Lizzie el Musical, Teatre Gaudi Barcelona Review
Written by Laura for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
Les Biaix couldn’t have chosen a better night to present Lizzie, el Musical (Lizzie the Musical) to Barcelona; yesterday’s Halloween eve was gloomy, rainy and a bit spooky.
The musical follows Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892. Through four female protagonists, the show explores the reasons that may have driven Lizzie to commit such a crime, as well as the subsequent trial.
The Teatre Gaudí in Barcelona was the perfect stage for this story to unfold, with a central stage surrounded by seats on all sides, allowing the performance to feel even more immersive and making the audience feel as if they were inside Lizzie’s mind. Perhaps the blocking favored some sides more than others, and I would have loved for some of the action to take place closer to my side; however, I believe this was mostly due to which areas had backstage access.
The story was thoroughly engaging, crude, and raw, but never tasteless in its execution. The staging and costumes helped deliver the story beautifully, beginning with white dresses and sparse furniture and ending with a tall, bloody platform on which our characters, now dressed in red and black modern outfits, could shout out their truths and be liberated.
I have nothing but praise for the fabulous team that brought the characters to life. They shone individually but also blended their voices seamlessly whenever they sang together, amplifying each other rather than trying to outshine the rest. Alba Grau was mesmerizing as Lizzie Borden, with a clear and impressive voice and a heart-wrenching “Gotta Get Out of Here.” Claudia Anyor had a gorgeous voice and great stage presence as Emma Borden, Gemma Maus portrayed a beautifully vulnerable Alice Russell, and Ariadna Clapés had impressive vocal prowess and the coolest secret smirks as Bridget Sullivan.
Lizzie was an impressive and powerful cry for liberation, offering a beautiful exploration of Lizzie Borden’s possible motives through a modern and engaging portrayal.
Lizzie, el Musical is only playing for four weeks. Catch it at Teatre Gaudí until November 24th.
★★★★★
