Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one. The well-known rhyme forms the basis of the latest musical offering from Ancoats’ award-winning Hope Mill Theatre. LIZZIE: The Musical premiered in New York in 2009 and is the story of Lizzie Borden who famously killed her father and stepmother with an axe in 1890s Massachusetts – or did she?
In this first UK-built production, Hope Mill’s own Chief Exec, William Whelton, directs and choreographs a powerhouse of female musical talent: Maiya Quansah-Breed, Shekinah McFarlane, Mairi Barclay, and the mesmerising Lauren Drew as Lizzie take no prisoners with their powerful rock vocals and high energy performances. Barclay’s Bridget provides perfectly timed tongue-in-cheek moments of humour in this dark and bloody tale, whilst Steven Cheslik-deMayer, Tim Maner and Alan Stevens Hewitt’s script and score take us from the decibel-hitting rock of The House of Borden and Mercury Rising to the tear-jerking Watchmen for the Morning.
Prepare to be captivated by the gruesomely gripping story of Lizzie Borden. This is one of the best productions we have seen on stage for a long time. From the immediate feeling of foreboding as you enter the pigeon-infested auditorium, the spine-tingling performances, to the raw, rocking, electrifying music, brilliantly played by the all-female 4-piece band, Lizzie delivers an unforgettable night of entertainment. Following what will be a sell-out run at Hope Mill, Lizzie takes to the road until December, and we predict it will be the emerging hit production into 2024– catch it whilst you can!
Hope Mill Theatre: Sep 1st – 30th, 2023
5 stars
Garry Thomas-Lowde
