Six the Musical: Complete Broadway & West End Guide
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SIX
The Revolutionary Pop Concert Musical About Henry VIII’s Six Wives
A Modern Retelling of History’s Most Famous Wives
Where Tudor Queens Become Pop Superstars in a Singing Competition to Reclaim Their Stories
Overview
Six is a British musical comedy with music, book, and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. This groundbreaking show is a modern retelling of the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII, presented in the innovative form of a singing competition slash pop concert. In the show, the wives take turns telling their stories to determine who suffered the most from their shared husband, but ultimately seek to reclaim their individual identities and rewrite their stories.
The musical premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017, where it was performed by students from Cambridge University. Six premiered in the West End at the Arts Theatre in January 2019, and has since embarked on a UK tour. It premiered in North America in May 2019 and on Broadway in February 2020. Following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it officially opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (now Lena Horne Theatre) on October 3, 2021 and has since launched additional touring companies across the globe.
Live Recording for Cinema
A filmed stage production titled SIX The Musical Live!, featuring the original West End cast, was released in UK and Ireland cinemas by Universal Pictures on April 6, 2025. The film broke several box office records, including the highest opening day figure for a musical ever and became the third highest single day gross for an event film ever. It opened on the widest screen count for an event film across 700 venues, surpassing Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. An international release date is set to be announced.
Plot Synopsis
The six Queens introduce themselves through biographical pop songs and explain that their band’s lead singer will be whoever they determine had the worst experience at the hands of their shared ex-husband, Henry VIII.
Catherine recounts how Henry wished to annul their marriage and place her in a nunnery when he began pursuing Anne Boleyn, despite her loyalty to him. She refuses to go down without a fight.
Anne boasts about how Henry wanted her instead of Catherine, then complains of Henry’s infidelity, which led to Anne’s own flirtations with other men, which were the grounds for her beheading.
Jane steps up to take her turn but is ridiculed for having had an easy time with Henry. However, while admitting she may have been the only wife Henry truly loved, Jane claims that Henry’s love was conditional, only guaranteed because she produced a male heir, and that she stood by him despite his many faults.
“Haus of Holbein” – A Royal Dating App
Themes relating to ideas of female beauty and the sacrifices expected are explored in Hans Holbein’s portrait studio. The Queens parody a dating app by presenting a choice of potential brides.
Henry chooses Anna of Cleves for his fourth wife, but soon rejects her and annuls the marriage, claiming she failed to resemble her “profile picture.” She makes a show of complaining about living in a palace in Richmond with an enormous fortune and no husband telling her what to do, but ends up bragging about her lavish lifestyle instead. Anna admits her life lacked actual tragedy then drops out of the competition.
The Queens mock Katherine Howard claiming she’s “the least relevant Catherine,” but in retaliation she exposes flaws in the others’ claims to winning. Katherine recounts her romantic history, having had many suitors even as a child, and at first relishes her attractiveness before later revealing the emotional trauma and sexual abuse she faced in each of these relationships. This is the show’s most powerful emotional moment.
As the Queens continue to fight over who the true winner is, the final wife, Catherine Parr, questions the point of the competition, which defines them by their connection to Henry rather than as individuals. Frustrated, Parr details her separation from her lover, Sir Thomas Seymour, and arranged marriage to Henry; however, instead of simply complaining about her situation, she acknowledges her accomplishments independent of Henry.
The Finale – “Six”
The other Queens, realizing they have been robbed of their individuality, abandon the contest and declare that they don’t need Henry’s love to feel validated as people. They use their remaining moments onstage to rewrite their stories, singing together as a group rather than as solo artists, and writing their own ‘happily ever afters’, imagining that Henry had never married them. They then perform a mashup of songs that appeared earlier in the show in the “Megasix” finale, where audiences are invited to film the performance (depending on which production they are attending).
