REVIEW - SIX THE MUSICAL | PALACE THEATRE MANCHESER | 14/01/2026

All Hail the Queens! SIX The Musical in Manchester Takes the Crown

From its Fringe Festival origins to becoming a global theatre phenomenon, SIX The Musical has completely redefined what a modern musical can be. Created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, this pop-powered retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII has conquered the West End, Broadway and touring stages across the UK — and its arrival at the Palace Theatre Manchester is a reminder of just how sharp, slick and exhilarating this production remains.

Running at around 80 minutes with no interval, SIX delivers a high-impact experience that feels more like a sell-out arena concert than a traditional musical — fast, fearless and packed with attitude.

The six wives of Henry VIII step out from the shadows of history and onto centre stage to reclaim their narratives. Framed as a competition to decide who “had it worst,” each queen tells her story through a bold musical number rooted in her own experiences.

What begins as playful rivalry soon evolves into something far more powerful. As the show progresses, SIX cleverly dismantles the idea of competition altogether, replacing it with unity, sisterhood and empowerment. It’s a smart, modern approach to storytelling — entertaining, emotionally resonant and refreshingly unapologetic.

Visually, SIX remains as striking as ever. Emma Bailey’s set places the all-female Ladies-in-Waiting band on a raised platform, reinforcing the concert-style format and keeping live music firmly at the heart of the production.

Tim Deiling’s lighting design transforms the stage into a vibrant pop arena, with bold colours and dramatic shifts that elevate every solo into a headline moment.

The instantly recognisable costumes by Gabriella Slade are a standout feature — Tudor-inspired silhouettes fused with modern pop-star glamour. Each queen’s look reflects her personality while maintaining a cohesive, high-impact aesthetic.

Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s choreography is punchy, precise and full of attitude, perfectly matched to the rhythm and style of the score. Musically, the show continues to thrill, with the songs performed live by the onstage band and orchestrated by Tom Curran. With sound design by Paul Gatehouse, the show’s concert-style mix is clear and well-balanced, ensuring the music and vocals are heard cleanly throughout, reinforcing the feeling that this is as much a pop gig as it is a piece of musical theatre.

This cast delivers outstanding performances across the board.

LaSasha Aldredge opens the show with authority as Catherine of Aragon, setting the tone with commanding vocals and a strong stage presence. Abi Atchison (alternate) brings playful confidence and sharp comic timing to Anne Boleyn, keeping the humour light and effortless.

Emily Dawson’s Jane Seymour provides one of the emotional highlights of the evening, her Heart of Stone delivered with control, sincerity and real emotional weight. Jodie Knight is a crowd favourite as Anna of Cleves, bursting with charisma, humour and swagger in Get Down.

Sammy Timbers gives a layered and affecting performance as Katherine Howard, navigating the emotional shifts of All You Wanna Do with sensitivity and strength. Layla Chivandire closes the show beautifully as Catherine Parr, grounding the production with warmth, maturity and rich vocals that bring genuine heart to the finale.

Together, the cast’s chemistry is electric, supported by impressively tight harmonies and the ever-excellent Ladies-in-Waiting band.

SIX The Musical at the Palace Theatre Manchester remains an absolute triumph — fast, funny, empowering and endlessly rewatchable. With consistently high production values, a killer soundtrack and a cast that fully understands both the humour and heart of the show, it continues to stand out as one of the strongest modern musicals touring the UK.

Years on from first seeing SIX, it still feels fresh, exciting and completely relevant. Whether you’re a seasoned theatre fan or someone who thinks history was never for you, this is a show that proves these queens don’t need a king — they rule entirely on their own.

Six queens. One crown. And not a single weak note

SIX The Musical is at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday 18th January 2026, tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.

Click Me

If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.

Click Me

Photo Credit - ?