Everything You Need to Know About Six the Musical (2025 Guide)
Six the Musical has gone from a small university project to a global sensation, captivating audiences with its powerful blend of pop music, historical intrigue, and feminist messages.
Whether you’ve seen the show live or are planning to catch it soon, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about Six.
From its origins and plot to its worldwide productions and tour dates, we’ve got all the details covered.
Key Takeaways
- Six the Musical’s Pop-Driven Retelling: Six the Musical gives Henry VIII’s six wives a voice through a modern pop concert format, putting them in control of their own stories.
- Six’s Worldwide Performances: From London’s West End to Broadway and beyond, you can catch Six in major cities across North America and the UK with upcoming tours.
- Six’s Origins and Global Fame: Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss while studying at Cambridge University, Six the Musical has since grown into a global sensation.
What is Six the Musical about?
Six the Musical is the untold story of Henry VIII’s six wives. While history has often remembered them solely through their connection to the king, Six flips that narrative on its head. The musical transforms the six queens into pop stars, each telling her story in her own voice, through upbeat, modern songs.
The story is framed as a competition, with each queen arguing that she had the worst time being married to Henry. But as the show progresses, the women realise that they don’t need to compete. Instead, they come together, united by their shared experiences and desire to reclaim their own identities.
It’s a musical that is both fun and thoughtful, packed with humour, drama, and empowerment. Each queen’s song reflects her unique perspective and challenges, and while the show is filled with catchy pop tunes, it also delivers powerful messages about female solidarity and agency.
The Queens of Six
Each of Henry VIII’s wives in Six has a distinct personality and style, with their songs drawing on the influence of contemporary pop icons. Here’s a breakdown of the queens and the pop stars they’re inspired by:
| Queen | Personality | Pop Star Inspirations |
|---|---|---|
| Catherine of Aragon | Strong-willed and refuses to be cast aside | Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez |
| Anne Boleyn | Playful, cheeky, and clever | Lily Allen, Avril Lavigne |
| Jane Seymour | Loving and loyal, though tragically short-lived | Adele, Sia |
| Anna of Cleves | Confident and carefree, aware she got the best deal | Nicki Minaj, Rihanna |
| Katherine Howard | Flirty but hiding deep emotional scars | Britney Spears, Ariana Grande |
| Catherine Parr | Wise, compassionate, and all about unity | Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé |
Each queen gets her own solo in the show, and these songs reflect the challenges and triumphs they experienced during their time with Henry. The musical styles vary, from hip-hop to ballads, giving the queens a contemporary sound that’s both familiar and fresh.
The Origins of Six the Musical
Six was created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss in 2016 while they were studying at Cambridge University. What started as a small university project for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe quickly gained attention for its unique blend of history and pop music.
The musical premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017, and thanks to its immediate popularity, it wasn’t long before Six was being performed professionally in London’s West End. Since then, it has gone on to play on Broadway, in Australia, and across North America.
The story behind Six’s creation is just as inspiring as the show itself. Marlow and Moss wrote the show during their final year at Cambridge, and their passion for both history and pop culture shines through in every aspect of the musical. They wanted to tell the untold stories of Henry VIII’s wives, but in a way that felt modern and relevant to today’s audiences.
Major Productions of Six
Since its debut, Six has become a global success, with productions running across the world. Here’s a closer look at some of the major productions that have brought Six to life.
Six in London’s West End
The first professional production of Six took place in London at the Arts Theatre in 2017. The show was an immediate hit with West End audiences, who were drawn to its bold take on history and its infectious pop soundtrack.
Since then, Six has moved around the West End, playing at theatres like the Lyric Theatre and the Vaudeville Theatre. The London production continues to draw crowds, and its success has paved the way for international productions.
Six on Broadway
Six made its Broadway debut at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in 2020. Although its opening night was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the show eventually opened to rave reviews in September 2021.
Broadway audiences embraced Six’s unique format and the way it fused historical figures with modern music. Critics praised the show’s energy, its feminist message, and its ability to make history feel relevant to a contemporary audience.
Six on Tour in the UK
The success of Six has also led to a tour across the UK, where fans from all corners of the country can experience the show. Whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, England, or Northern Ireland, there’s a good chance Six will be coming to a city near you.
