Everyone remembers the rhyme, vital as it was for your GCSE history. Divorced, Beheaded, Died: Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. After you’ve seen SIX, The Musical, you’ll remember it to a sick beat.

It’s put to us late in the show that no one remembers much about Henry the VII (something about Roses) or Henry the VI (was a bit cray) but everyone knows Henry VIII – primarily because of his wives. This musical takes us through their lives (and deaths) with the portly king with various numbers that feel like they come from an elaborate pop concert, complete with eclectic and all-female band members (Ladies in Waiting) framing our Queens. The interactions between all the players are seamless and it’s clear this is as fun for those on stage as well as the lucky audience members.

The Queens are a true ensemble, though true star performers when the light shines on them. The gorgeous Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky kicks things off as Catherine of Aragon, an honourable wife who Henry couldn’t shake off without starting a whole new religion. McCaulsky thrills with her song “No Way“, echoing Beyonce and setting the scene of storytelling through absolute tunes. Cheeky Baylie Carson is next as Anne Boleyn aka Lily Allen, who shifts the tone for “Don’t Lose Ur Head” which was filled with lols despite their timely end. Claudia Kariuki takes a spotlight to cue tears as her rendition of Jane Seymour’s ballad “Heart of Stone” stills the audience. Empowerment was the soup of the day for the next song; Dionne Ward-Anderson relishes her role of Anna of Cleves and so does this reviewer. You go girl. Penultimately we have “All You Wanna Do” which is both hard to watch as we watch young and naive Katherine Howard be taken advantage of throughout the years and hard to look away from as Koko Basigara brings epic Ariana Grande vibes to the song (not just because of the high ponytail). Our final Queen is Catherine Parr (Roxanne Couch) who brings the women back down to earth with her song of lost love (“I Don’t Need Your Love“).

The talent behind this show, writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will have a lot to answer for as audience members argue over their favourite Queen, which one predicts will become a character defining choice, much like everyone’s favourite Beatle, Spice Girl or Friend. Especially as all will have a point. The balance and talent in and around this show is just superb and incredibly fresh whichever element you focus in on. The costumes for example; Gabriella Slade, the designer, does a great job of making them equally regal, cheeky, rock and modern, and achingly unique.

Go. And. See. This. Show. When you can. It’s pretty much sold out for the next few weeks/months – though bookable til October 2023… and this reviewer predicts an extension or five.