SIX – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre – Review

Dates: 17 – 28 June 2025

Concepts behind Musicals can often be quite bizarre, but this one has to be right up there. The story allows us to meet the 6 women who married Henry VIII, as they hold a competition to try to decide who suffered the most at his hands.

The play was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss when they were both students at Cambridge University. It was inspired by a recent Beyoncé tour, where the singer told her story in intervals between the music, and this production is equal parts pop concert and theatrical performance. It premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017. This modest production was a huge success, and it was later produced in the West End in 2019, before making its way to Broadway in February 2020.

While the history of English Kings and Queens gains little traction in Ireland, there’s something quite fascinating about Henry VIII and his cruelty to his wives. We meet Catherine of Aragon, who had her marriage annulled before she was almost placed in a nunnery. Anne Boleyn had to suffer Henry’s infidelity before he found grounds to have her beheaded (inspiring the song “Don’t Lose Ur Head”). Henry’s third wife, Jane Seymour, is accused of having it too easy at Henry’s hands by the other wives. She died of natural causes! We also meet characters like Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and finally Catherine Parr. There is a thoroughly modern slant on it all, as the women discuss the relevance of defining themselves through their communal husband, Henry. There is talk of dating apps, selfies and other anachronisms as the production playfully blends fact with fiction.

“Don’t be bitter
(Ooh) ’cause I’m fitter
(Ooh) Why hasn’t it hit her?
He doesn’t wanna bang you
Somebody hang you” – Don’t Lose Ur Head

The story of each Queen is told through song in a variety of musical styles. There is a four-piece band at the back of the stage, with guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. While each singer has their own solo song, the rest of the six work as backing singers.

The work feels thoroughly modern, with its pop music soundtrack and strong feminist message. It is a celebration of these beleaguered women as they meet up in whatever afterlife they now reside in. This sassy crew throw insults at each other before breaking into song, discussing the hardship of their lives. This is a pop group that aims to empower women through their vision of a sisterhood. The audience was mainly women, with the younger members showing their appreciation through shouts, screams and tears! Some may find the story too woke for their personal taste, but it is great to see the young audience so enthused by this tale.