Six the Musical brings the six wives of Henry VIII live and in person to the National Theatre. While most are familiar with the sad fate of these six women few really know their stories.
As a refresher, Henry divorced two wives, beheaded two others, one died shortly after giving birth to Henry’s only male heir and the final wife managed to survive until Henry himself passed away.
Henty VIII’s many marriages led to a split with the Vatican and the line of Royal succession was thrown into disarray.
It’s no surprise that Henry’s VII’s six wives have been the subject of many books and documentaries.
About the Show
Six the Musical manages to take Tudor history and turn the fate of these women who were “Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived,” into a can’t miss rock show.
Six reimagines the wives of Henry VIII as pop stars. Each sings their own unforgettable song and there are a few numbers the Queens sing together.
It was hard to stop myself from dancing in my seat and singing along.
This high-energy show is all about girl power with an all-female cast and band. It’s a great choice for a mother/daughter outing, a Mom’s night out or a date night.
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Our Review of Six the Musical
Because there are some racy references to the love lives of the six wives this probably isn’t appropriate for younger children, although in my opinion it’s fine for two tweens and teens.
There are no obscene words. Six the Musical is shorter than most Broadway shows.
This makes it a good choice to introduce children to the magic of live musical theatre and a good choice for anyone who isn’t sure their child could make it through a show lasting more than two hours.
Even if you know nothing about Henry VII or the English Renaissance you will still enjoy Six, which has the look and feel of the most modern rock concert.
You are certain to leave singing the words of the six queens over and over again.
Show Timings
Six The Musical runs through September 5th. Some shows will sell out so we recommend booking tickets now to ensure you get the date, time and seats that you want.
The show timings vary for different days of the week and can be checked here.
Good to Know
- Running time is approximately 80 minutes without an intermission
- Snacks and drinks (including soda and mocktails) are available on-site
- The National Theatre requires masks
- Ticket prices vary but start at $65.00.
- I will note that while sitting in the orchestra is the best view, I’ve also sat on the balcony and was able to see everything so there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.
- Although some like being surprised, we recommend listening to the soundtrack a few times before seeing the show.
- Being familiar with the songs ahead of time helped my children and me follow along with the story more easily.
- I shared some about the history of the wives of Henry VII with my children before the show and I think this helped give them context.
Getting There
The National Theatre is located in downtown Washington, DC, along Pennsylvania Avenue and overlooking Freedom Plaza. The address is 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004.
Parking
We recommend taking metro or parking in a garage. Use the Spothero app to find a discounted space near The National.
There are also parking garages and valet parking available within walking distance of the venue, however, their availability is not guaranteed.
