PREVIEW By Steve Cooke
Lauren Drew, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Shekinah McFarlane and Mairi Barclay will star in a new production of the punk rock musical LIZZIE, which will premiere at Hope Mill Theatre this September before going on tour!
Lauren Drew (SIX, Legally Blonde, The Voice) will play Lizzie, Maiya Quansah-Breed (SIX, Rent) is Alice, Shekinah McFarlane (SIX, Parade, The Voice) will play Emma, and Mairi Barclay (Pippin, Mother Goose) will take the role of Bridget.
LIZZIE explores the life of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in the late summer of 1892.
The punk rock musical delves into Lizzie’s complex psyche and speculates on the motivations she may have had: loss of inheritance, history of sexual abuse, oppression, and madness. Lizzie, along with her older sister Emma, maid Bridget, and neighbour Alice, bring to life the infamous story supported on stage by an all-female band.
Lizzie The Musical premiered in New York in 2009 at The Living Theatre and received its London premiere in 2017 at the Greenwich Theatre with the Danish production. This new production will be the first UK built version of the show and the first UK tour.
The perfect show for any fan of true crime, horror and of course Musicals!
LIZZIE will be directed and choreographed by Hope Mill Theatre co-founder William Whelton and has music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner and a book by Tim Maner.
Director and Choreographer William Whelton said: “I am thrilled to share our exceptional cast for LIZZIE The musical. As a huge fan of both true crime and musicals, I am extremely excited to bring together these worlds in this audacious and heartfelt rock musical. To then have these amazingly talented women and powerhouse vocalists on board to bring this show to life, is truly a dream come true and I can’t wait to blow the roof of the Hope Mill Theatre!”
LIZZIE has swung her axe in over 60 cities, in 6 countries, in 5 languages, across 4 continents and has been honoured with dozens of awards including 8 Best Musical Awards! (and she’s still swinging…)
1st September – 1st October
Tuesday – Saturday 19:30
+ Saturday 14:30
+ Sunday 15:00/17:00
From £25 + Booking fees
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7JA
Box Office: boxoffice@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Enquiries: admin@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 0161 275 9141