How long is SIX musical Edinburgh?

SIX the Musical is a pop musical from the UK that has become a global phenomenon. The show first premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 and went on to open in London’s West End in 2019, followed by Broadway in 2022. But how long is this smash hit musical actually? Let’s take a closer look at the runtime and length of SIX musical in Edinburgh and beyond.

The Edinburgh Run

When SIX first premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017, it was staged at the intimate Underbelly venue. At this venue, the running time for SIX was approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. This allowed the show to pack plenty of pops songs and the stories of Henry VIII’s six wives into a tight, fast-paced production ideal for a Fringe debut.

In subsequent years at the Edinburgh Fringe, SIX continued to run at around 75 minutes. For the 2018 and 2019 Fringe runs, it was staged at the larger Pleasance Courtyard venue, but maintained its brisk pacing and intermission-free format. This allowed the show to deliver an energetic concert-style experience for Fringe audiences hungry for a thrilling new musical.

The West End Production

When SIX transferred to London’s West End in 2019, it took up residence at the more intimate Arts Theatre. To tailor the show for the West End, the producers and creative team made some changes to expand the length and add more depth.

Specifically, the West End production of SIX runs approximately 90 minutes with one 10 minute intermission. This expanded the show to have an Act 1 and Act 2, allowing for more character development and additional songs and scenes. The show was still fast-paced, but had a bit more room to breathe. The intermission also allowed for a natural break and time for audiences to purchase drinks and merchandise.

SIX on Broadway

SIX opened on Broadway in 2022 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, after several pandemic-related delays. This Broadway mounting retained the two act, 90 minute format used in the West End.

However, because Broadway theaters and audiences tend to prefer longer shows, an additional song was added for the character Catherine Parr along with some expanded dialog scenes. This pushed the total Broadway running time to approximately 100 minutes including a 15 minute intermission.

So on Broadway, SIX flexed to be a bit longer to meet audience expectations while still retaining its pop concert vibes and no frills staging.

Touring Productions

There have also been several touring productions of SIX that have played across the UK, North America and Australia. These productions have varied slightly in running time depending on the venue.

Here are some sample runtimes for SIX tours:

As you can see, the touring shows have ranged from 80-100 minutes based on the market. The UK tour matched the West End production while North America aligned with Broadway. Australia was slightly condensed. This demonstrates the flexibility of SIX to expand or contract as needed for different venues on tour.

Conclusion

So in summary, here are the running times for SIX musical in its various productions:

• Edinburgh Fringe – 75 minutes
• West End – 90 minutes
• Broadway – 100 minutes
• Tours – 80-100 minutes

The show has maintained its essence as a high energy, irreverent pop concert celebrating Henry VIII’s wives. But it has also demonstrated the ability to adapt its length as needed for each new phase and location.

No matter which production audiences see, they can expect a thrillingly fast-paced experience full of catchy songs, girl power, and lots of drama. The length may vary, but the quality and excitement of SIX stays consistent wherever it plays.

So in Edinburgh, London, New York or on tour, SIX musical delivers an unforgettable theater experience every time. While the length may fluctuate, the energy and talent on stage always remains at maximum levels for the entire show. Part history lesson, part dance party, SIX is a breathless celebration of these six queens and their stories.

The Origins and Creation of SIX

SIX was conceived and written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss when they were students at Cambridge University. Marlow and Moss wanted to breathe new life into the stories of Henry VIII’s six wives by portraying them as a 21st century pop group competing in a concert to determine who suffered the most at the hands of their tyrannical husband.

The idea for SIX was inspired by the pop culture sensation of artists like Beyonce and the Spice Girls. Marlow and Moss imagined what it would be like if these larger-than-life pop divas were Henry’s queens competing against each other through song. This unique concept blends contemporary pop music styles with 16th century history to create an anachronistic musical experience.

After initial development at Cambridge’s ADC Theatre, Marlow and Moss took SIX to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017. This launch led to sold out shows, critical acclaim, and a explosion of popularity through social media and word of mouth.

The viral success of SIX demonstrates how creative ideas combined with social media buzz can generate huge interest. Thanks to catchy songs and force-of-nature diva performances, SIX has grown into a champion of inclusive, empowering musical theater with global appeal.

The Queens and Their Pop Personas

At the heart of SIX’s success are the Queens – the six larger-than-life pop star personas crafted for each wife. Here’s a quick look at how each queen maps to a diva archetype:

• Catherine of Aragon – The mature and powerful diva in the style of Beyonce
• Anne Boleyn – The sassy, flirtatious star a la Ariana Grande
• Jane Seymour – The sweet balladeer inspired by Adele
• Anna of Cleves – The blunt and outspoken rapper similar to Nicki Minaj
• Katherine Howard – The bubbly pop princess evoking Britney Spears
• Catherine Parr – The writer and intellectual mirrored on Alicia Keys

By mapping each Queen to a contemporary pop style, SIX creates instantly recognizable and relatable characters. The casting requires six powerhouse performers who can inhabit these iconic pop personas. It’s a demanding task but the result is a pop concert sensation breathing exhilarating new life into these centuries-old figures.

