It was the year 2021 and musical soundtracks dominated social platform TikTok’s “For You Page”. Amongst fan favourites like "Waitress" and "Hamilton”, one musical stood out – "SIX The Musical" (stylised as “SIX”), a modern musical that premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017.
“Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived.” – these iconic words are synonymous with “SIX”. As a musical aficionado who usually favours classics from the pre-21st century, the buzz on TikTok intrigued me. Eventually, the rave reviews led me to explore this contemporary and unique musical phenomenon.
And now, straight from London, the six queens are set to grace Singapore shores as “SIX” begins its run from 14 Nov till 1 Dec at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands.
WHO ARE THE SIX QUEENS?
The Tudor legacy is both eventful and tumultuous – think incest, betrayal and war. But “SIX” narrows it down to one key figure: King Henry VIII, who ruled from 1509 to 1547, and his six marriages. Imagine the drama akin to Brad Pitt’s relationship timeline with Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie, or the Olivia Rodrigo-Joshua Bassett-Sabrina Carpenter love triangle.
King Henry VIII’s marriages served various purposes – political alliances and the quest for a male heir. He chose his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, to preserve alliance and ties with Spain. Despite nearly 24 years, Henry filed for a divorce to find a new partner who could bear him a son. This move led to the formation of the Church of England, marking a major political and cultural reset.
Catherine of Aragon’s maid of honour, Anne Boleyn, became King Henry VIII’s second wife and mother of Elizabeth I. She too failed to produce a male heir to the throne. Anne was also accused of adultery which is considered treason to the King and was beheaded two days after her marriage was annulled. Her legacy lives on through Elizabeth I, one of England’s most revered monarchs.
Anne Boleyn was succeeded by Jane Seymour, who served as maid of honour to the previous two wives. Jane is often considered Henry’s favourite – the wife that King Henry VIII loved the most. And this is largely because she bore him a son, Edward VI. Sadly, this joy did not last long as she died shortly after childbirth.
King Henry VIII’s fourth marriage was to Anne of Cleves to help strengthen German alliances while he navigated the Catholic-Protestant tensions in Europe. The marriage was brief because Henry wasn’t the biggest fan of her lack of English literacy and thought she was unattractive. Despite that, they had a peaceful annulment and Anne of Cleves remained in England as “The King’s Beloved Sister” till her passing.
Catherine Howard, Anne Boleyn’s cousin, became King Henry VIII’s fifth wife. As a young, lively and energetic woman, she was able to win him over with her flirtatious nature. But that also led to her downfall – her past and present affairs resulted in the teenager’s eventual execution for treason.
The final and sixth wife of King Henry VIII, Catherine Parr, acted as a companion and a caregiver. Being married and then widowed twice before, she was wise and independent.
WHAT IS SIX ALL ABOUT?
Understanding the juicy history of the Tudors makes the plot of SIX even more intriguing. The six queens – Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr – return as a pop girl group. Vying for the title of lead singer, each queen presents her case on why they are the most wronged wife with the worst marriage.
Inspired by modern pop icons, writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss crafted each queen’s stage persona to reflect leading ladies in pop.
Catherine of Aragon is inspired by Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson, exuding feminism and strength; while Anne Boleyn is inspired by Avril Lavigne and Lily Allen’s spunky confidence. Jane Seymour evokes Adele and Sia’s mournful tones (to lament her tragic end); and Anne of Cleves celebrates life like Nicki Minaj and Rihanna with hip hop vibes.
Catherine Howard is inspired by Britney Spears and Ariana Grande for their youthful energy; while Catherine Parr embodies the empowering, soulful ballads of Alicia Keys and Emeli Sandé.
This approach adds a modern twist, making history relatable for a contemporary audience in tune with pop culture. Marlow and Moss also provide an alternate reality to the six women whose lives and legacies have always been tied to their marriage rather than their person.
SIX IS UNLIKE A TYPICAL MUSICAL
SIX stands out as a concert-like experience with huge headliners. The lighting and stage design – reminiscent of an indoor Coachella – includes a full band, overhead pyrotechnics and zero props, allowing for intricate popstar choreography. This also means that audiences get to see the more intricate and stunning moves inspired by pop stars. The queens’ costumes, two-piece sets, facilitate movement and draw inspiration from Disney’s colour-coded princesses, reinforcing the pop concert vibe.
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE ‘HISTOREMIX’
The six queens come together to lament about their stories but it was only Catherine Parr who felt fulfilled and knew her purpose – igniting an awakening among the other queens to be their own person. While female empowerment is a popular theme today, the queens’ narrative reminds us of the ongoing struggle for independence and self-identity.
King Henry VIII’s wives had their identities and fates tied to his desires, as he determined their survival, social mobility and status. This dependency was not just a relic of the past; even today, women often bear the mental and emotional burdens of caregiving, frequently prioritising family needs over their own. With the resurgence of traditional roles among Gen Z, it remains challenging for women to transcend societal labels and expectations.
Even the songs share this vulnerability to the audience. For example, “All You Wanna Do” which is sung by Catherine Howard, exposes the societal pressures faced by women, both historically and today. “SIX” empowers us to celebrate our individuality and never stop striving to be our true selves.
Relive history with the queens of “SIX”, and see them outside the shadow of the King.
Image credits: Meilan Solly, Wikimedia Commons and Pamela Raith.
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