Japanese “Six” Makes West End History
Japanese “Six” Makes West End History
Recently, the Japanese-language production of Six - the hit musical retelling the stories of Henry VIII’s six wives - officially opened at London’s Vaudeville Theatre, marking the first time a non-English version of a musical has become a resident show in the West End. This moment signals more than a linguistic milestone; it represents a broader movement toward the globalization of musical theatre, where productions are increasingly designed to reach multilingual and multicultural audiences.
What’s striking is that the entire cast is Japanese, with English surtitles projected for international audiences - creating a fascinating “cross-border adaptation” that bridges not only languages but also cultures. Japanese audiences can now experience Six in their native tongue, while visitors in London witness a reimagined version of a traditionally British musical through a distinctly local lens. This experiment hints at a growing trend: the transformation of musical theatre from a nationally rooted art form into a global medium that both preserves its cultural origins and seeks new audiences abroad.