Development and Creation
Origins at Cambridge University
In late 2016, Toby Marlow was selected by the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society to create and write a new musical that would be presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017. Marlow, who was in his final year at Cambridge University, created a concept for a musical that would involve re-telling the story of King Henry VIII’s ex-wives. He partnered with another student, Lucy Moss, who began working on the concept for the musical together.
Research and Inspiration
As they began working on the musical, Marlow researched the ex-wives’ stories by reading Antonia Fraser’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII, while Moss viewed a documentary series, Six Wives by Lucy Worsley. They also watched and drew inspiration from the 2011 Beyoncé concert and story-telling performance, Live at Roseland: Elements of 4.
The foundation for the musical was written over the course of approximately 10 nonconsecutive days.
Pop Star Inspirations
In developing the characters, Marlow and Moss were inspired by several real-life pop stars who were used as a composite and musical inspiration for the characters:
Production History
Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2017)
The world premiere production of Six took place at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as a presentation by the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society. The musical ran from July 31, 2017 until October 14, 2017. The cast consisted primarily of students from Cambridge University:
Original Edinburgh Cast
- Megan Gilbert originated Catherine of Aragon
- Ash Weir originated Anne Boleyn
- Holly Musgrave originated Jane Seymour
- Oliver Wickham originated Anna of Cleves (first non-binary cast member)
- Annabel Marlow originated Katherine Howard (Toby Marlow’s sister, who the character was modeled after)
- Shimali De Silva originated Catherine Parr (first South Asian cast member to play the role)
The production’s run was sold-out and led to the musical being invited to return to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018. Although the show did not win any major awards at the Fringe, it received positive reviews and buzz, and expressions of commercial interest.
West End Journey
Following the success of the Edinburgh Fringe production, Marlow and Moss brought Six back to Cambridge, where it attracted the attention of producer Kenny Wax, who went on to partner with George Stiles and Wendy and Andy Barnes to produce the show.
December 2017 – Arts Theatre Preview
Six had its first professional production at the Arts Theatre in London’s West End, for six Monday night performances beginning on December 18, 2017. The cast included Renée Lamb, Christina Modestou, Natalie Paris, Genesis Lynea, Aimie Atkinson, and Izuka Hoyle.
July-December 2018 – UK Tour
Six embarked on a brief tour across the UK between July 11, 2018 and December 30, 2018. Paris and Atkinson reprised their roles, joined by new cast members. The tour included performances at the Norwich Playhouse and return engagements at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Arts Theatre in London.
January 2019 – Official West End Premiere
Six officially made its West End premiere at the Arts Theatre on January 17, 2019. All of the cast members from the 2018 touring production reprised their roles. The production was directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage.
COVID-19 Impact and Resilience
Performances were suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 5, 2020, Six resumed performances at the Lyric Theatre, but was forced to stop again on December 14, 2020 due to London’s COVID-19 restrictions.
On May 21, 2021, Six reopened for a second time at the Lyric Theatre. The musical finished its residency there on August 29, 2021, then transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre where it reopened on September 29, 2021 and continues to play.
UK and International Tours
The first UK tour opened on October 24, 2019 at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford with Lauren Drew, Maddison Bulleyment, Lauren Byrne, Shekinah McFarlane, Jodie Steele, and Athena Collins. The tour was suspended in March 2020 due to COVID-19, but resumed on June 8, 2021 in Canterbury.
The tour expanded into an international tour in 2023, featuring stops interspersed with performances on the UK tour. To date, the tour has visited South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Spain and China.
North American Productions
Chicago Premiere and Pre-Broadway Tryout (2019)
Six made its North American premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in May 2019, as a “likely Broadway tryout.” The production opened on May 14, 2019 and played for an extended run, breaking box office records. The cast included:
| Role | Original North American Cast |
|---|---|
| Catherine of Aragon | Adrianna Hicks |
| Anne Boleyn | Andrea Macasaet |
| Jane Seymour | Abby Mueller |
| Anna of Cleves | Brittney Mack |
| Katherine Howard | Samantha Pauly |
| Catherine Parr | Anna Uzele |
In late August 2019, the tour moved to the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It made its Canadian premiere at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre in November 2019, followed by a final performance series at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Norwegian Cruise Line Productions
Six was performed on Norwegian Cruise Line ships beginning in September 2019 on the Norwegian Bliss, with a second production beginning in November 2019 on the Norwegian Breakaway. The productions were paused in March 2020 due to COVID-19, but performances resumed in September 2021 on the Norwegian Breakaway and in October 2021 on the Norwegian Bliss. The productions closed in January and February 2024 respectively.
