REVIEW - SIX THE MUSICAL | LYCEUM THEATRE, SHEFFIELD | 27/07/2024

From fringe roots to global phenomenon, SIX the Musical has rewritten the rule book for what a hit musical looks and sounds like. Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s modern retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII is a lean, eighty-minute, pop-powered blast that fuses concert energy with razor-sharp wit. With productions dominating stages from the West End to Broadway, and now storming into Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre, SIX proves once again why it continues to reign supreme in the hearts of theatre fans young and old.

History class gets a thrilling remix in SIX, as the infamous Tudor queens take centre stage to tell their side of the story—on their own terms. But rather than a dusty lecture, this is a full-on showdown: who had it worst under the rule of Henry VIII? The answer unfolds through a fierce and funny competition, each queen belting out her truth in a pop-fuelled confessional. But just when you think it’s about the crown (and the crown alone), the queens find sisterhood in solidarity, flipping the script to tell a story not of rivalry, but of empowerment. It's clever, current, and cuts through the noise like a mic drop.

Emma Bailey’s set is part concert stage, part cathedral—glowing with stained glass-style lights and a raised platform for the all-female band. The lighting design by Tim Deiling is electric, bathing the stage in a kaleidoscope of colour and turning every solo into a stadium-worthy spectacle. Gabriella Slade’s costumes deserve their own crown: Tudor chic meets girlband glam, with glittering bodices, platform boots, and futuristic headpieces that command attention from the stalls to the circle. And the music? From power ballads to dance bangers, the score draws inspiration from chart-topping icons like Beyoncé, Adele and Britney, but every song still feels fresh, theatrical, and utterly SIX.

This touring cast is nothing short of regal. Shakira Simpson slays as Catherine of Aragon, opening the show with fierce vocals and commanding confidence. Laura Dawn Pyatt’s Anne Boleyn brings wicked humour and bratty charm, nailing every comedic beat with glee. Erin Caldwell’s Jane Seymour is heart-meltingly sincere—her rendition of Heart of Stone earned a wave of hushed awe, followed by a thunderous ovation. Kenedy Small is an absolute riot as Anna of Cleves, strutting her way through Get Down with sass and swagger. Lou Henry’s Katherine Howard gives a layered, haunting performance in All You Wanna Do that begins in flirtation and ends in devastating silence. And finally, Aoife Haakenson’s Catherine Parr grounds the show beautifully, delivering I Don’t Need Your Love with soul, strength and grace. Together, they’re a powerhouse—vocally, emotionally, and in their seamless harmonies. Special mention too to the ‘ladies in waiting’ band, who never miss a beat and bring the entire sound to roaring life.

SIX at the Lyceum Theatre Sheffield is an irresistible mix of sparkle, sisterhood and sass. It’s funny, fiery, and filled with female empowerment, backed by a soundtrack that will live rent-free in your head long after the final curtain call. Whether you’re a Tudor history buff or just here for the bops, this is a show that grabs you from the first note and doesn’t let go.

If you would like more information about the show click the button below for the show's official website.

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Photo Credit - Pamela Raith