I love "Six" and the message behind it. The music, the dancing, the humor, the color-blind casting ... it all works for me. Even the portrayal of Anne Boleyn ... I do give the writers credit for showing an Anne who is anything but a calculating schemer. Instead she seems to be blundering along, reacting to events, without a master plan, who sometimes says and does stupid things in the heat of the moment. It's not the historical Anne, but neither is "the one with the plan/the plan to steal the man."

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Yes that’s really a missed opportunity for me but I also loved the show for sure!

I couldn’t agree more Estelle! A few weeks ago I was watching that video of that day at the Tower of London and I was so emotional and crying, my husband kind of chuckled and I was just sobbing telling him how empowering it how meaningful to have the six there! Wonderful review!

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! And for me too it was such a powerful moment to watch! I felt overwhelmed with positive feelings. Thanks so much for being here!

Loved this history police video and your thoughts are spot on, Dr Parenque. The big entertainment industry seems to perpetuate the same myths and misconceptions about certain historical figures over and over again but thankfully we're grateful that expert historians like yourself provide eloquent and factual information. Even so this musical sounds pretty much empowering and cheerful, after all it's about entertainment. Great review. Thank you 🙏🏻

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰 I’m glad you liked the video!

I agree with you, the Anne Boleyn bit is my least favourite song because it is so contrary to the history. I really love Anne of Cleves' song and I think she deserves as well as Catherine Parr, the title of survivor. Also the musical deserves props for truly depicting Catherine Howard's situation honestly, unlike other cultural depictions.

@SCordova19

10 ай бұрын

Totally agree! It doesn’t seem to be historically supported but still seems to be a narrative that persists

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Totally

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Yes!! Exactly!

I totally agree with everything you said about Anne Boleyn - one thing I *do* think the musical got very right was her tendency to cope with stressful situations with humor. I wish it wasn't used to make her look a bit more ditzy than I would have liked, but I can also sort of understand why they went for that characterization (even though it deserved a bit more thought). That being said, apart from Lynne Frederick's Katherine Howard, I think it's the piece of media that got Katherine Howard the best, and hauntingly so.

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Totally! Thanks so much for watching!

10:51 The whole point in the beginning of the musical was that they were competing against each other to see who had it the worst. It all comes around at the end when they realize that they've been fighting over something stupid when they could have all banded (pun not intended) together. While i agree that they didn't portray Anne Boleyn in the most historically accurate way, I look at this musical they way I look at movies that are "based on a true story". Things have been changed for entertainment value, but there is still truth behind it. That being said, i found your take on it really interesting.

@ElleHistory

Ай бұрын

You have a point. Thank you for being here!

I really love this show, and it the fact that it gives equal place to all queens is such a wonderful message! I have to admit, contrary to you, I really like the Anne Boleyn song, though I do think the singer's interpretation really matters and can change the meaning of it (Andrea Macasaet's version is the best imo in that regard). For me, the song really has several layers of interpretation, and a lot of statements in it are not to be taken at first degree, but with a pinch of irony and sarcasm. Typically, "politics, not my thing" for me is Anne blatantly lying to our faces. It's a way of showing how "it's not all what it seems" in her world, and that she has several levels of discourse, which is something she did IRL, because that's what one had to do to survive at court (and play the game of thrones somehow). Same in the main chorus "I'm just trying to have some fun". AS IF. She seems to be hiding her game behind some "innocent fun", but really she's taking this seriously. And we can even question the "I didn't mean to hurt anyone" sentence, because she did hurt Katherine of Aragon and above all princess Mary in the process. I think this push for a bit more "manipulative" version of Anne, not necessarily fully accurate, but that gives a better grasp on her intelligence and sense of humor, and gives her more agency in the matter. But also shows how she ended up being cheated by the game she was playing (and we can argue whether or not she was really consenting in playing that game...).

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

I like this interpretation and you might be right that there’s a lot of sarcasm! Thanks so much for watching the review and for commenting. I love hearing from the people who watch my videos. It’s the point of this channel: learning from one another and sharing our love for history.