Broadway Opening
The Broadway Journey
Six began Broadway previews on February 13, 2020 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (now Lena Horne Theatre). On the day of its scheduled Broadway opening, March 12, 2020, all Broadway theatres were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Six resumed Broadway previews on September 17, 2021, and it opened officially on October 3, 2021. The first new musical to open on Broadway since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Variety, its opening night was a celebration for Broadway theatre.
The production was directed by Moss and Armitage, with choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, set design by Emma Bailey, costumes by Gabriella Slade, and lighting by Tim Deiling. The original Broadway cast was the same as the 2019 North American tour cast.
Broadway Success
To promote the show, the cast performed at the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A cast album of the Broadway production was released, with the live recording from opening night released on May 6, 2022. This was the first time in Broadway history that an original cast recorded their musical’s production album live. It debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Cast Album charts and was streamed over 3.5 million times within two weeks of its release.
US National Tours
“Aragon” Tour (2022-2023)
The first US national tour, dubbed the “Aragon” tour, began performances at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago on March 29, 2022. The cast included Khaila Wilcoxon, Storm Lever, Jasmine Forsberg, Olivia Donalson, Didi Romero, and Gabriela Carrillo. The West End’s Natalie Paris joined the tour in 2023. The tour ended in July 2023, and the original tour cast moved to the ongoing Broadway production in December 2023.
“Boleyn” Tour (2022-Present)
A second overlapping US national tour, dubbed the “Boleyn” tour, began performances at The Smith Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 20, 2022. The original cast included Gerianne Pérez, Alexandra “Zan” Berube, Amina Faye, Terica Marie, Aline Mayagoitia, and Sydney Parra. A new cast was announced in April 2024.
Canadian Production
A Canadian production of Six played first at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton between August 12 and September 10, 2023, then transferred to the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto where it began on September 23, 2023 and closed on May 26, 2024.
Australian Productions
Six had its Australian premiere at the Sydney Opera House in January 2020 starring Chloé Zuel, Kala Gare, Loren Hunter, Kiana Daniele, Courtney Monsma, and Vidya Makan. The production was originally planned to tour to Melbourne and Adelaide in 2020, but performances were postponed due to COVID-19.
The Australian production reopened on December 19, 2021, at the Sydney Opera House and ran through to April 2, 2022, with cast changes. It then continued its Australian tour in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, and back to Sydney, with Perth and Brisbane to follow. The show closed in February 2023 after its last run in Brisbane.
On November 28, 2023, it was announced that Six would be returning to Australia for another tour starting from August 2024 in Melbourne, then going to Sydney from October 2024 and Brisbane from January 2025.
International Productions
South Korea (2023)
Six had its Asian premiere at the Shinhan Card Artium in South Korea, the musical’s first non-English production, opening on March 10, 2023. The cast of the UK tour performed the roles for three weeks, then beginning March 31, 2023, a Korean cast began performances with multiple actors splitting the roles, including Lee Arumsoul, Son Seung-yeon, Kim Ji-woo, Bae Soo-jung, Park Hye-na, Park Ga-ram, Kim Ji-sun, Choi Hyun-sun, Kim Ryeo-won, Heo Sol-ji, Yoo Joo-hye, and Hong Ji-hee.
Japan (2024-2025)
A Japanese production began performances with multiple actors splitting the roles, including Emiko Suzuki, Sonim, Meimi Tamura, Maho Minamoto, Mahya Harada, Harumi, Eliana, Marie Sugaya, Airi Suzuki, Erika Toyohara, Sora Kazuki, and Ruki Saito.
