Six the Musical NZ: 2026 Tour, Cast & Tickets Guide

You’ve probably heard the buzz about a pop musical that turns Tudor history into a girl-power concert. Six the Musical made its New Zealand debut in Auckland in March 2025, and fans are already asking about 2026 tour plans.

Global audience reached: 3.5 million ·
Run time: 80 minutes (no interval) ·
Tony Awards won: 2 ·
New Zealand premiere year: 2025 ·
Queens featured: 6

Six the Musical has built a global reputation in just a few years. The table below summarises the key facts at a glance.

The implication: the show’s formula is short, punchy, and exportable — which explains its rapid global spread.

Where is Six the Musical touring in 2026?

The 2026 tour schedule is the most searched question for New Zealand fans. Currently, confirmed dates cover Australia, but New Zealand remains uncertain.

2026 Australian tour dates: Sydney and Brisbane

• The official Australia/New Zealand site confirms the show will return to Melbourne from July 2026, Sydney from October 2026, and Brisbane from January 2027 (SIX the Musical Australia – official site).
• Theatre Royal Sydney’s page says the show returns from 9 October 2026 (Theatre Royal Sydney – official venue).
• Newcastle is also listed as a stop, though exact dates are not yet published.

New Zealand performance schedule for 2026

• As of now, no official New Zealand dates for 2026 have been announced. The Auckland season ran from 27 February through 23 March 2025 at The Civic (Tearaway – NZ student magazine).
• Ticketmaster NZ still lists a dedicated page for Six the Musical, but no future events are posted (Ticketmaster New Zealand).

Will Six come to Wellington or Christchurch in 2026?

• There is no confirmed information about Wellington or Christchurch performances. The 2025 run was Auckland-only.
• Given the show’s popularity, a wider New Zealand tour is possible, but nothing has been announced.

Is Six the Musical queer?

This question has gained traction online, especially among younger audiences. The show’s diverse casting and themes have sparked discussion.

LGBTQ+ themes and representation in Six

• Six is widely regarded as queer-friendly. The musical features a diverse cast and its creators have spoken about inclusive casting practices.
• The show’s fanbase includes a strong LGBTQ+ following, and many fans view the musical as a celebration of female empowerment with queer undertones.
• It is not explicitly labeled as a queer musical by its creators, but it is embraced by the community.

What the creators say about queer identity

• Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, both queer themselves, have said the show is about giving a voice to women who were historically silenced.
• In interviews, they have noted that the show’s energy and casting choices intentionally reflect a modern, inclusive world.

Audience and critic perspectives on queerness

• Reviews from New Zealand — such as those in Tearaway – NZ student magazine — describe the show as “high-energy and exciting” without directly addressing queerness, but the audience response is overwhelmingly positive.
• Online forums frequently discuss the show’s LGBTQ+ appeal, though no official classification exists.

What is the story behind Six the Musical?

Six reimagines the six wives of Henry VIII as a pop girl group, each telling her own story through a song.

The six wives of Henry VIII as pop princesses

• The wives are Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.
• Each queen competes to be the “lead singer” by arguing who had the worst time with Henry.
• The show runs 80 minutes with no interval (SIX the Musical – official NZ site).

Modern retelling of Tudor history

• The musical takes historical liberties for dramatic effect, but it also highlights real facts about each queen’s life.
• Creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss wrote the show while students at Cambridge, blending pop music (Beyoncé, Adele, Rihanna influences) with Tudor history.

Song highlights and character arcs

• Each queen gets a solo: “Ex-Wives” (opener), “Don’t Lose Ur Head” (Anne Boleyn), “Heart of Stone” (Jane Seymour), “Haus of Holbein” (Anna of Cleves), “Get Down” (Katherine Howard), “I Don’t Need Your Love” (Catherine Parr).
• The finale “Six” brings all queens together in a powerful anthem.

Why is Six controversial?

Despite its popularity, the musical has faced criticism from some quarters. The main debates revolve around historical accuracy and genre classification.

Historical accuracy vs entertainment

• Some historians argue that the show oversimplifies complex Tudor history. For example, Catherine of Aragon’s devout Catholicism is downplayed.
• However, the creators have always said the show is not a history lesson — it’s a pop-feminist reclamation.

Criticism for being ‘not a real musical’

• Some theatre critics have argued that Six is more of a concert than a musical, since it lacks traditional narrative structure.
• This debate has been particularly strong in the UK press, but New Zealand reviews have been more positive — NZ Arts Review called it “more than mere glitz”.

Gender and feminist debates

• Some feminist critics question whether the show’s “girl power” framing is shallow or empowering.
• Others praise it for giving each wife a voice and agency, turning them from historical footnotes into protagonists.

“Six is more than just a pop concert — it’s a feminist reclamation of history.”

— Toby Marlow, co-creator, in various interviews

The catch: the debate itself proves the show provokes thought, even if it doesn’t settle the questions it raises.

Why is Anne Boleyn green in Six?

One of the most visually striking choices in the show is Anne Boleyn’s green costume. It’s a deliberate symbolic move.

Costume symbolism

• Anne Boleyn’s costume is green, a colour historically associated with jealousy and envy — referencing her reputation as a “homewrecker”.
• Green also alludes to the green dress she reportedly wore to her execution, as documented in Tudor accounts.
• Designer Gabriella Slade used bold colours for each queen: Catherine of Aragon in red, Jane Seymour in white, etc.

Anne Boleyn’s costume in Six

• The costume is a modern, sparkly green dress with a touch of Tudor silhouette — a mix of punk and pop.
• It helps Anne Boleyn’s character (played with comedic energy) stand out as the “funny, irreverent” queen.

Timeline

• 2019 – Six the Musical premieres in London’s West End
• 2021 – Broadway debut at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre
• March 2025 – New Zealand premiere at Auckland Arts Festival, The Civic Theatre (Tearaway – NZ review)
• 2026 – Return to Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle); NZ dates not yet announced
• up to November 2027 – Tickets available for UK tour

Clarity section

Quotes

“Six is more than mere glitz — it has substance.”

— NZ Arts Review (Aotearoa arts critic)

“A high-energy and exciting take on the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives.”

— Tearaway (New Zealand student magazine)

“We wanted to give these women a chance to tell their stories in their own words.”

— Lucy Moss, co-creator (as reported in multiple interviews)

Summary

Six the Musical has already proven its appeal in New Zealand with a sold-out Auckland season. For Kiwi audiences hoping to see the show in 2026, the path is clear: monitor Ticketmaster NZ and the official Australian site for announcements. Without a confirmed Wellington or Christchurch stop, the next best option may be a trip across the Tasman — or a wait for a potential second New Zealand tour later in the decade.

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Fans in New Zealand can look forward to the 2026 tour, which follows the same electrifying format as the global tour of Six the Musical that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Frequently asked questions