I am a history snob. I admit it. So when I saw a snippet of the West End version of Six on TV I found myself morphing into 'Yours appalled, of the Isle of Wight.'

'What IS this?,' I grumbled. The wives of Henry VIII did NOT wear sequins and sing pop songs about girl power.

When the County Press was offered the chance to review an Island-staged teen version of the show, I went with preconceptions.

They were combined with both a long, tiring day in the office and a race to get to Department in Ryde, so I was wearing my 'go-on-impress-me' face.

Isle of Wight County Press: Six is showing at Ryde's Department.

Six words describe the Horse Box Theatre company's production of the Toby Marlow (terrific Tudor name, by the way) and Lucy Moss show.

Wow wow wow and more wow.

From the outset, this was a high energy show, featuring a group of young performers whose leather-clad broad shoulders were more than capable of carrying the hefty song and dance requirements.  

They lifted the room, from the moment they sashayed on stage.

I don't know which bits were removed from this teen edition, compared to the longer London show, but I didn't once feel I was missing out.

Each of the six is a former wife of tyrannical Henry VIII and each tries to win sympathy and support from the audience in her bid to be crowned the right Royal winner.

In the end of course, the themes are teamwork, everyday double standards, and why women across the eras aren't consigned to the history books at all. 

The messages were delivered amidst a riot of laughs, delivered with confidence that belied the cast's teenage years.

Anne Boleyn (Charlotte Jenkins) was sassy and laugh out loud funny, contrasting with both Jane Seymour's (Bonita Hunnybun) demure presence and the 'got a palace and tons of cash' lifestyle embodied by divorcee, Anne of Cleves (Catherine Propia)

Isle of Wight County Press: Some of the cast of Six, which has two shows in Ryde today.

Jilted Catherine of Aragon (Lottie Paine) and party-girl Catherine Howard (Ava Cowan) were also great, and survivor, Catherine Parr (Josie Flack) brought equal measures of elegance and class.

Each song gives a queen the chance to shine and each contrasts with the one before.

It means the cast are required to deliver everything from rap to pop, while dancing in every style you can think of. I was exhausted just watching.

Teen edition? This could easily have been a touring production.

From the bejewelled leather jackets to the audience's riotous reception, everything about this show was a win.

Think Horrible Histories combined with Hamilton and make sure you take your little princesses along to see it, if you get the chance.

Isle of Wight County Press: Lottie Paine, Josie Flack, Catherine Propia, Charlotte Jenkins, Bonita Hunnybun, Ava Cowan. Lottie Paine, Josie Flack, Catherine Propia, Charlotte Jenkins, Bonita Hunnybun, Ava Cowan. (Image: Horse Box Theatre company.)

There are two different casts (the other features Katy Haggerty, Grace Jones, Lilly Valvona, Lacey Edie, Georgina Davis Field and Tilly Rainford), but if the standards of the one I watched are matched, you are in for a real treat. 

There are two shows today (Wednesday), at 5pm and 8pm.

Be prepared to stand. It makes the show interactive and means audience members can dance along. But, as we women know, dresses since 1523 have rarely had pockets and I regretted not bringing a bag to dump in the corner - and wished I had left my cloak in my carriage. 

I am pretty sure King Henry would not have been happy with this musical, but to be honest, who cares?