@mankytoes

7 ай бұрын

I think, if that is the intention, they were a bit too smart with it. This is for a popular audience who aren't likely to know anything about Anne, besides that she got her head chopped off. She genuinely had influence over Henry's religious policies, which is one of the most important political and cultural changes in our country's history. I don't think many people who didn't already know about who she was would have left with an impression of her clout. I think maybe they were trying to soften the Aragon v Boleyn thing a little, because I really don't see how you can fit that with a "girl power" theme- like you say, Catherine had a little girl, these women were just as cut throat as the men. I agree with Elle, all the performances give an angle on the real person, but Anne is a total miss (at least, if taken at face value). On a musical level, it's a great song, but the character would fit Catherine Howard a lot better in my opinion.

I saw it at the end of August, I really enjoyed it but was not a fan of how Anne Boleyn was portrayed, they could have done much better. I loved the Anna of Cleves song.

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Exactly the same!

Thank you for your opinion. I found it very intresting! I didn't like Anne Boleyn's song until I saw the original Broadway performance with Andrea Macasaet. In her version I saw an interprettation of what Anne would be like if alive today. I caught that from the natural way in which contemporary slang just flowed from Andrea. I could just believe words like "totes", "obvs", "make him jell" are things she might say in real life conversations. Whereas with the West End version (and I have no complaints about the actress) I felt that Anne came off as being harsh and uncaring about other's feelings, with Andrea's portrayal, I saw it as just trying to live her best life. She didn't intend to hurt anyone, but at the same time she wasn't going to sacrifice her own happiness in life for anyone else. And I think that's not a completely wrong interpretation. Anne did have a motto, "Let them grumble, this is how it will be". I think that's very similar to the "sorry, not sorry" mindset. In the beginning of the song when she talks about "I want to dance and sing. Politics, not my thing". I think they are saying that was her mindset when she returned to England, but that her focus quickly changed. Of course, she would have always been surrounded by politics, but she was also famous for loving music, dancing, and flirting as she would have learned in the French court. "But then I met the King" and obviously her priorities shifted. I actually liked how they incorporated the rivalry of Anne and Catherine. Anne was reported as saying something to the effect of "I wish all Spaniards would be thrown in the sea", a sentiment similar to "He doesn't want to bang you, somebody hang you." While she may or may not have said or meant it, some took that as being directed at Catherine, and public sentiment was definitely against Anne ("I didn't really mean it, but rumors spiral." "Wow, Anne, way to make the country hate you.") I think the rivalry they have in the show is based on the idea that Catherine could have seen Anne as a homewrecker, and Anne might have seen Catherine as an obstacle to her and Henry's happiness, even though his marriage with Catherine was obviously not one he wanted any more. It brought some tension to the show which was important to have so that in the end when they come together, that acceptance of each other is powerful. I certainly agree that the song misses a lot about Anne. But to be fair, you could write an entire musical about just her! She was a complex and well documented individual. It would be hard to get her entire character into just one song. And like I said, I wasn't a fan of the song until I heard the Broadway version of it, but now I can say that if you held my feet to the fire, I would say Andrea's Anne Boleyn was my favorite character in that show.

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

I love that comment so much! I love your insights and your take on it all. Let’s have a show on Anne only haha! Thank you again for sharing this with me. You’re the best!!

I love six, not only because i loves the history but because the sings kick ass

@ElleHistory

6 ай бұрын

Same!

I was so disappointed when I research Anne boleyn to find out how horrible is was depicted in the song. she has done so many good things and they made her this super sexualized girl who is "stealing someone man" but I still love to song for it's own thing.

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Yes same!

Thanks for this review, Dr. Paranque! I haven’t seen this show yet. Disappointed to hear about how Anne Boleyn is portrayed. Old stereotypes die hard unfortunately. In any case, I like what you said about the show leading people into the past so they can explore the past for themselves. Thanks for your great content!

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for being here and so supportive. I’m so grateful for all your comments on my videos! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😊

As a musical theater lover, as well as a Tudor history nut, When I first heard that six was basically a modern take " musically." I was a bit snubbish about it , thinking it was going to be another Hamilton, just for the musical theater teenagers of today. Where I felt at first that, Henry's 6 wives should have more a classical Broadway sound. for example, like ' the phantom of the opera, or Jekyll and Hyde." I still would like a deeper, pretty classical musical for the six wives lol... However, as I listened more to the cast recordings, and listened to cast interviews, the more the show grew on me.

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

You know what? It’s exactly how I felt at first too. I was so sceptical and then it grew on me haha!