Here are the upcoming UK tour dates (using UK date format):
| Venue | Dates (UK Format) |
|---|---|
| New Theatre Peterborough | Wed 11 Dec 2024 – Sun 15 Dec 2024 |
| Stockton Globe Theatre | Tue 17 Dec 2024 – Thu 2 Jan 2025 |
| Chichester Festival Theatre | Tue 4 Feb 2025 – Sat 8 Feb 2025 |
| Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury | Tue 11 Feb 2025 – Sat 22 Feb 2025 |
| Theatre Royal Glasgow | Tue 25 Feb 2025 – Sat 1 Mar 2025 |
| Eden Court, Inverness | Tue 4 Mar 2025 – Sat 8 Mar 2025 |
| Birmingham Hippodrome | Tue 11 Mar 2025 – Sat 15 Mar 2025 |
| Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham | Tue 18 Mar 2025 – Sat 22 Mar 2025 |
| Storyhouse Theatre, Chester | Tue 25 Mar 2025 – Sat 29 Mar 2025 |
| King’s Theatre Portsmouth | Tue 1 Apr 2025 – Sat 5 Apr 2025 |
| Bradford Alhambra Theatre | Tue 8 Apr 2025 – Sat 12 Apr 2025 |
| Regent Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent | Tue 15 Apr 2025 – Sat 19 Apr 2025 |
| Aylesbury Waterside Theatre | Tue 20 May 2025 – Sat 24 May 2025 |
| Curve Theatre, Leicester | Tue 27 May 2025 – Sat 31 May 2025 |
| Hull New Theatre | Tue 3 Jun 2025 – Sat 7 Jun 2025 |
| Grand Opera House, Belfast | Tue 10 Jun 2025 – Sat 14 Jun 2025 |
| Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin | Tue 17 Jun 2025 – Sat 28 Jun 2025 |
| Rhyl Pavilion Theatre | Tue 1 Jul 2025 – Sat 5 Jul 2025 |
| Leeds Grand Theatre | Tue 8 Jul 2025 – Sat 12 Jul 2025 |
| Belgrade Theatre, Coventry | Tue 15 Jul 2025 – Sat 19 Jul 2025 |
| Embassy Theatre, Skegness | Tue 22 Jul 2025 – Sat 26 Jul 2025 |
| His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen | Tue 5 Aug 2025 – Sat 9 Aug 2025 |
| Newcastle Theatre Royal | Tue 12 Aug 2025 – Sat 23 Aug 2025 |
| Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford | Tue 26 Aug 2025 – Sat 6 Sep 2025 |
| Theatre Royal Brighton | Tue 9 Sep 2025 – Sat 20 Sep 2025 |
| Hall for Cornwall, Truro | Tue 30 Sep 2025 – Sat 4 Oct 2025 |
| Princess Theatre, Torquay | Tue 7 Oct 2025 – Sat 11 Oct 2025 |
| Grand Opera House, York | Tue 14 Oct 2025 – Sat 18 Oct 2025 |
| Edinburgh Playhouse | Tue 21 Oct 2025 – Sat 25 Oct 2025 |
| Cliffs Pavilion, Southend | Tue 11 Nov 2025 – Sat 15 Nov 2025 |
| Festival Theatre, Malvern | Tue 18 Nov 2025 – Sat 22 Nov 2025 |
| Wycombe Swan Theatre | Tue 25 Nov 2025 – Sat 29 Nov 2025 |
| Mayflower Theatre, Southampton | Tue 2 Dec 2025 – Sat 6 Dec 2025 |
| New Theatre Oxford | Tue 9 Dec 2025 – Sat 13 Dec 2025 |
Six on Tour in North America
After its success in London and New York, Six launched a North American Tour that started in Chicago in 2019. The tour has since travelled to cities across the United States and Canada, allowing more fans to experience the magic of the queens live on stage.
