‘Six’

Eden Court Theatre Inverness 6/10/26

Written by Liz Kerr

The EMR is grateful to Liz Kerr for stepping in to review this production while our regular critic Mary-Ann Connolly is recovering from an operation.

'Six' returns to full houses at Eden Court this week, after a successful tour last year. This award- winning musical, first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII. Each takes her turn in a concert-style performance, to try and win the debate on who had it hardest being married to Henry. Each of the Queens tells her own story through a solo number, supported by the Ladies in Waiting (4 musicians on stage) and the other Queens.

Catherine of Aragon, played by Sedona Sky starts with an heroic effort to win our hearts. Eve Parsons then cheekily fights back as an engaging Anne Boleyn with attitude. Jane Seymour, played by Billie Kerr, is a highlight with the ballad 'Heart of Stone'.

Electronica-inspired Haus of Holbein gives a hint at the difficulties of being an unmarried woman on the marriage market in Tudor times, before Anne of Cleeves brings her attempt to win the votes with a hip-hop turn. Poor Katherine Howard (Lea Desjaques) has an up-beat pop track to explain her plight before we hear from Catherine Parr (Amena El-Kindy) in an empowering soul solo. The Queens then come together for the finale, 'Six.'

This is a strong ensemble show, that needs all the Queens to pull their weight to work. They sing of the difficulties of relationships, love, children, of being a woman in particularly difficult times, of oppression, being treated with a lack of regard and as pawns in a political landscape rather than intelligent, vibrant women. These themes feel as relevant now as ever. We're given a different perspective to the figures we know from history lessons, not ‘just’ Henry’s wives.

The music is modern, vibrant and empowering, the performances assured, powerful and fun. The show, is a feast from start to finish. The award winning costume design and simple set leave the show to stun through its performers and music. It's a full 80minutes of high energy brilliance and entertainment – the modern musical at its best!