Queens, the major new exhibition inspired by SIX the Musical, will begin its reign at The Lowry this weekend.
Queens: The Exhibition will run in the Galleries of the Salford arts venue from Saturday 20th July to Sunday 3rd November 2024.
The free exhibition – curated by The Lowry – is the first of its kind and is produced with the support of SIX and its creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.
The word ‘Queen’ has become a positive term of self-reference, and this exhibition asks the question ‘What kind of Queen are you?’ and celebrates ‘everyday’ queens of every description.
The exhibition will start with a celebration of the hit musical SIX and taking centre stage will be two of Gabriella Slade’s iconic costumes from the show: those of Catherine of Aragon and Katherine Howard – a first for the North West.
The costumes will be displayed alongside a newly-commissioned model of the SIX stage set, designed by Emma Bailey, as well as scripts, film and memorabilia from Toby and Lucy.
It will feature new commissions from local legend, The Mancorialist, Instagram cartoonist Lily O’Farrell and from Manchester-based artist, Johnny Humes, whose remarkable new painting throws a spotlight on Fanny and Stella, two young men who shocked Victorian England.
A Tudor-esque house inside the exhibition will be filled with UV light for some magical opportunities for visitors to draw their own pictures. There’s the chance to sing your heart out, and even a huge oversized gothic throne for that essential regal selfie. And there are mini-Queens hidden throughout the galleries to find.
There will also be venue-wide free learning and engagement activities based around the Queens theme for the duration of the exhibition’s run, including arts & crafts, silent discos and dance workshops. For full details of what’s on offer during Queens, including live music performances and Queens-themed food and drink offerings in ‘The Queens Head’ pub, please check the website.
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the creators of SIX, said:
“We are so, so excited that this SIX-inspired exhibition is being curated by The Lowry! 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. 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!”
Michael Simpson, The Lowry’s Director of Visual Arts, said:
“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.
“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. 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 follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they 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.
The exhibition’s run coincides with a visit by SIX to The Lowry’s Lyric Theatre from Tuesday 13th August to Sunday 1st September – tickets on sale now.
Entry to Queens: The Exhibition is free but timeslots are required, which can be booked in advance on The Lowry website. Entry may also be available on arrival at The Lowry – however these will be subject to demand on the day and availability may vary so booking in advance is recommended to ensure entry.
The Lowry’s Galleries are open Tuesday to Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm. The Lowry is closed on Mondays.
During the run of SIX, the Galleries will be open from 5pm-7.30pm on selected dates – check website for details.
The Lowry is a charity and while entry to The Galleries is free, donations are gratefully received and can be made online when booking a timeslot or in the venue.
