THIS high energy show turns history on its head – telling one of the most notorious stories in Britain’s monarchal past from Henry VIII’s wives perspective.

Six starts like a girl band reunion tour with the opening number ‘Ex Wives’ – with all the sparkly costumes, bright lights and glamour you would expect or could ever want.

The show takes ‘Girl Power’ back 500+ years as the audience are ‘tasked’ with choosing the one they think is most worthy of the ‘Queen of the Castle’ title.

What follows is each of the wives outlining their story in song – six very different characters and personalities and six very different genres of music to boot.

The songs range from modern pop, pop rock and an emotional love song to R&B and more. The most catchy being the Kate Nash and Lily Allen-esque ‘Don’t Lose Ur Head’ (Anne Boleyn) featuring modern-day text speak, and the most moving being ‘Heart of Stone’ (Jane Seymour) – you could hear a pin drop.

Other modern references include the comparison between Henry choosing Anna of Cleves from a portrait (after viewing several) to modern day dating apps.

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And, as each wife takes centre stage, the others provide the backing vocals. In between the song, there’s plenty of put downs as each vyes for the crown.

The show has Six very talented singers with great vocal ranges – Catherine of Aragon (Lasasha Aldredge), Anne Boleyn (Lucia Valentino). Jane Seymour (Emily Dawson), Anna of Cleves (Jodie Knight), Katherine Howard (Sammy Timbers) and Catherine Parr (Eve Kitchingman).

Every one brilliant but, epitomising their surmising at the end of the show, together they are formidable.

If you are not one for long TV documentaries or reading in-depth British history accounts, the 80-minute one-act show is also a great way to cram some learning about Henry VIII and his wives. Equally, although it has a 10+ rating for obvious reasons, it is a fantastic way to teach younger viewers about this part of our famous past. Think Spice Girls Horrible Histories style.

In this all-women production, as well as the Six principals, we have the ‘Ladies in Waiting’, including Rosabella Gregory (musical director and keys), Maddy Lygo (assistant musical director), Amanda Dal (drums), Rosie Botterill (guitar) and Jess Williams (bass) – all performed faultlessly throughout.

A quick mention for the programme writers too – usually I just flick through these but the bios on each of the wives provided another opportunity for some much sought-after historical facts. And the show also provides plenty of talking points about the time, the wives and more for the journey home.

Little could these Six wives have known in the 1500s that their stories would be combined and immortalised in this super stage production.

And, as for what Henry VIII would have thought of it….

Given his views on his wives and women’s rights and with him not being included – or even visually featured – writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss would definitely be for the chop. But they should wear that badge with honour.

The unmissable Six the Musical runs at the Wolverhampton Grand until January 31. Click here for times, tickets and more information.

It also runs at the Birmingham Hippodrome from March 31 to April 11. Click here for tickets for that those shows.

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