A Cultural Coup for the Coast
When the iconic purple branding of SIX The Musical began to appear across Skegness, it signalled more than just a show—it marked a defining moment for the town’s cultural landscape and a powerful statement about what’s possible at the coast.
Last month, the Embassy Theatre had the honour of hosting the return of the internationally acclaimed production of SIX The Musical and the buzz across the community was electric.
Local shops, cafes, hotels and high streets felt the impact, with footfall increasing and purple fever taking over the town. But while audiences saw a flawless, high-energy performance on stage, the real story of how SIX returned to Skegness is one of vision, grit and tireless behind-the-scenes work — not only by the SIX touring crew but also by our incredible team at the Embassy!
We caught up with Theatre Manager and Producer, Polly, to shine a light on the extraordinary effort involved—and what this moment means for the future of arts and culture in Skegness.
Bringing SIX to Skegness
“This show has been over 16 months in the making…From initial conversations to curtain up, it’s been a long road of preparation, negotiation, and collaboration.”
Hosting a production of this magnitude was never going to be a simple plug-and-play. SIX is a technically complex show with significant rigging and production requirements—demands that push many regional theatres to their limits. But the Embassy Theatre team didn’t just rise to the challenge—they embraced it.
Behind-the-Scenes Reality
The venue itself was not initially designed to accommodate a show of this scale. Hosting SIX meant undertaking a full pre-install of additional rigging, requiring six extra days of venue access both before and after the tour dates.
“One of the most tasking elements was locating the right sized high level access equipment to fit through our new doors, reach 10.5 metres into the grid and extend 7 metres over the stage—just to install the extra rigging points. Thankfully it did all of this! PHEW.”
And beyond the technical specs, there’s the human element.
“It’s no secret we are an incredibly small team for the programme that we consistently deliver. Finding technically excellent crew with availability to join us for ad-hoc periods of intense delivery is incredibly difficult; especially being two hours from a motorway. Connections across the industry and years of building a reputation for being fantastic to work with (and fabulously hospitable) is critical for this!”
Shifting Perceptions and Raising the Bar
Hosting a production like this—complete with eight sold-out shows—has not only shifted perceptions of what’s possible in Skegness, but also demonstrated the town’s potential for driving participation, boosting visitor economy and generating meaningful income through culture.
“It certainly did back in 2023 and I think the return visit only goes to re-enforce that. My ambitions have always been high for this venue and the people of Skegness; it can only begin to really happen, though, when a team shares this too. It requires ambitious, skilled, invested people who know life-changing experiences can be delivered by pushing boundaries, challenging and exceeding expectations – I’m proud to say they do this every day!”
Looking Ahead
This moment is about more than one show. It’s a strategic inflection point for the Embassy Theatre.
“The programming of our venue is more dynamic than it has ever been both financially and artistically. The fan base and venue loyalty that is developed through seeing productions such as Thriller LIVE and SIX visiting has brought us a new era of theatre-goers—those who may not have looked at our venue as ‘for them’ before.”
And this has a ripple effect far beyond ticket sales.
“Fresh and upcoming titles need trusted audience and trusted venues in order to bring their products out of the city. The only convincing that should ever be done is in delivery, but the power of being able to demonstrate successes that have gone before is where it has to begin.”
A Collective Achievement
The success of SIX at the Embassy Theatre is a celebration not just for the theatre team, but for the entire town. It’s a testament to what happens when ambition meets community, when technical skill meets creative vision—and when a town is ready to rise to the occasion.
A huge thank you and congratulations go out to everyone involved—from the cast and crew to the staff, partners and supporters who made it all possible.
As the lights go down and the purple fades (for now), one thing’s clear: the stage in Skegness is set for even greater things to come!
