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Six the Musical Live!

Picture

Six the Musical Live!

The six wives of Henry VIII go pop and battle it out through song to see who had the hardest life. The hit musical was filmed live in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre in 2022. ​
Where to watch
Cinema (UK and Ireland only, further release dates TBA). Visit Six for local listings. 
theatrical history
Edinburgh Fringe
Writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss met at Cambridge University where they were studying English and History respectively, and both were highly active in the student theatre scene.

In 2016, Marlow was selected to write an original musical for the Cambridge University Musical Theater Society to take to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Inspired by Antonia Fraser’s The Wives of Henry VIII, Marlow decided to re-tell the story the six wives as if they were pop stars and invited Lucy Moss to collaborate with him. 

The music and characterization of each queen was inspired by various female pop icons including Beyoncé, jLo, Miley Cyrus, Adele, Britney Spears, and Alicia Keys.

Under the title Six: Divorced, Beheaded, Live!, the musical debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in the summer of 2017. The Ed Fringe run was directed by Jamie Armitage, with musical direction by Joe Beighton, costume design by Agnes Cameron, lighting design by Rebecca Fry, set design by Jack Parham, sound design by Alan Egan, and choreography by Lucy Moss. 

The Ed Fringe cast included Megan Gilbert (Catherine of Aragon), Ash Weir (Ann Boleyn), Shimali de Silva (Catherine Parr), Tilda Wickham (Anna of Cleves), Annabel Marlow (Katherine Howard), and Holly Musgrave (Jane Seymour). The band, known as the Ladies in Waiting, included Joe Beighton (Keyboard 1), Stephen Gabe (Keyboard 2), Sam Kirby (Keyboard 3 and Tenor Sax), Andy Davies (Bass), Elspeth Collard (Drums), and Alexander Day (Guitar). 

The Ed Fringe run quickly sold out, and capacity in the Sweet Grassmarket room at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel was raised from 80 to 115 seats. 

Critics praised the show’s contemporary sound, the excellent music and lyrics, Agnes Cameron’s costume design, and the performances of Megan Gilbert, and Ash Weir. 

Writing for Fringe Review, Tim Wilcox extolled Six as a “superb piece of musical theatre,” and “a “must see” show of outstanding quality.” Wilcox praised the “Witty, tightly written lyrics,” the high quality of the music, and its “exquisite harmonies.”

In a review for the Cherwell Archive, Emily Beswick noted the buzz around the production, and praised Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow’s “sparkling, witty lyrics,” Beswick stated the musical was “was the best hour of comedy I saw all Fringe.”

Six was shortlisted by Musical Theatre Review for best musical, and the show attracted the attention of West End and international producers including Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Richard Ambrose, Wendy Barnes, and Andy Barnes, and West End composer George Stiles (Peter Pan and Wind in the Willows). 

Following the Edinburgh Fringe run, the show was performed at Cambridge University. 

London Showcase and Studio Recording
As a result of the Edinburgh Fringe and Cambridge runs, George Stiles, Kenny Wax, Wendy Barnes, and Andy Barnes, combined forces to produce a 4-night showcase in London. 

Prior to the showcase, Marlow and Moss recorded a studio album of the show. The studio cast recording featured Genesis Lynda (Anna of Cleves), Christina Modestou (Anne Boleyn), Izuka Hoyle (Catherine Parr), Renée Lamb (Catherine of Aragon), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), and Aimee Atkinson (Katherine Howard). 

By April 2019, the album had accrued over 2 million streams. In February 2020, the album hit 100 million streams – reportedly second only to Hamilton as the most streamed musical theatre album in the world. 

The London showcase played four nights between December 18, 2017 and until January 22, 2018 at the Arts Theatre. Writing for The Guardian, Lyn Gardner stated the show was “…a nice idea, neatly done,” and concluded “It may be cloaked in silliness, but Six makes some serious points about female victimhood and survival.”

UK Tour
In June 2018, Six commenced a tour of the United Kingdom, and Lucy Moss became the co-director alongside Jamie Armitage. The cast included Jarnéia Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon), Millie O'Connell (Ann Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Alexia McIntosh (Anna of Cleves), Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Catherine Parr), and Grace Mouat (swing).

In the summer of 2018, Six returned to the Edinburgh Fringe, playing a sold out run at the Underbelly. 