@kristenrock7783

9 ай бұрын

also, I am not much a belter, like those talented ladies, I have more of a classical sound, why I would love to have a more classical sounding six wives of henry the 8th musical, so I have a comfortable song in my wheelhouse to sing lol. But again, six is fun to dance, and let all your frustrations out.@@ElleHistory 👑👑💗💗

I literally just got back home from watching the musical for the first time and to start off I loved it! I agree with your thoughts on anne Boleyn. I was happy with Jane Seymour’s song. I always feel she is see as the boring wife but there was strength in her story also. Highly recommend if you haven’t see it ❤

@ElleHistory

8 ай бұрын

This show is so powerful and empowering! 😊🙏🏻

It just occurs to me that using such diverse women in the cast also represents that the behavior of Henry and his contemporaries toward is certainly not constrained to Europe and the west. That women all over the world have, and still do, have to deal with misogyny.

I was curious if you were going to do once upon a bio on Mary Tudor Queen of England, Henry the 8th's daughter. As well as Starz's Spanish Princess? which is about Catherine of Aargon.

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

I’m definitely covering Mary I in my Once Upon a Woman segment and will definitely be reviewing the Spanish Princess.. so much to say. Thank you for being here!

@brianmagee6595

9 ай бұрын

@@ElleHistory your welcome

Thank yo so much for this video. :)

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

When i saw this for first i found it a little cring tbh😅 but the thing that dragged me towards it wws the hostory and i must say Your review was really on point it also makes me sad that people portrey's amne bolyen as sexual and someone who only wants to have fun ignoring her intelligence and charm and that she was a really good political advisor but i really. Liked the anne of cleaves part it was bit funny to really some references that i also haven't expected 😅.Thank ypu for this reaction 🙏❤

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for always being here and so supportive of my videos and work. It means a lot!

I don't like the way Anne is depicted, saying she doesn't care about politics, that she deliberately flirted with men to make Henry jealous (sort of implying she might be guilty of adultery?!) and overall that she's a total airhead

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

She deserved better!

I disagree a bit with Anne Bolyn's song. True, it is extremely surface and simplistic and paints her as being a ditz. When it comes to all the other songs, hers is definitely the least powerful and is kind of made to make her seem like an idiot. However, this entire play is about the dangers of pitting these women against each other. Each of these stories are more about the public perception, not the historical facts. She came in, and was the cause (albeit Henry's doing, not hers) of a 24 year marriage ending. Even in today's standards, no matter how great and well educated the woman is, people will view that woman as a "homewrecker" and "ditzy" Also, in terms of writing, her song was made to be more lighthearted as a juxtaposition of harder stuff. Aragon - hard story of living as a devoted wife for 24 years to just be thrown aside Boleyn- Fun, danceworthy song to lighten the mood Seymour - heart wrenching song about dying after Edward's birth Cleves - again hits us with a fun filled song about life after rejection Howard- really hits the audience with a story of sexual abuse starting at the age of 18. Then, the 5 first wives get into a extremely verbal altercation, hitting that high tense climax Parr comes in to sing about lost love and then reunites the wives and goes after the real villian...Henry. This play is about keeping the audience guessing....are we supposed to be having fun? Getting angry? Getting outraged? Just when we get comfortable with the comedy and fun, they knock us down. So for me, Boleyn's song is less about being accurate to Boleyn and being more accusatory to the audience....this is how you see her because you just see the outside story.

I agree Anne Boylen deserved better I feel that each verse should of been focsed on the milestones. And not make her sound like a ditsy home wrecker.

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Completely!

Who was that Henry bloke?!...What did he ever do but marry 6 wives? A complete waste of space?...What about a musical about Henry? "Hen-ery thee Aith I Am!"?

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Love this comment!!

@mangiagatti85

9 ай бұрын

I love your enthusiasm for your keen views on Tudor England (& contemporary France!), Estelle! A certain David Starkey once quipped to me (as a history student@LSE!) "You're a proper little Renaissance Man, arent you, Andrew?". I still am though I never grew like Henry VIII...& I never married a wife...or six! Keep it up...& I'll follow you to the last chop! @@ElleHistory

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

@@mangiagatti85 aww thanks, it's so very nice to hear! I'm so glad to have you here!!!

The Tower of London flash mob performance always makes me cry to watch. 🥹

@ElleHistory

9 ай бұрын

Oh me too!