Theatre Royal Brighton – 9th – 20th September 2025
Six the Musical arrives at Theatre Royal Brighton this week in dazzling form, proving once again why this modern pop concert meets history lesson has become such a phenomenon.
With a talented touring cast, razor-sharp harmonies and a clever mix of humour and heart, the production feels as exciting and modern as ever. What could so easily be a gimmick has cemented itself as one of the most exciting musicals of the past decade.
The concept remains delightfully simple. Henry VIII’s six wives reclaim the narrative and battle it out for the dubious honour of who had the toughest time. The competition unfolds like a stadium gig, with each queen given her own show-stopping number. It is slick, witty and unapologetically loud, though the power of the piece lies in how it shifts from bawdy laughs to emotional gut-punches without missing a beat.
The sold out theatre is buzzing and the crowd are ready to cheer and applaud every performance from the get-go. LaSasha Alredge sets the tone as Catherine of Aragon. Hearing No Way delivered in an American accent feels unexpected at first but it quickly becomes clear that the inflection suits the song’s defiance perfectly. Alredge’s Aragon exudes confidence and bite, ensuring Henry’s first wife leaves a lasting impression.
Yna Montarde follows as Anne Boleyn, and she is nothing short of hilarious, giving a northern twang to Boleyn. Her accent adds warmth and bite, grounding the comedy in something natural rather than forced. The cheeky asides and punchlines land with precision, making Don’t Lose Ur Head sparkle. Montarde may well be one of the most fun Boleyns to date.
If Boleyn brings the laughs, Jane Seymour brings the tears. Emily Dawson delivers the gorgeous ballad Heart of Stone with haunting clarity, creating a moment of genuine stillness amid the frenzy. It is no small feat to make the show’s biggest ballad feel intimate in a packed theatre, but Dawson does just that.
Anna of Cleves is played with infectious energy by Jodie Knight. Get Down has is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and Knight does not disappoint, throwing herself into the performance with plenty of attitude.
Sammy Timbers takes on Katherine Howard in a confident and layered. All You Wanna Do is a deceptively complex song, veering from flirty pop anthem to something much darker, and she navigates that shift with impressive control.
The line-up is completed by Layla Chivandire as Catherine Parr. Surprisingly, this is her professional debut, though her vocals suggest a seasoned performer. Rich and mature in tone, her delivery of I Don’t Need Your Love really soars.
The production itself is as sharp as ever. The choreography remains taut and purposeful and the set is sleek and eye-catching. The decision to use handheld microphones continues to pay off, giving the vocals a punchy immediacy.
What makes Six so enduring is the balance it strikes between education and entertainment. The facts are not always textbook accurate, but they are accurate enough to spark curiosity, all while packaging history in infectious beats and witty lyrics. The show clocks in at around 80 minutes, but there is no sense of being short-changed here. If anything, the short run time ensures it never loses momentum.
Six the musical still feels fresh. At Brighton, the latest cast breathe new life into a show that thrives on reinvention. It is cheeky, moving and unapologetically fun. Without a doubt, these queens own the stage.
Six the Musical review – 5 stars
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