West End
Six officially opened in the West End at the Arts Theatre on January 17, 2019. The run had been announced as a 16 week engagement, however was extended into 2020 even before opening night. The cast included all the actors who had launched the UK tour. 

The West End run was intermittently interrupted by the global pandemic, before re-opening at the Lyric Theatre on May 21, 2021.

Six ran at the Lyric Theatre until August 22, 2021. A month later, the musical re-opened at the Vaudeville Theatre on September 29, 2021.

Norwegian Cruise Line
In August 2019, it was announced that Six would play on three Norwegian Cruise Line ships including Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway and Getaway. 

US Premier and Broadway
Six received its American premier at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on May 22, 2019. The cast included  Adrianna Hicks (Catherine of Aragon), Andrea Macasaet (Anne Boleyn), Brittney Mack (Anna of Cleves), Abby Mueller (Jane Seymour), Samantha Pauly (Katherine Howard), and Anna Uzele (Catherine Parr). 

Six commenced Broadway previews at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 13, 2020 with the Chicago cast reprising their roles. 

The musical was scheduled to officially open on March 12, 2020, however the opening was postponed due to the global pandemic and ensuing Broadway shutdown. 

Following the re-opening of Broadway in the fall of 2021, Six officially opened on Broadway on October 3, 2021. 

In June 2022, the Brooks Atkinson Theatre was renamed to the Lena Horne Theatre, making it the first Broadway theatre to be named after a Black woman. 

A national US tour commenced in March 2022, and the second national tour was launched in September 2022. 

Australia and New Zealand
Six has twice toured Australia, first opening in Sydney at the Sydney Opera House on January 4, 2020. After a pause due to the COVID pandemic, the tour re-opened on December 19, 2021 and was performed in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth. The second tour launched in late November 2023. 

Six premiered in New Zealand in February 2025 as part of the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival. 

Current Productions
Six continues to play in the West End, on Broadway, regionally in the UK and United States, Australia, Spain, and China. Visit sixthemusical.com for tickets and more information. Non-replica productions have also recently played in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Croatia.  
Film history
Six was filmed live in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre in June and July 2022. The production featured the six original Queens who had performed at Underbelly in Edinburgh and in the original West End run, including Jarnéia Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon), Millie O'Connell (Ann Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Alexia McIntosh (Anna of Cleves), Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Catherine Parr), and Grace Mouat (swing). 

Prior to returning to the West End for filming, the original cast reunited at Hampton Court Palace for a special 3-night engagement – SIX Live at Hampton Court Palace. The engagement marked the first time Six was performed outdoors, and played to an audience of 3000 people per night. 

Universal Pictures Content Group released the musical under the title Six: The Musical Live! in 700 cinemas across the UK on April 6, 2025. The screenings included a short documentary which featured behind the scenes footage, interviews, and clips from the Hampton Court Palace production. 

As stated in a podcast interview for WhatsOnStage, Marlow and Moss were very involved with, and enjoyed, the process of editing the film, and making it “the way [they] wanted it to be.” 

Due to popular demand, further screening dates were added, and the musical will continue to screen into May. Universal has previously released Billy Elliot, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables: The Staged Concert, and Miss Saigon. 

Unusually, the cinema release was listed on the official Six musical website alongside information about in-person performances. 
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Screenshot of the official Six website
The release of Six: The Musical Live! broke several records, including the number of screens for an event cinema release (previously held by Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour), and the highest opening day figure for a musical. Six also had the third highest single day gross for an event cinema title. Two weeks into its release, Six was the third highest grossing film generally in the UK and Ireland, behind Minecraft and The Amateur. 

The film received rave reviews, with critics praising the quality of the capture, and the excellent performances of the cast. 

In the WhatsOnStage podcast, editor and reviewer Sarah Compton noted the capture has “The immediacy of a concert and the gloss of a film… It has been preserved at such high quality.”

In a glowing review for WhatsOnStage, Alex Wood praised film director Liz Clare for her “playful” and "excellent" camera choices, and noted the six cast members gave portrayals that “feel lived in and familiar, like watching an old friend thriving in front of a crowd.” Wood concluded that “the regally refined film stands proud,” and “is a poised and unruffled tribute to one of the best British musical tributes of the century.” 

Writing for Musical Theatre Review, Rebecca Sinclair gave the capture five stars and stated “While you’re not actually in the room for this live gig, the film does its best to make you feel like you’re not missing out.” Sinclair noted the use of archival footage throughout, which she felt had the effect of “making it clear how much Six means to so many people – fans and creatives alike.” Sinclair also praised the cast, stating they “deliver flawless vocal performances and their visible enjoyment in performing these roles is infectious.” 

