Six The Musical Teen Edition

Six: The Musical Teen Edition bursts onto the stage with electrifying energy, reimagining the six wives of Henry VIII as fierce, unapologetic pop icons. From the explosive opening number, Ex-Wives, the queens introduce themselves not as historical footnotes, but as empowered individuals ready to reclaim their narratives. They announce a cheeky competition: each queen will share her story, and whoever had the worst time with Henry will be crowned lead singer of their girl group. What follows is a dazzling sequence of solo numbers, each styled after contemporary pop stars, from Beyoncé to Adele, infusing Tudor history with modern musical flair.

Though this is the Teen Edition, it remains a full-length production, thoughtfully adapted for performance by young actors in schools and youth theatre groups. The modifications are subtle and respectful, ensuring the show retains its boldness, wit, and emotional depth while remaining age appropriate. Like the original, it’s a high-octane, empowering celebration of female voices, giving these historical figures the mic to tell their stories, on their own terms.

This was my first visit to see BE Performing Arts, and I was genuinely impressed by the professionalism and passion radiating from this talented group. What struck me most was their ability to stage two productions within the space of a single week, a feat that demands immense coordination, dedication, and stamina. I wholeheartedly take my hat off to everyone involved: the production team, cast, technicians, parents, carers you truly deserve applause for pulling off such an ambitious undertaking with grace and enthusiasm.

One unique and clever touch in this production was the inclusion of additional performers on stage as “Ladies in Waiting.” This was the first time I’ve seen more than six performers in a Six production, and it added a fresh dynamic to the ensemble numbers. The presence of these supporting characters enriched the visual storytelling, especially in the larger musical moments. That said, and this is purely a personal observation, there were occasions when the Ladies in Waiting unintentionally masked the main singers. At times, the six leads were obscured in both choreography and vocals, which slightly diluted the impact of their individual performances. However, this was a minor issue in an otherwise well-executed concept. The ensemble’s energy, harmonies, and stage presence were consistently confident and engaging throughout.

Catherine of Aragon, played by Lolly Pettigrew, opened the solo sequence with No Way, a defiant anthem of self-worth. Lolly gave a strong performance, asserting Catherine’s refusal to be cast aside. While some diction in the dialogue was occasionally lost, Lolly’s vocal tonality was lovely, and her characterisation remained confident and grounded. With a bit more control on the top notes, she’ll be unstoppable. Anne Boleyn, portrayed by Erin Moran, brought sass, sarcasm, and a cheeky charm to Don’t Lose Ur Head. Erin’s delivery was spot-on clearly the result of thoughtful research and rehearsal. Her ability to command the stage was admirable, and she nailed the comedic timing and vocal nuances that make Anne such a fan favourite. Jane Seymour, played by Mae Hardy, offered a heartfelt and emotionally rich rendition of Heart of Stone. Mae’s performance stood out for its sincerity and vulnerability, providing a poignant contrast to the more rebellious tones of the other queens. Her ability to convey deep emotion through both voice and expression was truly moving.

Anna of Cleves, portrayed by Florence Lomas, celebrated her independence with flair in Get Down. Florence delivered strong characterisation and handled the song’s tricky rhythmic structure with impressive precision. While some vocal clarity was lost in places, her timing was excellent, especially considering how the lyrics often fall off the beat or land unexpectedly. It’s a demanding number, and Florence rose to the challenge. Katherine Howard, played by Cerys Jones, gave a standout performance in All You Wanna Do, a deceptively upbeat song that reveals the darker side of Howard’s story. Cerys demonstrated excellent vocal control and projection, and her characterisation was layered and mature. She navigated the emotional complexity of the song with confidence, capturing both the flirtatious façade and the underlying trauma. It’s a difficult role, and Cerys handled it with grace and depth. Catherine Parr, portrayed by Molly Plante, closed the solo sequence with I Don’t Need Your Love, a reflective and empowering anthem. Molly delivered the number with thoughtful maturity, embodying Parr’s resilience and intellect. Her vocal control was generally strong, though some higher notes could benefit from more support, considering diaphragmatic breathing and exercises will help support with vocal stability in the upper range. Nonetheless, Molly’s ability to maintain timing through tempo changes and act with emotional intelligence made her performance compelling and grounded.

The choreography by Liv Clayton was vibrant and well-suited to the cast’s strengths. It captured the essence of each queen’s personality while maintaining cohesion across the ensemble, although there were some spatial issues, the movement was dynamic and purposeful, enhancing the storytelling without overwhelming the vocals. Lighting design by Archie Cadman-Jones added a professional polish to the production. The use of colour and spotlighting helped differentiate each queen’s solo and created striking visual moments throughout. Transitions were smooth, and the lighting cues were executed with precision. Musical direction by Ian Jones deserves special mention. The vocal arrangements were tight, and the cast’s overall harmonies were well-balanced. Ian’s guidance was evident in the confident musicality of the performers.

Six: Teen Edition by BE Performing Arts was a vibrant, emotionally resonant, and thoroughly entertaining production. It showcased not only the talent of its young performers but also the dedication of the entire creative team. Thank you, BE Performing Arts, for your warm welcome and for delivering a show that was both empowering and unforgettable.

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