The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Musical›Six (musical)
Entertainment • Musical

Six (musical)

Six is a British musical with music, book, and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Six is a British musical with music, book, and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. It presents the six wives of Henry VIII as pop performers in a singing competition that reimagines their stories and perspectives.

Premise

Six follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they perform as a pop group and compete to tell their own stories. The structure turns historical biography into a contemporary concert format.

Creation and authorship

The musical was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, who are credited with the book, music, and lyrics. It began as a student project and was first presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017.

Performance style

The show uses a concert-like format with pop influences and solo numbers for each queen. Its presentation emphasizes modern performance conventions rather than traditional historical drama.

Reception and productions

After its early development, Six moved into professional productions and gained wider recognition in the West End, Broadway, and international productions. It has received major awards, including a Tony Award for Best Original Score.

Key facts

  • The musical is a modern retelling of the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives.
  • It is staged as a pop concert and singing competition.
  • Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss wrote the music, book, and lyrics.
  • The wives compete to determine who suffered most from Henry VIII.
  • The show’s framing device is used to reclaim the women’s individual identities.
🍁
Canadian context

Six has been performed internationally and is familiar to Canadian theatre audiences through touring and commercial productions.

Frequently asked questions

What is Six about?
It is a musical about Henry VIII’s six wives, presented as a pop concert in which they compete to tell their stories.
Who wrote Six?
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss wrote the musical’s book, music, and lyrics.
When did Six first appear?
It was first presented in 2017 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
What historical figures appear in Six?
The six wives of Henry VIII: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.
How is Six structured?
It is staged like a pop competition, with each queen performing songs about her experience and influence.
What is the main theme of Six?
A central theme is reclaiming the wives’ identities and narratives beyond their relationship to Henry VIII.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_(musical)
    Supports: Basic description of the musical, its creators, and its premise.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_(musical)
    Supports: Plain-language summary of the plot and creators.
  3. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_(Musical)
    Supports: Early development at Edinburgh Fringe and later professional productions.
  4. Six on Broadway — https://sixonbroadway.com/about/
    Supports: Official description, awards, and premise.
  5. New York Theatre Guide — https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-six-on-broadway
    Supports: Creators, structure, character list, and production history.
  6. Mirvish — https://www.mirvish.com/de/cache/modules_elements/565/six-2023-study-guide%20FINAL-ua.pdf
    Supports: Educational summary of the premise and staging.