In a more muted review for BroadwayWorld, Kat Mokrynski stated “The filmed performance itself is everything you would expect from SIX the Musical - glitz, glamour and gorgeous vocals.” Mokrynski was less enthusiastic about the frequent cuts, which caused continuity issues, and the momentary use of different camera techniques for each queen – “Bits like these are quite fun but…I would have much rather they used them more often or not used them at all.”  

Six: The Musical Live! is currently playing in cinemas across the UK. International release dates have yet to be announced. 
cast & creative credits
Theatre: Vaudeville Theatre, London
Producer: Andy Barnes, Wendy Barnes, Dione Orrom, George Stiles, Kenny Wax
Book, Music, & Lyrics: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss 
Director: Jamie Armitage and Lucy Moss    Film: Liz Clare
Musical Director: Lauren Hopkinson
Orchestrations: Tom Curran
Choreography: Carrie-Anne Ingrouille
Scenic Design: Emma Bailey 
Costume Design: Gabriella Slade 
Lighting Design: Tim Deiling
Sound Design: Paul Gatehouse

Cast:
​
Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard), Alexia McIntosh (Anna of Cleves), Millie O’Connell (Anne Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Catherine Parr), Jarneia Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon)
​
awards & nominations
West End Production
2019 Olivier Awards
Nominations 
  • Best Musical
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (The Queens” - Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Millie O’Connell, Natalie Paris, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Jarneia Richard-Noel)
  • Best Theatre Choreographer (Carrie-Anne Ingrouille)
  • Best Costume Design (Gabriella Slade)
  • Outstanding Achievement in Music (Original score, orchestrations and vocal arrangements: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss, Tom Curran and Joe Beighton)

Broadway Production 
2022 Tony Awards
Nominations 
  • Best Musical
  • Best Choreography (Carrie-Anne Ingrouille)
  • Best Direction of a Musical (Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage) 
  • Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tim Delling) 
  • Best Sound Design of a Musical (Tim Deiling) 
Wins
  • Best Original Score (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss) 
  • Best Costume Design of a Musical (Gabriella Slade) 

2022 Drama Desk Awards 
Nominations 
  • Outstanding Musical
  • Outstanding Book of a Musical (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss) 
  • Outstanding Choreography (Carrie-Anne Ingrouille)
  • Outstanding Orchestrations (Tom Curran) 
  • Outstanding Sound Design for a Musical (Paul Gatehouse) 
  • Outstanding Scenic Design for a Musical (Emma Bailey) 
  • Outstanding Director of a Musical (Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage) 
Wins 
  • Outstanding Lyrics (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss) 
  • Outstanding Music (Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss) 
  • Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical (Gabriella Slade) 
  • Outstanding Ensemble (Adrianna Hicks, Andrea Macasaet, Abby Mueller, Brittney Mack Samantha Pauly, and Anna Uzele) 

