires major new exhibition

‘What kind of Queen are you?’ That’s the question posed by a new exhibition based on the hit musical, SIX, which opens at The Lowry this autumn.

In SIX each of Henry VIII’s wives are turned into a pop star on stage and take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.

Since its early days as a student production in a 100-seat room at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the show has fast become a global musical phenomenon.

In the exhibition the history of these Tudor Queens, as well as their contemporary music influences – from Adele to Beyoncé, will blend with lots of opportunities for visitors to sing, dance, play games and quizzes and even take suitably regal selfies.

Queens, produced with the support of SIX and its creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will feature original notes, ideas, scribbles and Instagram photos of the first rehearsals. All six iconic costumes from the show will be on display as well as set designs, scripts, behind-the-scenes films and fan art.

“We are so, so excited that this SIX-inspired exhibition is being curated by The Lowry,” says Lucy Moss. “It has been such a wonderful home for our show for so many years, and it’s just so cool that it will be inviting the Queendom to engage with it, its history, and theatre in a different way”.

Toby agrees: “We can’t wait for everyone to come along and experience the magic the team have been cooking up – we hope it’ll be super inspiring!”

In addition to musical memorabilia, the exhibition will feature new commissions from artists and photographers, including The Mancorialist to celebrate Queens from every walk of life.

For the run of the exhibition there will also be venue-wide free learning and engagement activities based around the Queens theme, including arts and crafts, silent discos and dance workshops.

“With Queens we want to celebrate not only SIX and its huge personality and sense of fun, but also its glorious inclusivity, attitude and creativity,” says The Lowry’s Director of Visual Arts, Michael Simpson. “We know it’s going to be an exhibition like no other and is for everyone who loves SIX, but also for everyone who likes to have a good time.”

SIX first came to The Lowry at Christmas 2018, at the end of the show’s first ever UK tour, and the production has returned regularly ever since, with sold-out audiences every time. The free exhibition coincides with the shows next visit to the venue’s Lyric Theatre from Tuesday 13 August to Sunday 1 September – tickets on sale now.

Queens: The Exhibition is at The Lowry from 20 July to 3 November. Entry is free but timeslots are required, which can be booked in advance on The Lowry website from today, Thursday 18 April 2024.