Spalding’s Act II is getting ready to perform Six the musical along with Alpha - an original play to tackle toxic masculinity

Young actors are gearing up to celebrate the lives of six extraordinary women and tackle the top of toxic masculinity in a pair of plays later this week.

Act II Theatre Company will be telling the stories of the six queens of Henry VIII in a performance of the hit West End musical Six in the South Holland Centre, Spalding, on Saturday, July 12.

But — to accompany this — the theatre company is also taking on issues such as harmful attitudes towards women when it also puts on Alpha, an original play written by director Karl Gernert which offers up Henry VIII’s views in a ‘bro style’ podcast with his advisors.

Toxic masculinity and views about how men should behave — particularly towards women — espoused by the likes of social media influencers such as Andrew Tate have become a major issue for society and were highlighted earlier this year by Netflix drama Adolescence.

Karl, who aims to show how Henry went from a young idealistic defender of the faith to a ‘randy old git’, said: “I spent seven months in the ‘manosphere’ so no-one else has to.

“We think we have progressed in the 500 years since the Tudor times but in many ways, we really haven’t.

“The videos on social media are horrific stuff. When we talk about people like 1970s comedian Bernard Manning, we think we have moved on from that but we really haven’t. Andrew Tate and Russell Brand have their followings. What we are trying to do is make our contribution and help teenage boys and girls steer away from these views.

“We are spoiled at Act II as we see teenagers who want to be there but I work in schools and hear these things. This is our way of fighting this rising tide of toxic masculinity and push boys against that and fight the good fight.

“The four lads who are doing the play are very much wanting to be a positive example of young male energy.”

Six is a witty production which give a voice to Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleeves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr using a singing competition as a medium.

The 15 youngsters involved will be performing the teen version of the musical, which was written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss to show the people behind the ‘divorced, beheaded died/survived’ rhyme.

Karl has praised the show’s clever writing and succinct lyrics.

He added: “It says a lot that we as a company very much agree with in terms of women’s abilities and rights. This is the first show in 20 years that I will not direct. There is an all female crew and orchestra.”

The team performing Six has also been given a masterclass from actress Harriet Watson, a professional Six queen.

Karl said: “It was wonderful. She could say what it was like. She has played all six queens on tour at some point in her career.”

Performances of Six are running at 2pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, July 12. Tickets are £14 with £10 concessions.

Alpha will be performed on Saturday, July 12, at 11am and 5pm. Tickets cost £5.