Here are the upcoming North American Tour dates (using US date format):
| Venue | Dates (US Format) |
|---|---|
| The Clemens Center, Elmira, NY | November 8 – 9, 2024 |
| The National Theatre, Washington, DC | November 12 – December 1, 2024 |
| Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston, MA | December 3 – 29, 2024 |
| The Bushnell, Hartford, CT | December 31, 2024 – January 5, 2025 |
| Fisher Theatre, Detroit, MI | January 7 – 12, 2025 |
| Schuster Center, Dayton, OH | January 14 – 19, 2025 |
| Fabulous Fox, St. Louis, MO | January 21 – February 2, 2025 |
| Von Braun Center Concert Hall, Huntsville, AL | February 4 – 9, 2025 |
| BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham, AL | February 11 – 16, 2025 |
| Soldiers And Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga, TN | February 18 – 23, 2025 |
| Koger Center for the Arts, Columbia, SC | February 25 – March 2, 2025 |
| Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis, IN | March 4 – 9, 2025 |
| Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM | March 18 – 23, 2025 |
| McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA | March 25 – 30, 2025 |
| Saroyan Theatre, Fresno, CA | April 1 – 6, 2025 |
| San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose, CA | April 22 – 27, 2025 |
| Keller Auditorium, Portland, OR | April 29 – May 4, 2025 |
| The Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA | May 6 – 11, 2025 |
| Queen Elizabeth, Vancouver, BC | May 13 – 18, 2025 |
| Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB | May 20 – 25, 2025 |
| Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD | May 28 – June 1, 2025 |
| Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, HI | June 17 – 29, 2025 |
The Music of Six
The music of Six is what makes the show truly stand out. Each queen gets her own solo song that blends her personal story with modern pop sounds. The songs range from soulful ballads to high-energy hip-hop and everything in between.
Below is a list of all the songs in Six the Musical:
| Song | Performer | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-Wives | Company | The opening number that introduces all six queens. |
| No Way | Catherine of Aragon | Catherine refuses to be cast aside after Henry divorces her. |
| Don’t Lose Ur Head | Anne Boleyn | A cheeky, playful song as Anne mocks the drama surrounding her rise and fall. |
| Heart of Stone | Jane Seymour | Jane expresses her love for Henry, despite the tragic outcome of their relationship. |
| Haus of Holbein | Company | A satirical number about Henry choosing his next wife from a portrait of Anna of Cleves. |
| Get Down | Anna of Cleves | Anna celebrates her independence and realises that she got the best deal out of her marriage. |
| All You Wanna Do | Katherine Howard | A seemingly fun pop song that reveals Katherine’s trauma of being used by men her entire life. |
| I Don’t Need Your Love | Catherine Parr | Catherine Parr asserts her independence and refuses to be defined by her relationship with Henry. |
| Six | Company | The final number where all the queens come together to celebrate their unity and reclaim their own stories. |
| Megasix (Encore) | Company | A high-energy mash-up of the show’s greatest hits performed during the encore. |
Each song is carefully crafted to reflect the queen’s personality and the challenges she faced during her marriage to Henry VIII. The music is fun, engaging, and leaves a lasting impact on the audience.
Overall
Six the Musical is more than just a history lesson. It’s a celebration of female empowerment, packed with infectious pop songs and humour. Whether you’re watching it in the West End, on Broadway, or catching it on tour across North America or the UK, you’re in for a show that’s fun, thoughtful, and guaranteed to leave you singing.
With its global success, Six has shown that history can be fresh, relevant, and incredibly entertaining. The queens have truly reclaimed their stories, and audiences worldwide are loving every moment of it.
FAQs
What is Six the Musical about?
Six reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives as pop stars competing to see who had the hardest time being married to the king. Each queen tells her story through song, but the competition soon turns into a powerful statement about unity and reclaiming their stories.
Where is Six currently playing?
Six is currently running in London’s West End, on Broadway, and is also touring across North America and the UK.
Who wrote Six the Musical?
Six was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, who came up with the idea while they were studying at Cambridge University.
How long is Six the Musical?
The running time of Six is 1 hour and 20 minutes with no interval, making it a snappy and engaging experience from start to finish.
What are the songs in Six the Musical?
The musical features several standout songs, including Ex-Wives, No Way, Don’t Lose Ur Head, Heart of Stone, Get Down, All You Wanna Do, and the show’s finale, Six.
When did Six premiere?
Six first premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 before moving to London’s West End. It debuted on Broadway in 2020.
What awards has Six the Musical won?
Six has been nominated for and won several awards, including Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Costume Design, as well as multiple Olivier Award nominations.
Where else has Six been performed?
Aside from London and New York, Six has toured across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. It’s also playing in theatres across the UK.
Is Six still being performed on cruise ships?
No, Six was previously performed aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines, but its last performance on a cruise ship was on 24th January 2024.
What is the “Megasix”?
The Megasix is the encore performed at the end of the show, where the queens come together for a high-energy mash-up of their individual songs, offering a final burst of fun and excitement for the audience.
