Current showstoppers, timeless classics and choreographed numbers that will leave you spellbound ― The Gilbert & Sullivan Society is promising all that and more with Magic of the Musicals 2. The show kicks off on October 3 at Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts “with a diverse array of everyone's favourite songs spanning from the bright lights of Broadway to the charm of London’s West End”, courtesy of title sponsor, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

A standout just might be the song Ex-Wives from Six, the Tony Award-winning pop musical about Henry VIII’s six wives.

Paige Stienlet, Caroline McGill, Kyla White, Quinceé Dill, Hannah Taylor and Annika Henderson perform as Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr respectively.

“When I was living in England I became familiar with the musical and I just became obsessed with the music. I just love it,” said Quinceé whose character was Henry VIII’s fourth wife; the union ended in divorce.

A full-time actor who has been working overseas in recent years, she was thrilled that the performance meshed with her time back home.

“It's a great number, it's a great show. It has great options of music to take from and it also gives the opportunity for six of us to play around and be diva-ish on stage,” she said.

“I think people, especially people who enjoy musicals, will really enjoy getting a bunch of different songs with dances, lights and everything. It's fun.”

Annika saw Six on Broadway and, like Quinceé, “really loved the music”.

She was able to identify with Henry VIII’s sixth wife, who is often recalled as “the survivor” because of her strong character, and because she outlived him.

“While I don’t relate exactly to the situation, I’d like to think of myself as being resilient and a strong, independent young person,” Annika said.

“Six shows the queens coming together to tell their stories rather than being in the shadows of Henry and it’s written to be like a pop concert. I probably identify with that side of things more, as I have a strong network of friends who support each other, and many of us like to have our time on stage in the spotlight.”

Kyla was familiar with the story of Henry VIII but “less familiar with the specific stories of each of the wives”.

Jane Seymour, who is often described as the king’s favourite, died shortly after giving birth to his only legitimate son, Edward VI.

“I love musicals and I haven't been able to audition for the G & S plays for the past few years, so I was really excited to be able to be part of the cast,” Kyla said.

“I had heard of [Six] and seen videos and snippets from the show, but since being selected to perform this medley, it's definitely become one of my favourite musicals.”

Henry VIII’s fifth wife was accused of adultery and beheaded. Hannah, who saw Six in Toronto, Canada, this year, loved that the story is told from the perspective of the queens.

“It was probably the best show I have ever seen. I had been dying to see it and it was so much better than I could have ever imagined. I loved how all of the characters got their own songs as well as getting to do amazing numbers together. It was a very strong female cast which is always good to see as someone who wants to pursue theatre,” she said.

Her favourite line, “I've been just one word in a stupid rhyme”, refers to a once widely repeated saying by history students: divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived.

Said Hannah: “This is relatable to me because Catherine Howard is talking about how often people get prejudged and pigeonholed. That's something that happens to everyone at some point, and it's important to do what you can to rise above this.”

Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, was arguably the most famous of the six women he married; her execution inspired dozens of books and films.

Caroline dove into the character, headfirst.

“It’s shocking that many of the issues which led to her beheading are still faced by women today,” she said. “People were suspicious that she was too influential on matters of state, leading Henry away from the church.

“Rumours of affairs were used to ruin her reputation and provide the case for her beheading, but she remained loyal to Henry until the moment of her execution.”

She was not familiar with Six before auditioning but now loves Ex-Wives and the feeling the performance gives of “being in a K-pop group”.

An added bonus is it allows the rare opportunity of working with a professional director-choreographer, musical director and set and lighting designer.

“All the dancing lessons I’ve had have been from the amazing LA-based choreographer, Jamie, and assistant choreographer, Twon,” Caroline said. “They teach us all the routines in the shows.

“How many people can say they’ve been lit by the same person that’s lit Diana Ross?! It’s incredible we could get Ben Rogers to do the lighting for our show, bringing all his international concert lighting experience.

“The experience that the teens and kids get by being involved is incredible, which is why I think so many professional Bermudian performers and theatre professionals working internationally and here at home have been involved in G & S at some point.

“This year was particularly compelling because we’ve put together a show full of the best songs, showstoppers, amazing dance numbers, and created some really beautiful tender moments.”

• Magic of the Musicals 2 runs October 3 to 12 at Ruth Seaton James Auditorium. Tickets are available at www.ptix.bm