A major free exhibition inspired by the hit musical SIX is taking over The Lowry this summer.

Queens: The Exhibition will run at the gallery until November and has been curated by The Lowry with the support of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the award-winning creators of SIX.

Part of the Queens exhibition at The Lowry (Picture: Nathan Chandler)

The word ‘Queen’ has become a positive term of self-reference, and this exhibition asks the question ‘What kind of Queen are you?’ and celebrates ‘everyday’ queens of every description.

The exhibition will start with a celebration of the hit musical SIX and taking centre stage will be two of Gabriella Slade’s iconic costumes from the show: those of Catherine of Aragon and Katherine Howard – the first time they have gone on display in the North West.

The costumes will be displayed alongside a newly-commissioned model of the SIX stage set, designed by Emma Bailey, as well as scripts, film and memorabilia from Toby and Lucy.

It will feature new commissions from local legend, The Mancorialist, Instagram cartoonist Lily O’Farrell and from Manchester-based artist, Johnny Humes, whose remarkable new painting throws a spotlight on Fanny and Stella, two young men who shocked Victorian England.

Portrait of Fanny and Stella by Johnny Humes on display at The Lowry (Picture: Nathan Chandler)

A Tudor-style house inside the exhibition will be filled with UV light for some magical opportunities for visitors to draw their own pictures. There’s the chance to sing your heart out, and even a huge oversized gothic throne for that essential regal selfie. And there are mini-Queens hidden throughout the galleries to find.

Michael Simpson, The Lowry’s Director of Visual Arts, said: “SIX first came to The Lowry at Christmas 2018, at the end of the show’s first ever UK tour, and the production has returned regularly ever since, with sold-out audiences every time.

“With Queens we want to celebrate not only SIX and its huge personality and sense of fun, but also its glorious inclusivity, attitude and creativity. We know it’s going to be an exhibition like no other and is for everyone who loves SIX, but also for everyone who likes to have a good time.”

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the creators of SIX, said: “We are so, so excited that this SIX-inspired exhibition is being curated by The Lowry!

“It has been such a wonderful home for our show for so many years, and it’s just so cool that it will be inviting the Queendom to engage with it, its history, and theatre in a different way.

“We can’t wait for everyone to come along and experience the magic the team have been cooking up - we hope it’ll be super inspiring!”

SIX began life as a student production at the Edinburgh Festival playing to audiences of around 100. It has become one of the most successful musicals of recent years with productions running both in the West End and on Broadway.

It is also touring the UK and heading to The Lowry for a three-week run from Tuesday, August 13.

Winner of 26 major international awards including the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design on Broadway, double Whatsonstage Award winner for Best West End Show 2022 & 2023, and the 2020 BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical, SIX was also nominated for five Olivier awards, including Best New Musical.

One of the original stage costumes from SIX (Picture: Nathan Chandler)

SIX follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.

While at The Lowry, SIX will see a complete cast change with a new company taking over on August 20. The cast are backed by the show’s all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting

As part of the Queens exhibition there will also be venue-wide free learning and engagement activities based around the Queens theme for the duration of the exhibition’s run, including arts and crafts, silent discos and dance workshops.

For full details of what’s on offer during Queens, including live music performances and Queens-themed food and drink offerings in The Queens Head pub, please check the website.

Entry to Queens: The Exhibition is free but timeslots are required, which can be booked in advance on The Lowry website. Entry may also be available on arrival at The Lowry – however these will be subject to demand on the day and availability may vary so booking in advance is recommended to ensure entry.

The Lowry’s Galleries are open Tuesday to Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm. The Lowry is closed on Mondays.

The exhibition follows last year’s record-breaking exhibition showcasing the work of children’s author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler

A limited number of standing tickets are available for some performances of SIX. For details, visit www.the lowry.com.