Six at the Lowry

For Christmas last year friends treated us to tickets for Six at the Lowry Theatre. It seemed such a long way in the future back in December, but last week the day arrived!

We have seen the show before but absolutely loved it, so it was a pleasure to watch it again. 

I had forgotten how brilliant and funny the show is. It's a pop concert-style musical where Henry VIII's six wives each get a chance to tell their stories, competing to be the lead singer of their newly formed all-female pop group. Initially, they try to outdo each other, highlighting who suffered the most from their relationship with the King, but eventually, they realize they can rewrite their narratives and celebrate themselves as individuals, ultimately forming a girl group and performing together.  

As well as wonderful music, dancing, acting and extremely funny lyrics, the show does make a serious point. Why are these six women only remembered because of their husband? What about their achievemnents in their own right? 

The conclusion of the show is positive and uplifting. Led by Catherine Parr, the wife who survived and wasn't divorced, dead or beheaded, they decide that they are stronger together. I did enjoy the part of the show where they ask the audience to name the wives of previous Kings: Henry VII, Henry VI, Edward IV, Richard III and so on. It's such an important point. Would Henry VIII be so memorable without his wives, and would his wives be so memorable, if there hadn't been six of them?

We thoroughly enjoyed Six. An uplifting end to a tiring week.