Historic West End Performance
Most of the Japanese cast are set to perform a one-week engagement at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End (where Six currently plays in London) in November 2025 in Japanese, becoming the first foreign language production of the show to be performed in the West End.
Non-Replica Productions
Hungary
The Madách Theatre in Budapest, Hungary, is presenting a non-replica staging that opened on October 14, 2023.
Poland
A Polish non-replica production opened at Teatr Syrena in Warsaw on September 9, 2023. It is directed and choreographed by Ewelina Adamska-Porczyk.
Croatia
A Croatian production is planned for May 2025.
Musical Numbers
- “Ex-Wives” – Company
- “Ex-Wives (Reprise)” – Company †
- “No Way” – Catherine of Aragon and Company
- “Don’t Lose Ur Head” – Anne Boleyn and Company
- “Heart of Stone” – Jane Seymour and Company
- “Haus of Holbein” – Company
- “Get Down” – Anna of Cleves and Company
- “All You Wanna Do” – Katherine Howard and Company
- “I Don’t Need Your Love” – Catherine Parr
- “I Don’t Need Your Love (Remix)” – Catherine Parr and Company ††
- “Six” – Company
- “The Megasix (Encore)” – Company †
† Not included on the studio cast recording
†† Included as part of “I Don’t Need Your Love” on the studio cast recording
The Ladies in Waiting – On-Stage Band
Included on-stage is the back-up band, known as “The Ladies in Waiting.” The band provides part of the accompaniment and are costumed and assume the persona of a “historical” lady-in-waiting. The band consists of:
- María (Drummer) – Named after María de Salinas
- Bessie (Bassist) – Named after Elizabeth Blount
- Maggie (Guitarist) – Named after Margaret Lee
- Joan (Keyboardist) – Named after Jane Meutas
According to Playbill, the on-stage band members execute a myriad of musical cues, acting choices, and subtle choreography that further immerse the audience into the concert experience and underscore the razor-sharp wit of the show’s libretto.
Cast Recordings
Studio Cast Recording (2018)
Six (Studio Cast Recording) is a studio album that was released digitally and on CD on August 31, 2018 through 6 Music, Loudmouth Music, and Ex-Wives Ltd. The recording was released on vinyl for the first time on March 11, 2022.
Studio Cast
- Renée Lamb (Catherine of Aragon)
- Christina Modestou (Anne Boleyn)
- Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour)
- Genesis Lynea (Anna of Cleves)
- Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard)
- Izuka Hoyle (Catherine Parr)
Individual songs were also certified: “Don’t Lose Ur Head” was certified Silver in 2022 and “Ex-Wives” was certified Silver in 2023. An instrumental “sing-along” version was released on July 30, 2019.
Broadway Opening Night Live Album (2022)
Historic First
Six: Live on Opening Night (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is a live album recorded by the original Broadway cast on their official opening night at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on October 3, 2021. This was the first time in Broadway history that an original cast recorded their musical’s production album live.
The cast recording was released digitally on May 6, 2022. It includes all of the musical numbers in the show, as well as a bonus song by the Broadway alternates. It debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Cast Album charts and was streamed over 3.5 million times within two weeks of its release. The recording was released on CD and vinyl.
Themes and Cultural Impact
Feminist Reclamation
Marlow and Moss lamented the lack of gender diversity within the theatre industry, which caused them to focus on themes of queerness while developing the show. They wanted a cast that was predominantly female or non-binary and the story itself to feature queer narratives in a space which normally didn’t.
Historical Accuracy and Artistic License
Six is based on real historical events and figures, but it does take artistic liberties in its portrayal of these characters. The musical incorporates some elements of historical fact, such as the marriages, divorces, and executions of the six queens.
The show is generally quite sympathetic towards its characters. For instance, it portrays Katherine Howard as a survivor of abuse, which is debated amongst historians. Researchers and writers such as Suzannah Lipscomb and Gareth Russell have identified themselves as fans of the show.
