Playing at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre until October 4, Sydney’s Theatre Royal from October 9 to December and Brisbane’s Playhouse, QPAC from January 2-31, 2027.
More information and tickets via sixthemusical.com.au
Prepare yourselves, as the queens are back with a vengeance. Following on from three previous stagings of this megahit musical in Australia (in 2020, 2021-23 and 2024-25), this outstanding production is back with an all-new cast but the same toe-tapping soundtrack and killer attitude.
From the outset, this is as high energy a show as I’ve ever seen, with dazzling lighting and glitzy costuming bringing to life this unconventional, biographical show, told from the point of view of Henry VIII’s six wives, who are not shy in addressing the audience directly as they tell the (mostly tragic) stories of their lives and seek to reclaim their place in history through song, to see which of them truly suffered the worst fate after marrying the king.
The cast assembled for this latest tour is astounding.
Sarah Murr is a fierce and funny Catherine of Aragon. Mia Paris Scalise plays Anne Boleyn with an acerbic, razor-sharp wit. Cara Bessey is soulful, tragic but also occasionally hilarious as Jane Seymour and Kadesa Honeyhill makes for a powerful Anna of Cleves. Angela Brischetto has no trouble making us feel the pain and suffering her Katherine Howard went through, and last but not least, Lorinda May Merrypor emerges from the background to deliver a powerhouse performance as Catherine Parr.
Backed by a phenomenally talented four-piece band, dubbed “The Ladies in Waiting”, it’s impossible to describe just how much sensory overload SIX the Musical is. With its expert lighting, tight choreography and perfect chemistry between the cast, this is one of the most impressive live shows I’ve seen in a long time.
It definitely feels like more of a rock concert than a traditional musical but I think that is the reason the show has resonated with so many people, and if the rapturous applause during the show’s Melbourne opening night is any indicator, this current run is going to be a huge crowd pleaser as well.
All of the leads are flawless, but I was particularly impressed by Murr and Brischetto. Murr, who was wonderful last year in productions such as Hadestown and Tarzan, is also impressive here, proving she is one of the best voices in the business and one of the most accomplished stage performers in the country right now.
Brischetto also wowed me with her dynamic performance as Katherine, bringing a welcome energy to the latter stages of the show after a more low-key and contemplative middle section.
After a star-making performance in & Juliet, it’s great to see Merrypor in another major production, and she has lots of great moments as Catherine, with her solo number leading into a rousing finale, as the climactic number (The Megasix) perfectly brings all of the show’s themes and musical stylings together in one amazing number.
While the finale is great, equally incredible is the opening number sung by all of the queens (Ex-Wives), but there are so many musical highlights in Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ wonderful song score, especially Katherine’s All You Wanna Do and Anne’s Don’t Lose Ur Head.
But the entire score is a delight and sung to the hilt by the exemplary cast, and in contrast to the combative antics of the Queens on stage, you get the sense that the cast are working so well together as a cohesive whole, which in turn makes everyone on stage look amazing.
The contribution of the Ladies in Waiting cannot be undersold as well, as they must work in perfect sync with the actors and hit their musical marks just as the cast does, and their timing was absolutely impeccable. The show’s thumping sound design meant that sounds of the guitars, keyboard and drums boomed through the theatre all the way through.
SIX the Musical has already become a staple of the musical theatre scene for a reason, as it’s a crowd-pleasing classic that demands to be seen more than once. In an era where shows sadly are ending runs early and cancelling tours to other cities, SIX the Musical seems immune from such a fate, and I have no doubt this current tour (which is scheduled to head to Sydney and Brisbane after Melbourne) will be as successful as the show’s previous runs.
With a vibrant new cast bringing new life to the show, my first viewing of SIX the Musical left me awestruck at the talent on stage and the lasting impact the show has on its audience. A theatrical experience unlike any other, this SIX is a 10/10.
5/5 STARS
You can read our 2024 and 2022 reviews here and here.
/ West End video shared
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 