"This World Will Remember Us!" - History and Harmony

History and theatre often go hand in hand. There is always some form of background to the story being told on stage. However, when dealing with musicals that cover actual historical events or follow "real" historical figures how useful, accurate or entertaining is a singing history lesson?

Like most things, musicals always have some starting point. That one spark of inspiration that is the catalyst for many of the musicals that we all know and love.

The dramaturgical implications of history and the historiography of placing such events and/or characters into a contemporary musical setting, but how useful is it in teaching about such figures or events ?

What side are we seeing? - With Hamilton, the British are the villains because of an American writer and a predominantly American audience. Whereas SIX pulls the female empowerment card and at last tells her-story after years in the shade of patriarchy. Bonnie and Clyde, you feel guilty for them and see them as real people, not just the notorious crime duo. You also see the failed American Dream through them, which unfortunately was the case for many. You either got the chance to live it through or die trying.

Regardless of their contextual setting, there are themes in all of these that contemporary audiences will relate to on some level creating a sense of timelessness to these historical pieces. “Real” history can seem overwhelming to some a lot of facts and figures, so having this alternate form of media to in a way "educate" new audiences can be helpful.

History Has Its Eyes On You

Let's start with a well known, but contemporary favourite, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton.

Hamilton is a historiographical musical telling the story of American independence focusing on the guy that's on the ten dollar bill. Naturally it has an American bias, so performing in front of a British audience is a history lesson within itself. Hamilton is one of the most notorious modern day historical musicals. Someone could even go as far to say that it paved the way for other future historiographical productions.

However, the question stands as is it appropriate to use this as an educational tool?

To an extent, yes, because it is accurate for the most part (based off of Ron Chernow's biography), and with the contemporary style of music it appeals more to a younger audience, also with the more liberalist view on politics, again appeals to that type of audience. The power of certain phrases in a contemporary setting “immigrants we get the job done!”. The pride that comes from a race-conscious cast and audience is a step into the contemporary and is one of the many productions to pave the way forward and away from traditional casting types. Furthermore, Hamilton in fact encourages education through this media, by having their own educational programming or EduHam (reaches out to young people from low-income backgrounds) and exposes young and willing people to the world of theatre.

Many of the younger audiences wanting to delve into contemporary musical theatre, found themselves knee-deep in the world of the start of American politics as we know it. But why all of a sudden people are now interested in the person on the back of the ten dollar bill. It's all thanks to Lin Manuel Miranda's artistic genius. It was the unique blend of your "traditional" musical theatre sing-song narrative and the contemporary sound of hip-hop with cleverly written lyrics to match. The show as a whole is simply listenable and because of it draws in audiences without them knowing it.

If there is one thing that Hamilton does well it is finding humanity in the facts. Miranda takes these two dimensional historical figures and transforms them into three dimensional characters on stage demonstrating the profound context and bringing a sense of morality/humanity to them. But by adding the musical aspect as well, changes the relationships students develop with history.

Can You See Me!

Bonnie & Clyde, a recent favourite with the latest west-end transfer to the Garrick Theatre (2023). This specific production does have the historical elements to it within the visual barebones, but the reality lies beneath what we, as an audience, can see on stage. The historical element extends its arms far and wide, which is even more evident that a strong level of dramaturgical work has occurred behind the scenes when it comes to historical based productions.

First and foremost, again, is a fictionalised account of the infamous criminal couple. We as audiences are at the theatre for a reason. To see the drama! And that is exactly what we see in this account of Bonnie and Clyde. Although, this specific production feels like it seems to focus more on the commentary of the contextual side of things. Highlighting themes beyond that of love. There are several overarching themes in this musical, the most prominent being the American Dream vs Reality. This story really does show the tragedy of our two infamous lovers. The lust-filled endeavours that fuel the hatred for an unforgiving socio-economic setting.

As mentioned, The American Dream is a significant theme of the show. The raw and real American Dream, not this fantasised one, but the failure that comes with it. “They stole, wouldn’t you?” (made in America) - the American Dream is in their blood, comes across as the defining factor of what should fuel you. If anything this musical serves to highlight the anti heros and how even in the darkest and dangerous time in one's life there will be something, no matter how miniscule to fuel you towards what you came to do.

Although this historical accuracy is there to a certain extent (after all this is musical theatre) There seems to be more of a didactic approach to this show - whether that was the intention or not? We can be suckers for a good dramatic love story, but with this we all know how their story ends. However, its what we take away that seems to be more of the lesson here!

Don’t Lose Your Head

Six the Musical written by Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII as they go back and try to reclaim their rightful crowns, all whilst telling their side of the story. The main focus of the musical is that of feminism, what it meant to be married to the king and being reduced to ‘one of six’. Although this feminist angle is at the epicentre of the production, ironically it doesn’t pass the Bechdel test. We know before the curtain rises that this isn't going to be the next History Channel Tudor documentary and maybe the contemporary minds entering the theatre world need something they can relate to on a deeper level. Yes, the Queen's are the beating heart of the show but they also represent something a lot more than their rightful historical figure heads. They represent what they could've been, without the patriarchal restrictions (obviously with a comical and fictional twist).

Feminism or at least the presentation of feminism is a theme that will forever be prevalent throughout simply due to the nature of the show. Each queen is inspired by a different and successful female identifying artist. But behind the facade of glitzy costumes and the concert-like setting as an audience, we already know that this is going to be a rewrite of history as we may know it. Making it into her-story.

Despite this Six does indeed explore the feminist angle but through a historical lens. As the Queen's mention in the opening number "I've been just one word in a stupid rhyme". One of the shows creatives Toby Marlow explains that the shows intention was not focused on 100% historical accuracy but was to more challenge/question the "what if?" . The general concept behind the show is simple (compliment) and having it one act even simpler. 80 minutes to tell a story. 80 minutes without the King being center stage. SIX is incredibly clever with this, much like Hamilton the audiences seeking out to watch SIX go for the music. Catchy songs, played out like a pop album, with equally catchy and satirical lyrics to go along with it, whilst also subtly learning about the Tudour monarchy.

Ultimately, did the six wives of Henry VIII come together to form an all girl power band... no. Did they have a background, a story before they became wife number [insert here]... absolutely! They're goal was to change the mindsets that surround these historical figures. To bring the question of "What if?" to the forefront of their creativity and to pass that one to the audience.

The Final Score

There seems to be a running theme with the majority of historical musicals or ones based off of true events. It's that they never strive for full 100% accuracy. After all this is theatre. And theatre wouldn't be itself without a little drama. Ultimately, the argument stands that yes, to an extent, these musicals can be used for educational purposes as at its core the key facts and figures are correct but on a more indepth level not so much. But it does ask the question of does the success of a historical musical actually encourage audiences to want to learn more behind the characters presented to them on the stage?

The perks of all of this is the fact that contemporary musical theatre does have a massive cult following and that most consumers of this are open to interpretation/exploration when it comes to the unconventional. If anything, audiences are flooding in to see these productions because it is something different, that they can learn something from. For some reason just adding the musical aspect already opens many doors for those to come and expand their knowledge. I know that I wouldn't be the one to pick up a book about Henry VII's wives, but I would go and see SIX in a heartbeat.

With all this being said, it is probably easy to say that adaptations and historical events/figures go hand in hand. With recent productions such as Sylvia at the Old Vic and even NEWSIES have graced their diadactic presence on the theatre scene. Another argument could present itself in the form of how exactly is it supposed to teach or is it through straightforward educational means or that of being didactic, to teach us a lesson so history doesn't end up repeating itself.