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Sunday World

‘When you're doing eight shows a week you just grow the stamina'

We chat to the star of global hit musical SIX Alexia McIntosh as she takes the show to the BGE Theatre Alexia is one of six women from different backgrounds and cultures who all take a leading role in the stage show It's the morning after she powered through the fast paced, high-energy, non-stop, global sensation SIX the Musical, but Alexia McIntosh shows no sign of fatigue. 'When you're doing eight shows a week you just grow the stamina,' Alexia explains in an exclusive interview with Magazine+. Alexia is also revelling in the success of SIX, which is currently running at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. Just like that other theatrical phenomenon, Hamilton, it's also now a hit movie and soundtrack. Styled like a super-slick pop concert – Beyoncé meets the Spice Girls - it's based around the six wives of Henry Vlll telling their own stories and ultimately reclaiming their identities. Like the Spice Girls, who as well has having an influence on the musical and have been to see the show, Alexis herself, who plays Anne of Cleves in SIX, is the epitome of 'girl power.' The cast of SIX on stage She says: 'I'm a working mum with a 15-year-old son and I've always been really driven. I'd always say to people, 'I'm going to make it.' I've always been a grafter, never turned down auditions and was never scared to try new projects. And look at this, it was brand new writing and it all fell into place, so I'm very grateful. 'A working mum is a lot of mummy guilt, so for my son to see that the hard work has paid off is inspiring for him. It all pays off when you are able to sit in a cinema with your son watching a movie that you're in – that's just surreal. So you're a movie legend? 'So they tell me, which is quite amazing,' Alexia laughs. 'When all of us girls were sitting in the cinema, when you see that Universal logo come on the screen, we were screaming. The premiere was amazing, a celebration for everybody involved.' Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the queens, fed up with only being famous for being married to Henry Vlll, perform as a red-hot girl group with four backing musicians, billed as Ladies In Waiting. Alexia is one of six women from different backgrounds and cultures who all take a leading role in the stage show News in 90 Seconds - Monday June 23 The wives take turns telling their story through biographical pop songs with the queen voted to have had the worst experience at the hands of Henry set to be chosen as the group's lead singer. Why has SIX become such an enormous worldwide success, particularly among young women? 'I think it's the contemporary music and dance married with the costumes, the lighting…it's just an extravaganza,' Alexia says. 'And then with the storylines…I think there's nothing new under the sun, so when you come and you're hearing real stories of women overcoming their situation and being triumphant, I think that brings a lot of hope and inspiration for the audience and I think that's where the connection comes from. 'It's such a great soundtrack and the soundtrack has done so well. It's had millions of streams and there's something about the music and the storytelling through song that really captures the audience.' On stage from the musical SIX SIX, which runs non-stop for 80 minutes, draws inspiration from Beyonce's powerful stage presence, costume design and the way she interweaves personal storytelling. You'll spot Beyoncé in the character of Catherine of Aragon, but the musical also offers glimpses of other pop stars such as Ariana Grande, Lily Allen, Alicia Keys and Doechii. The Spice Girls have been to see the show and went backstage to meet the cast, as have Hollywood actors such as Robert Downey Jnr. 'You just can't believe it because these are people that you grow up watching in cinemas and on television,' Alexia says of the stars who've flocked to SIX. 'We've got all the pictures with them, of course.' Just like the Spice Girls, SIX is comprised of different characters. 'I think it breaks barriers within' the musical theatre world where you've got six exclusive lead roles of women of different backgrounds and cultures and sizes,' Alexia says. 'It's not this 'one size fits all' and I think it's quite inspiring for young actors coming up to say that, 'Wow!, she looks like me, I can do this too.'' Referring back to the movie, Alexia says: 'It's amazing because now it has a legacy, it's there forever for everybody to watch who can't get to the theatres. 'It's just great to know now that the whole world can come and experience it, whether it's the movie or coming to see it live in the theatre. The cast of SIX on stage 'Either way I think they are still getting the same experience, the same joy and the same conclusion of 'what a show!'' On a personal level, Alexia says she's been enjoying her time in Dublin – her first ever visit to the city. 'I went up to Howth one of the days and it was so beautiful,' she says. 'I had some fish and chips and walked around the marina on a lovely warm day. 'We have rehearsals every day and then it's up to each individual to make sure they maintain their level of fitness, health and well-being. 'It's such a fast-paced show, so you have to look after your body, mind and soul to be able to deliver every night. We really look after each other, it's a sisterhood.' So you can't go out and party in Dublin? 'I don't know about that now,' she responds with a laugh, just like a true Spice Girl. SIX runs at Dublin's Bord Gais Energy Theatre until next Saturday.