SIX the Musical lands in Sydney for the fifth time since it first premiered at the Opera House in 2020. Making its home in the Theatre Royal for the third time, SIX brings a new cast to a show that has become one of the most loved modern musicals, and giving rise to the phenomena of the Queendom, the show’s international legion of devoted fans.
With its skilled ensemble cast, the story of SIX can be briefly summed up in the nursery rhyme “Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived” – as it allows each wife to tell their own story and that collectively as women in this historical tale of a male tyrant, Henry VIII, discarding six marriages within a 34-year period.
SIX opens madly ala Spice Girls in a reality TV show singing contest, with the Queens trying to outdo each other vocally for sympathy, before finally realising that they are conforming to a patriarchy and that their strength lies in their mutual support.
Initially, the six Queens tell their own stories, starting with Catherine of Aragon (Sarah Murr), who was banished to a nunnery when Henry began to pursue the 30 plus year-old Anne Boleyn (Mia Paris Scalise).
After the discovery of Boleyn’s past and possible current affairs, and a schism with the Holy Roman Empire, Henry connives to be rid of her via the headsman. Next up is Jane Seymour (Cara Bessey), who died from the ordeal of giving birth to the future King Edward VI.
On seeing a portrait of the German Anne of Cleves (Kadesa Honeyhill), Henry did the Tudor equivalent of a mail order bride, and summoned her to London for the wedding. Less than six months later the marriage was annulled on the grounds that she did not look anything like her ‘profile picture’ and that he been conned.
Moving onto Katherine Howard (Angela Brischetto) Henry accuses the 18-year-old with past affairs and has her dispatched by the axe. Finally, towards the end of his ulcerous life, Henry has one more spin of the marriage wheel and marries Catherine Parr (Lorinda May Merrypor) in 1543, with her outliving him by 18 months.
Musically, SIX is a pretty much a musical on two notes, fast and slow, with little to distinguish the tunes for one another, except for Seymour’s Heart of Stone, which the show’s writers of book, music and lyrics, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, admit were modelled on the music of Adele, Sia and Celine Dion.
By the time that the Queens unite for finale with SIX and MegaSIX, the audience is in raptures, and on their feet. SIX is unashamed in that it draws from modern popular musical trends, and the audience accepts this as it applauds each Queens’ offerings, and this is also where the Queendom come into their own by showing their enthusiasm.
This Australian production is from the watchful eye of associate director Sharon Millerchip, no musical theatre slouch herself, with stunning and precise dance numbers under the supervision of associate choreographer Cristina D’Agostino.
All of the stunning numbers are driven by the onstage band of Heidi Maguire (keys), Katherine Stammers (drums), Danielle Colligan (guitar), Matilda Yang (bass), with musical direction from Claire Healy. A special mention should be made for the music programming by Phij Adams.
SIX the Musical is swift, sharp and to the point in its feminist framing of a shameful period in our history, but it is one that is told with humour, banging musical numbers and great dance moves that will have you on your feet before the end.
SIX the Musical
Theatre Royal Sydney, 108 King Street, Sydney
Performance: Wednesday 14 October 2026
Season continues to Sunday 20 December 2026
Bookings: www.theatreroyalsydney.com
Following the Sydney season, SIX the Musical will play QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre in Brisbane from 2 January 2027. For more information, visit: www.sixthemusical.com.au for details.
Images: The Company of SIX the Musical – photos by James D. Morgan (Getty Images)
Review: John Moyle