Six the Musical || Loren Hunter

The Fame Reporter interviewed incredible Queensland theatre performer, Loren Hunter starring as Queen Jane Seymour in the highly anticipated return of new musical about Henry VIII’s wives – Six the musical! The show is playing at Brisbane’s Playhouse Theatre, QPAC from 2 January 2025.

Loren Hunter returns to the role of the loyal third wife Jane Seymour having blown audiences away across Australia in previous tours. SIX has enhanced her unfaltering musical theatre career including roles in Strictly Ballroom the Musical and King Kong the Musical.

We talked to Loren about how she connected to the historic character of Jane Seymour, her love for Queensland theatre, how Six the musical empowers women and more.

Welcome to The Fame Reporter, Loren! What sparked your interest in performing initially?
I had a lot of energy as a kid. My parents were fantastic at letting me try knew things and going to Fame Performing Arts was the one where I didn’t quit after two weeks. That place was a huge part of where my love for theatre grew exponentially.

Can you share how you’ve approached playing Jane Seymour in SIX the Musical? What qualities of hers resonate most with you?
I love changing the pre-conceived idea of Jane Seymour every night. From the “doormat” to fiercely resilient. These women were real!

So, I try my best to bring as much truth and honesty to my portrayal as possible.

What’s your favourite number to perform in the show, and why?
I love the opening from “Ex-Wives” through to the end of “Heart of Stone”. It’s A LOT of fun.

It’s fast paced and, all of a sudden, there is this gear shift as I prepare to sing “Heart of Stone”, and I love that challenge.

What three performers would you have a dinner party with if you could, and why?
Liza Minelli – She’s iconic and I think she’s lived an incredible life. I imagine she would have plenty of stories to tell.
Maggie Rogers – I’d love to know more about her process as a writer and artist.
Cynthia Erivo – I want to know how she does what she does. If you know, you know.

What about SIX the Musical enticed you to want to return to the show for the return tour? Genuinely have a lot of fun on this show and I’ve never tired of it so I thought why not! THIRD TIME’S A CHARM!

What do you love about Jane Seymour’s narrative?
Jane Seymour encapsulates the power of resilience that I very much resonate with and along with the power of not letting adversity define your path.

How do you think the song “Heart of Stone” encapsulates Seymour as a woman in the 16th century?
Women during the 16th Century were objectified and oppressed in such a way that erased their stories from the history books. Even today it can take an immense amount of strength to feel self-assured and valued in the public eye.

I know that I have worked hard to been seen and heard, but for Jane Seymour, to do that in a time that the beheading of women was common is a level of strength and self-assuredness I can’t fathom.

“Heart of Stone” is the epitome of enduring the storm for a woman of that time.

What is it like working with this incredible cast?
I laugh a lot! These women are incredible people – not only as artists but as the human beings they are.

Why should Brisbane audiences come along and see SIX the Musical?
Six is a FABULOUS show with a timeless message that many can resonate with.