Yesterday, SIX The Musical welcomed its very own Japanese cast members to London ahead of them taking to the stage at the Vaudeville Theatre for one week only – performing the global phenomenon entirely in Japanese (with English captions) from Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 November 2025.
After an introduction to the project from producer Kenny Wax, and Hiroko Murata, the Director of Umeda Arts Theater, the producers of the Japanese production, alongside writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the nine queens introduced themselves in English and Japanese, before performing a special acoustic version of Six from the theatre’s stage.
Later that afternoon, as part of their introduction to London, the Queens visited the Tudor Galleries at the National Portrait Gallery, where Caroline Marcus, the show’s Heritage, Outreach and Engagement Consultant, showed them portraits of the OG Queens, including Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour – and gave them a fun and engaging her-story lesson.
The Queens then returned to the Vaudeville to watch their London counterparts slay on stage, meeting them afterwards to share stories!
A group of women posing for a photo
Hiroko Murata said, “To see our Japanese Queens stand on a London stage, in the heart of the West End, was an unforgettable experience. This collaboration between Umeda Arts Theater and Kenny Wax Productions has been a bridge between our two cultures, showing how theatre can transcend borders and bring people together through shared passion and creativity.”
Kenny Wax said, “It was truly special to introduce our Japanese Queens on the Vaudeville stage. This collaboration with Umeda Arts Theater has been such a joyful meeting of cultures and creative energies. Seeing the show performed in Japanese for the first time in London is a reminder that the message of SIX — empowerment, unity and fun — speaks to audiences everywhere.”
Following sold out seasons in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya earlier this year, the critically acclaimed Japanese Queens now bring their celebrated performances to London, making their West End debuts.
Original producers Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles, by special arrangement with Umeda Arts Theater, the producers of the Japanese production, are delighted to invite the cast to London following their acclaimed run in Japan.
To celebrate this landmark moment, audiences can also take part in two special cultural experiences. On Thursday 6 November from 5.15 – 6.45pm, Dear Asia will host a Japanese Language Workshop, inviting participants to explore the language and culture of Japan through the songs of SIX. Fans will have the chance to learn the lyrics to their favourite numbers in Japanese, while also trying their hand at traditional arts and crafts in this fun and immersive session suitable for ages 10+.
Then, on Saturday 8 November from 12 – 1.30pm, acclaimed illustrator Chie Kutsuwada will lead a Manga Workshop with a SIX-inspired twist. This beginner-friendly class introduces participants to the fundamentals of manga drawing before guiding them to create their own manga-style portraits of the Queens. All drawing materials will be provided, and the workshop is also suitable for ages 10+.
The cast will be Sonim as ‘Aragon’, Meimi Tamura and Maho Minamoto alternating the role of ‘Boleyn’, Harumi as ‘Seymour’, Eliana and Marie Sugaya alternating the role of ‘Cleves’, Airi Suzuki and Erika Toyohara alternating the role of ‘Howard’, Sora Kazuki and Ruki Saito alternating the role of ‘Parr’. They will be joined by Aoi Tanaka as Musical Director. Due to existing scheduling commitments, original Japanese cast members Emiko Suzuki and Mahya Harada will not be appearing.
