Henry VIII and his six wives take to the stage at Theatr Mwldan on Friday 14 March at 7.30pm as you’ve never quite seen them before.

Howard Coggins (Bristol Old Vic) looks like Henry VIII. There's no escaping that.

Stu McLoughlin (Kneehigh) doesn't really look like any of the wives, but he’s going to give it a go.

Here’s how the idea began…

In 2009 on a day trip to the childhood home of Anne Boleyn - Hever Castle in Kent, Stu McLoughlin’s eye was caught by a rather ostentatious portrait of Henry VIII. As he studied the portrait, a strange feeling came over him. That odd feeling when you've seen somebody before and you can't quite decide where, or in what capacity you know them?

He puzzled on this for some time and then “By Jingo! It was Howard Coggins!”

He called him up there and then:

“Has anyone ever told you that you look like Henry VIII?”

“No they haven't”

“It really is uncanny, Howard. You look a lot like Henry VIII. I'm standing in front of his portrait now and its just you in a costume”

“Ah right. Well, there's a show in there somewhere!” He laughed.

“Yeah, you play Henry and I'll play all the wives!” I said.

He stopped laughing and went very quiet.

“That's a great idea” he murmured reverently.

“I was just joking” I replied.

“No, seriously,” said Howard “That is a brilliant idea. I'll play Henry, you play the Wives! Let's write it”

So the story begins…After their previous self-funded two-man historical drama is savaged in the press, Howard and Stu are at their wits end. Then they hit upon this idea for a show that could change everything...But can two of the South West’s favourite theatrical sons put aside their differences and make it through to the end without killing each other?

The Six Wives of Henry VIII was an undisputed hit at the Bristol Old Vic and with live original music, embroidery, barbie dolls, silly songs and historical hysteria, this promises to be an ill-researched lesson in cross-dressing Tudor history that you'll never forget.

Tickets for The Six Wives of Henry VIII are priced £12 full price (£11 concessions) and are available now from Theatr Mwldan’s Box Office on 01239 621200, on-line at www.mwldan.co.uk or via smartphones.