2023 Theatre World Awards 
Wins
  • Special Award (Marilyn Caserta - for Outstanding Swing) ​
research sources
Articles
  • Claudia Aguirre, “"SIX" Opens on Broadway, Currently Playing on Select Norwegian Ships,” Norwegian Cruise Line (March 4, 2020)
  • Aimee Atkinson, “SIX The Musical star Aimie Atkinson: 'Henry VIII's wives had issues that women are still dealing with'” The Big Issue (April 5, 2025)
  • Emily Beswick, “‘SiX’ at the Fringe review – “the best hour of comedy I saw all week”,” Cherwell Archive (Sept 9, 2017) 
  • Box Office Staff, “Les Misérables: The Staged Concert Sets Event Cinema Records for UK & Ireland Box Office,” Box Office Pro (Dec 3, 2019) 
  • Sarah Crompton, “With SIX, Playwrights Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow Dramatize the Tudor Dynasty—One Power Ballad at a Time,” Vogue (Jan 16, 2020)
  • Lyn Gardner, “Six review – Henry VIII's wives form girl band to take a pop at history,” The Guardian (Jan 10, 2018)
  • Tanyel Gumushan, “Six cinema release breaks records and adds extra screenings,” WhatsOnStage (April 11, 2025)
  • Jackson McHenry, “Henry VIII’s Discarded Queens Get Their Revenge in Broadway’s Six,” Vulture (March 4, 2020) 
  • Kat Mokrynski, “Film Review: SIX THE MUSICAL LIVE!” BroadwayWorld (April 4, 2025) 
  • John Nathan, “Hit musical Six creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss talk making Henry VIII's wives into pop stars,” The Standard (April 1, 2019)
  • Tom Patrick, “Divorced, beheaded, LIVE: SiX the Musical,” Varsity (Oct 6, 2017) 
  • Michael Paulson, “The Making of ‘Six’: How Tudor Queens Turned Into Pop Stars,” New York Times (Feb 27, 2020) 
  • Leah Putnam, “Original West End Queens of Six to Reunite at Hampton Court Palace,” Playbill (March 18, 2022) 
  • Harriet Ruggiano, “Film Review: Six the Musical Live!,” Everything Theatre (April 3, 2025)
  • Zachary Schermele, “History made on Broadway with plans to rename theater after Lena Horne,” NBC News (June 10, 2022) 
  • Rebecca Sinclair, “Movie Review: SIX The Musical Live!” Musical Theatre Review (April 6, 2025)
  • Meilan Solly, “The True History Behind ‘Six,’ the Tudor Musical About Henry VIII’s Wives,” Smithsonian Magazine (Oct 1, 2021)
  • Press Release, “Norwegian Cruise Line Enhances Award-Winning Entertainment Program with Six: The Musical,” Norwegian Cruise Line (Aug 6, 2019) 
  • Uncredited, “Songs From SIX hit 100,000,000 Streams,” Theatre Weekly (Feb 21, 2020)
  • Uncredited, “SIX The Musical confirmed for New Zealand in February 2025,” Auckland Unlimited (September 11, 2024) 
  • Tim Wilcox, “SiX,” Fringe Review (Aug 15, 2017) 
  • Alex Wood, “Six to be shown in cinemas,” WhatsOnStage (Jan 13, 2025) 
  • Alex Wood, “Six in cinemas review – the Queens are on the big screen, but are they still one of a kind?” WhatsOnStage (April 3, 2025)

Websites
  • ANR PR, “SIX THE MUSICAL LIVE! MAKES HERS-TORY ON OPENING WEEKEND,” Accessed via: https://www.anrpr.co.uk/post/six-the-musical-live-makes-hers-tory-on-opening-weekend 
  • Camdram, “SiX at the Fringe,” Accessed via: https://www.camdram.net/shows/2017-six-at-the-fringe 
  • Discogs, “Toby Marlow And  Lucy Moss – Six: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording),” Accessed via: https://www.discogs.com/release/22473103-Toby-Marlow-and-Lucy-Moss-Six-The-Musical-Studio-Cast-Recording 
  • Film Distributors Association, “UK and Ireland Current Top 15,” Accessed via: https://filmdistributorsassociation.com/the-industry/databank/uk-and-ireland-current-top-15/ 
  • IMDb, “Six: The Musical Live!,” Accessed via: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35391146/?ref_=mv_close 
  • Six, “Home,” Accessed via: https://sixthemusical.com/ 
  • IBDb, “Six: The Musical,” Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/six-the-musical-523485 
  • The Movie Database, “Six: The Musical Live!” Accessed via: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1417019-six-the-musical-live/cast 
  • Official London Theatre, “Olivier Awards 2019 winners & nominees,” Accessed via: https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/2019/ 
  • Six Fandom, “Six the Musical Live!,” Accessed via: https://sixthemusical.fandom.com/wiki/Six_the_Musical_Live! 
  • Six Fandom, “West End Production,” Accessed via: https://sixthemusical.fandom.com/wiki/West_End_Production 
  • Six Fandom, “Non-Replica Productions,” Accessed via: https://sixthemusical.fandom.com/wiki/Non-Replica_Productions#Krak%C3%B3w_Production 
  • Trafalgar Releasing, “About Us,” Accessed via: https://trafalgar-releasing.com/about-us/ 
  • Universal Pictures, “Six The Musical Live!,” Accessed via: https://www.universalpictures.co.uk/micro/six-the-musical-live/preview/show 

Other 
  • Sarah Crompton, Alex Wood, “Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss talk Six landing on the big screen – and how it feels returning to the show in 2025,” WhatsOnStage Podcast, (April 4, 2025) ​
Written by Luisa Lyons (May 2025)
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