OG SIX queens Aimie Atkinson and Natalie Paris have crossed the pond from the UK to make their Broadway debuts in the long-running hit musical! Atkinson originated the role of Katherine Howard and Paris originated the role of Jane Seymour in the fan favorite, which transforms the six wives of Henry VIII into feminist pop divas — reclaiming “her”-story. Entertainment journalist Frank DiLella from Spectrum News NY1 recently caught up with the ladies before a performance to talk about the power of SIX — and what it was like to perform the show at one of Henry VIII’s former palaces.
Congratulations on your Broadway debuts! What does this moment mean to you?
Aimie Atkinson: We’ve been a part of this show now for eight years, since the beginning. So, to go from the workshop, to the tour, Edinburgh Festival, West End, now Broadway — it feels like a full-circle moment. Everything is coming together. It’s been hard to process.
Natalie Paris: When I was little, all I wanted to do was make it to Broadway, but it felt like such a huge thing. And so to be doing it now and doing the dream feels so surreal.
You both hail from the UK, where the West End is your “Theaterland.” When did Broadway first come onto your radar?
AA: It’s intertwined with the West End. Following and listening to cast albums and watching clips online. But also, being from England, it feels like a faraway dream — but it’s here!
NP: I was obsessed with Annie when I was growing up, so any chance I could watch a video or listen to a CD, I would. Broadway felt like big shining lights and something that we sort of knew because of the West End, but it didn’t feel close enough to us.
SIX has become a phenomenon, and you both were there from the beginning.
NP: I had the call from my agent, the breakdown for the audition. I remember reading “a brand-new musical about Henry VIII’s wives” and “pop songs,” and I thought, “Brilliant!” I just got a great vibe from our writers, Toby [Marlow] and Lucy [Moss], and the whole audition process, and felt fantastic. I just wanted to be a part of it. And I remember in my audition they taught me a part of “Heart of Stone” and I remember thinking I felt like this song was written for me. It was such a surreal thing. But I had no idea what was going to happen.
AA: I wasn’t really doing musicals at the time. I had gone in a different direction; I was doing a lot of corporate work and gigging and things like that. I wasn’t really getting anywhere with musicals, so I thought I would try something else. And then all of a sudden, I got a call out of the blue from the producers because they knew I did corporate work — they knew I was good at talking to the audience and stuff like that — and I got a call to audition. And honestly, I thought I’m not really sure, because it would mean I would have to cancel all my work. But again, I went to the audition, and I had never heard anything like it before. And I just thought, “This is really me.” I took the job and thought this is special and meant to be. Thank God we both said yes!
One of my favorite things about SIX is that each queen has her own unique identity — one that you can connect to a modern-day pop diva. Did you have any influence on that when helping to create these characters for the stage?
NP: There are three things going on. Aimee, Natalie. The pop queens — Adele or Ariana Grande or whoever it is. And then Katherine Howard and Jane Seymour. There are three things mixed into one character. But what is amazing about this show is that you can bring so much of yourself to it. I was so worried with doing Broadway, will I be able to live up to what I did all those years ago? And then I had to say to myself, “YOU ARE HER! SHE IS YOU!” [Laughs.]
Which pop divas are you inspired by?
AA: I do love Ariana Grande and Britney Spears, so my character is the perfect character for me. But also Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, all those big voices. You don’t hear them as much anymore.
NP: Christina Aguilera was a big love when I was growing up. Also, Alicia Keys. I also love Luther Vandross and that soul era — any kind of music that hits you in your chest and that makes you feel something.
SIX has been preserved forever thanks to a new film version that you both are in.
AA: The most amazing thing about filming it was, we did Hampton Court Palace — which was Henry VIII’s house. We did that right before our filming, singing in Henry’s house and where these women were. So that was great to get us back into the show again, because we hadn’t done it in a while. We did it at the palace for 3,000 people. It was great to rip the Band-Aid off and just throw us back into SIX the musical. So, then we started the filming, I felt comfortable and in it. We filmed a lot without the audience, and then the last couple nights we filmed with a live audience. And I think most of the film is from those shows because it was electric and the audience was buzzing to be there.
SIX is playing all over the world. What do you think is the secret to its longevity?
AA: I think SIX is one of those perfect storms. These incredible characters — women. You don’t see six women who have a real story to tell. They’re funny, witty, layered, and then add incredible choreography, music, and lyrics. It’s just a perfect storm and it all happened in this sort of whirlwind.
NP: It was a groundbreaking show. Not only in the form of these women and what they represent and what these queens went through, which was unimaginable. In this modern-day telling of it, it’s relatable to people, whether they’re seeing each other on the stage or just thinking, “I’ve felt that before.” People get transported and get empowered after seeing this show.
If you could bring to life any other historical figure in pop-diva form, who would you pick?
AA: I always think maybe Anne Boleyn’s daughter [Elizabeth I]? Still sticking with the Tudor theme. She went on to be a badass queen — and had such an impact. And as for her music? We’re really into Raye at the moment.
NP: I was going to say maybe a historical jazz singer and re-create their life and their story and their music.
