I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely grabbed by the premise for Six the Musical.

The blurb told how the wives of Henry VIII “remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a 75-minute celebration of 21st century girl power”.

It didn’t sound like my bag, but I’m happy to admit I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I went to opening night this week at the Marlowe in Canterbury with my 14-year-old daughter, who was beyond excited to see a show I had heard very little about.

On the first thumping beat of the drums, the mostly female crowd whooped as if Magic Mike was about to take the stage. They knew what was coming, and it wasn’t Channing Tatum in a firemen’s hat.

It was six powerful, confident women dressed in cosmic costumes that could be described as anything but Tudor.

They were, of course, the wives of Henry VIII - best known for featuring in GCSE history lessons and pub quizzes.

But these women were far-removed from those described to me by Mr Fox in a dreary Canterbury classroom in the late 1990s.

They were here to tell some oft-told stories in a way that has never been done before - in the form of a raucous musical which is more Little Mix concert than your typical West End fare.

It’s a journey through time, telling the tales of each wife as they battle it out to be crowned the ultimate Queen - each trying to trump each other in how much they suffered at the hands of their miserly husband.

Catherine of Aragon, played by Lauren Drew, opens the ‘contest’ with some show-stopping vocals (and a particularly impressive high note), before passing the baton to the brilliant Maddison Bulleyment, who raises the roof with the Lily Allen-esque track Don’t Lose Ur Head.

The pace then slows perfectly as a heartbroken Jane Seymour - played by Caitlin Tipping - belts out a ballad that will leave your arm hairs on end.

The talents of lighting designer Tim Deiling shine during a techno-inspired ensemble number, before Anna Cleves is brought to by Shekinah McFarlane.

Vicki Manser, as Katherine Howard, then takes time to deliciously, and hilariously, dissect her fellow Queens’ tales of suffering before launching into the extremely catchy All You Wanna Do, before the the tone switches once more with the final wife - and survivor - Catherine Parr, played by Elena Gyasi.

The whole show is a joyous watch, and brilliant from start to finish.

It’s also very, very funny, with a series of one-liners delivered with impeccable timing.

The fact there isn’t a star of the show is testament to the talents of every member of the cast, which is backed up by the superb Ladies in Waiting - an impressive all-female band who didn’t miss a beat.

Six - which was nominated for five Olivier Awards - is like nothing I’ve seen before, and certainly not what I’d imagined it would be.

Catch it while you still can, or off with your head.

Six the Musical is at the Marlowe until Saturday (Feb 12). Performances are at 8pm, with matinees at 5m on Friday and 4pm on Saturday.

Tickets, at £15-£45, can be booked at marlowetheatre.com.