If you’re looking for the ultimate girls’ night out in Newcastle, then you need to catch SIX the Musical.
The genre-bending show, now playing at the Civic Theatre, is more than just a retelling of history – it’s a full-blown celebration of girl power. Part pop concert, part musical theatre and hilarious cabaret, this show lives up to all the hype you’re seeing online.
The premise is simple but clever: Henry VIII’s six wives hit the stage to compete for the crown, not of England, but for who had the roughest time as the King’s wife. It’s history, but remixed, with each queen taking the mic to share her side of the story through bangers that wouldn’t be out of place on the Billboard pop charts.
Written by Cambridge University students Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX draws clear inspiration from Hamilton with its revisionist take and genre-blending soundtrack. The score is packed with hip-hop beats, pop hooks, and big ballads that keep the 80-minute, no-intermission show flying.
Each of the queens is played by a true triple threat, taking turns to command the stage and win over the audience. Deirdre Khoo‘s Anne Boleyn is razor-sharp and provides plenty of laughs, but it’s Loren Hunter’s powerhouse performance of the song Heart of Stone as Jane Seymour that brings the house down. Her vocal performance is next level and worth the price of entry alone.
Behind the queens is an all-female band, the Ladies in Waiting, who are a major part of the spectacle, trading moments with the cast and adding punch to every track. Special shout-out to Danielle Colligan, who absolutely shreds on lead guitar.
Visually, the show is electric with glittering costumes, slick choreography, and concert-style lighting, making it feel like the Spice Girls have landed in Newy. But it’s not just style—there’s plenty of substance here too. The show taps into themes of identity, empowerment, and sisterhood without ever slowing down the fun.
Opening night at the Civic Theatre had the vibe of a party. Groups of friends were dancing in their seats, nodding in agreement with the queens and generally whooping it up. SIX knows its audience—and delivers exactly what they came for. It’s loud, proud, and one hell of a night out.
SIX the Musical is playing at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre until 4 May. You can find out more by visiting sixthemusical.com.au.