The Musical Numbers

The songs of SIX drive the show and provide each Queen a musical moment to tell her story. Here’s a listing of the showstopping numbers in SIX:

• “Ex-Wives” – The Queens introduce themselves and establish their pop identities
• “No Way” – Catherine of Aragon refuses to be cast aside by Henry
• “Don’t Lose Ur Head” – Anne Boleyn embraces her rebellious nature
• “Heart Of Stone” – Jane Seymour declares her devotion to Henry
• “Haus of Holbein” – Anna of Cleves gets an old school lesson on her arranged marriage
• “All You Wanna Do” – Katherine Howard enjoys the temptations of youth and the palace
• “I Don’t Need Your Love” – Catherine Parr asserts her independence
• “Six” – The Queens come together in solidarity and sisterhood

Marlow and Moss packed the score with catchy pop beats and clever lyrics that breathe new life into these historical figures. Each song allows the Queens to showcase their voices while advancing their stories and building their characters. The score combines multiple musical theater styles from pop to rap to rock for a contemporary sound that never loses sight of its 16th century heroines.

The Costumes

The rock concert concept of SIX is amplified through the rebellious punk-inspired costumes designed by Gabriella Slade. Each queen has a signature look that fuses modern edge with Tudor fashion:

• Catherine of Aragon wears a bold red power suit with shoulder armor
• Anne Boleyn rocks a green mini dress and thigh high boots
• Jane Seymour has an ethereal white gown with butterfly sleeves
• Anna of Cleves pairs leather pants with a metal bodice
• Katherine Howard goes for a flirty crop top and skirt combo
• Catherine Parr looks scholarly in a flowing blue pant outfit

The costumes clearly establish each queen’s personality while also looking fashion forward. This bridge between punk rock and period fashion contributes greatly to the show’s unique anachronistic style and world building.

The Legacy and Impact of SIX

In just a few short years, SIX has made an undeniable impact on musical theater by reimagining how history can be presented in a modern, empowering light. Some key parts of its groundbreaking legacy include:

• Flipping the script on the stories of Henry VIII’s wives by portraying them as relatable, complex women with agency over their own fates.
• Seamlessly integrating contemporary pop music styles and idioms into a 16th century setting.
• Prioritizing diverse casting and positive representation for the Queens.
• Generating huge box office success with a modest production thanks to brilliant storytelling and songs.
• Harnessing the power of social media to drive interest and visibility for the show.
• Inspiring young, creative students that they can develop their talents into award-winning productions.

SIX has carved out a unique niche that combines historical fiction, girl power, and pop music spectacle. With this winning formula, SIX delivers Broadway caliber entertainment with a modern voice. Marlow and Moss have created a global sensation that demonstrates the power of creative ideas to generate popular interest and reframe how stories are told.

Why Audiences Love SIX

SIX has resonated so powerfully with audiences across the globe for a few key reasons:

• Killer songs – The soundtrack is full of addictive pop anthems that stick in your head long after the show.
• Relatable characters – Though set centuries ago, the Queens face very modern problems of agency, relationships, and sexuality.
• Inclusive casting – Women of all races and backgrounds are welcome to portray these queens.
• Girl power – SIX is an energizing celebration of female strength, resilience, and supporting your sisters.
• Rock concert vibes – The staging as a pop concert creates an immersive, lively experience in the theater.

SIX effectively blends catchy music, compelling characters, and an inclusive perspective on history that resonates with 21st century audiences. Who doesn’t love a pop concert where the performers just happen to be 16th century queens? SIX invites audiences to connect with these women in a whole new light.

SIX by the Numbers

Let’s take a numerical look at the incredible rise of SIX from student production to international sensation:

• Premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2017
• Sold out entire four week Edinburgh run and won the NSDF Emerging Artist Award
• Opened in London’s West End in January 2019
• 8 Olivier Award nominations including Best New Musical
• Over 1,500 performances in the West End to date
• Opened on Broadway in October 2022 after pandemic delays
• 10 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical
• 500,000 Instagram followers fueling social media buzz
• Toured extensively across the UK, North America, and Australia
• 6 powerhouse queens telling their stories 8 times a week

The numbers show the meteoric rise to success for SIX thanks to an irresistible concept, brilliant execution, and overwhelming fan support. In just a few years, it has become a global musical theatre phenomenon.

SIX Expanding Beyond Musical Theater

The runaway success of SIX has already spawned several adaptations and extensions of the property beyond musical theatre, including:

• The Studio Album – SIX soundtrack album hit #1 on the Broadway pop charts
• The Paperback Novel – Novelization of SIX released in 2021, co-written by Jennifer Donnelly
• The UK Reality Show – “Queens For The Night” has celebrities portray the Queens in a competition
• The North American Tour – Massively successful tour across the US and Canada
• The Australian Tour – Current tour across major Australian cities through 2023
• The Mephisto Retelling – Reimaging of SIX from the villain’s perspective in development
• The Movie Adaptation – Film version of SIX in early stages of production at Paramount

As these examples show, the compelling concept and characters of SIX lend themselves well to iterations in other media. Given its young creators and passionate fan base, we can expect SIX to continue growing its brand reach across many platforms. The story of the Six Queens is far from over!

Key Takeaways

Here are the key points to understand about SIX the Musical and why it has become such a smash hit worldwide:

• Debuted at Edinburgh Fringe 2017, followed by West End, Broadway, and global tours
• Reimagines Henry VIII’s six wives as pop divas competing in a concert
• Catchy pop score by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss powers the show
• Production blends 16th century history with 21st century sensibilities
• Queens are portrayed as complex, relatable women taking charge of their stories
• Raising the voices of diverse performers via colorblind casting principles
• Running time varies from 75 minutes to 100 minutes based on production
• Massive fan support and social media presence fueling popularity
• Rave reviews praising its girl power themes, music, staging and characters
• Trailblazing a new model for modern pop musicals inspired by history

For all these reasons and more, SIX has become a global sensation ready to empower and entertain audiences for years to come. The queens are officially in the house!