Unique Performance Elements
Handheld Microphones
Rather than the more typical head-worn microphones used in most musicals, the Queens use hand-held radio microphones. Their costumes have a loop to hold these when not in use. Marlow and Moss chose to use handheld microphones “to present a unique experience, something that referenced Beyoncé at Roseland.” The Queens also wear in-ear monitors.
Critical Reception
West End Reviews
Chicago/Pre-Broadway Reviews
Broadway Reviews
The reviews for the 2021 Broadway production were positive across the board.
Awards and Recognition
2019 Olivier Awards
Nominated Best New Musical
Nominated Best Actress in a Musical
Nominated Outstanding Achievement in Music
2020 Drama League Awards
Nominated Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical
2022 Tony Awards
Nominated Best Musical
Nominated Best Original Score (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss)
Nominated Best Book of a Musical (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss)
Nominated Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Nominated Best Costume Design of a Musical (Gabriella Slade)
Nominated Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tim Deiling)
Nominated Best Sound Design of a Musical
Nominated Best Choreography (Carrie-Anne Ingrouille)
2022 Drama Desk Awards
Nominated Outstanding Musical
Nominated Outstanding Music
Nominated Outstanding Lyrics
Nominated Outstanding Book of a Musical
Nominated Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Nominated Outstanding Choreography
Nominated Outstanding Costume Design
2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards
Nominated Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Nominated Outstanding New Score
Nominated Outstanding Costume Design
2023 Grammy Awards
Nominated Best Musical Theater Album
Cinema Release and Related Projects
SIX The Musical Live! (2025)
In June 2022, it was announced that there would be a live recording of the stage production. All of the original West End cast members returned to reprise their roles. Tapings were held on June 29-30, 2022 at the Vaudeville Theatre, with audience tickets sold via a virtual lottery for a performance on July 1, 2022, the final recording day.
Record-Breaking Box Office
The professionally filmed live recording, titled SIX The Musical Live!, was released on April 6, 2025 in UK and Ireland cinemas by Universal Pictures. The film broke several box office records:
- Highest opening day figure for a musical ever
- Third highest single day gross for an event film ever
- Widest screen count for an event film – across 700 venues, surpassing Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
Cinemas across the country added many more screenings due to popular demand. An international release date is yet to be announced.
On April 3, 2025, a single titled “My Girls”, written by Marlow and Moss and performed by SVN, was released to celebrate the film’s release.
Film Adaptation
In October 2020, co-creators Moss and Marlow confirmed that they were “in talks” about a potential film adaptation of the musical.
SVN Girl Group
After being in the original West End cast for Six, Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Jarnéia Richard-Noel, Millie O’Connell, Maiya Quansah-Breed, and Natalie May Paris teamed up with cast understudy Grace Mouat to launch a girl group called SVN (pronounced “seven”). The band has released their own original singles including “Stars” and “WOMAN” in December 2021, “FREE”, “Boss” and “At Christmas” in 2022, and “Triggered” in 2023.
Notable Cast Members
West End
Notable Replacements and Appearances
- Amy Di Bartolomeo – Catherine of Aragon
- Courtney Bowman – Anne Boleyn
- Sophie Isaacs – Katherine Howard
- Danielle Steers – Catherine Parr
Special Note: Show co-creator Toby Marlow filled in as Catherine Parr for two West End performances on July 28, 2019 due to a cast-wide illness.
Broadway
Notable Replacements
- Jane Seymour: Jasmine Forsberg, Bella Coppola
- Katherine Howard: Didi Romero
- Catherine Parr: Joy Woods, Taylor Iman Jones
👑 Long Live the Queens! 👑
From Cambridge students to global phenomenon, Six has revolutionized musical theater by giving voice to history’s most famous wives. With productions spanning five continents and breaking box office records worldwide, these six queens have proven that their stories are worth telling—on their own terms.
