Six the Musical: An interview with Loren Hunter and Kiana Daniele

As Kath Day-Knight famously said, she has Henry VIII on her back. Now, audiences can get an up-close-and-personal view of what life was like as one of his six spouses in the multi Tony Award-winning electrifying musical phenomenon, Six The Musical.

On stage at the Comedy Theatre from Friday 17 June, the musical remixes the infamy, tragedy, misfortune and survival of his queen’s Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. The ode ‘Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived’ should should help.

In anticipation of Six‘s premiere in Melbourne, Milk Bar spoke to Loren Hunter (Jane Seymour) and Kiana Daniele (Anne of Cleves) about what audiences can expect and their interpretation of the HERstories.

The eight-time Tony Award-nominated Six The Musical, and recipient of two Tony Awards last weekend, comes to Melbourne this June. Described as a witty, pop-fuelled musical packed full of ferocity, sass and HERstories, can you tell our readers what Six is all about and what they can expect when they come see the show?

Loren: Six is a retelling of stories from the perspective of Henry VII’s SIX wives. It’s about reclaiming the narrative that we as queens were so much more than history has given us credit for and that maybe, Henry was the problem. Think Spice Girls meets History! That what’s you can expect. 

Kiana: You can expect 75 minutes of female domination and empowerment. The show is about the wives of Henry VIII presented as a pop concert, so a history lesson with a mix of Spice Girl power. It is incredibly funny and entertaining, as well thought provoking, the perfect mix.

Loren, Jane Seymour was the loyal third wife after the chaos that was Anne Boleyn. Can you tell us a little about your creative background and which songs perfectly describe Jane?

Loren: My creative background began in Brisbane when I was around nine. I’ve always loved singing and storytelling. I finished school and went straight to WAAPA and studied a Bachelor of Music Theatre and began working professionally not long after. When I think of Jane and how she’s represented in the show I think of songs written and performed by Adele. Heartfelt and you feel all the feels!

Kiana, Anna of Cleves was Henry VIII’s unfortunate fourth wife, only to be queen for less than a year. Anna ultimately survived Henry’s wrath. Kiana, can you share how you prepared for the role and what’s your take on her story?

I prepped for the role by reading up on Anna of Cleves and watching a lot of documentaries about her story. From there, I went to the script/score and tried to marry the character Cleves as well as the real Anna. She was an incredibly cunning and clever queen that took on the Tudor court and won – and I try and bring that onstage. Her life could’ve gone entirely the other way, but she got a generous settlement, was respected and partied the rest of her life despite being publicly rejected by the King. She has an extremely fun/cheeky energy about her because her objective has already been achieved by the time the show starts, she has already won in her eyes, so she is just there to have a good time. 

Her story isn’t a sob story, it is a triumph!

By illustrating the infamy and scandal of the Tudor world in a contemporary pop world with music inspired by Adele, Lily Allen and Ariana Grande, what do you think is the core message of Six?

Loren: There is a great podcast called How to Fail with Elizabeth Day. I listened to the episode with Gloria Steinem who was a leader and spokesperson in the American feminist movement in the late 60s. Gloria Steinem says “we are linked not ranked”. This has forever stayed with me and I remember thinking to myself “oh this is what Six is about”. I think when you experience Six the audience are also brought into that narrative of linked not ranked. It goes beyond just the six of us. Humanity is linked not ranked. 

Kiana: For me, I think the core message of Six is we are linked not ranked and individuality, authenticity and uniqueness are to be celebrated. To stand in your power like the queens are. 

There is a moment in the show after Parr flips the narrative and we stand in a line just breathing in the audience as they cheer, and it feels so magical. All you see is SIX fierce women on stage, all so different and from all walks of life, standing together as one force on stage, breaking down this idea that women need to compete against one another, and we are only what the history books say we are.

If you came across on Henry VIII on Tinder, what would be some of his red flags? 

Loren: Oh wow! Maybe that all of his pictures of his profile would be selfies with his shirt off or something [laughs]. Which you do you … but for me I want see your doggo and family and friends [laughs].

Klana: I mean … the history of beheadings would probably be a red flag … I feel like he would be the kind of dude to have all these random photos of him hunting/drinking with the boys or of his body thinking he looked cute … which would be a red flag for me. Complete toxic masculinity profile. His bio would be something like “looking for a wife to obey, succeed in pleasing me and your religion could be freed”. [laughs] ANYTHING ON HIS PROFILE WOULD BE A RED FLAG [laughs] 

Six the Musical has book, lyrics and music by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. The Australian musical is produced by Louise Withers, Michael Coppel and Linda Berwick.

Tickets are available now.

Six the Musical
Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000
On stage Friday 17 June to Sunday 7 August 2022
sixthemusical.com/australia

Images: James D Morgan