LIZZIE, Hope Mill Theatre Review

`Lauren Drew as Lizzie and Maiya Quansah-Breed as Alice in LIZZIE The Musical. Pamela Raith Photography`

★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Harry

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

TW/CW Lizzie the Musical contains: Strong Language, Violence, References to Sexual Abuse, Strobe/flashing lighting, Blood, Haze and Loud music & noises.

Having a London premiere in 2017 at Greenwich Theatre, LIZZIE the Musical returns in this first ever UK production playing at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester in September.

LIZZIE the Musical is the story of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her stepmother and father with an axe in Fall River Massachusetts in 1892. Firstly, not knowing anything about the true case of Lizzie Borden, and not knowing much of the musical, apart from it having a rock/pop score and that it was about a true case, I went in not knowing what to really expect.

Director and Choreographer Willam Whelton gives a great insight into Lizzie’s life. Willam creates an intense feeling during Lizzie’s trial by making Lauren Drew walk around the others, this heightens the tension of what's being said as it feels like Lizzie is counting on her sister and Bridget to help her be found not guilty, with also Maiya Quansah-Breed, who plays Alice, wanting to tell the truth. Another part that Willam does really well is at the start of the song “The House of Borden”, Willam presents the song like an opening song should be, giving the audience the visual image of the location of where they are and the way this song is directed gave the sense of where I am and actually made the set feel bigger then it was. Willam also gives a well-aimed uncomfortable feel for the audience for the end of Act 1 that leaves you stunned.

With Willam being also the show's choreographer what I loved about it was that it was full on but not too much, it had the right balance and impact needed in this small space. Willam gives a choreographic approach with repetition with one move throughout the show which was placed in various numbers, which personally I feel that gives this production of the show a clever touch and will give fans of the show something that is recognisable. The choreography accelerates with the speed of the music and the intention and emotion executed had a huge impact. Williams's choreography is just fantastic and brings the pumping numbers together brilliantly.

`The company of LIZZIE. Pamela Raith Photography`

With music and lyrics by Steven Cheslik-deMeyer and Tim Maner (also additional music & book) and Alan Stevens Hewitt on music (also additional lyrics), Lizzie’s music is very heavy in rock from start to finish the score booms through the small auditorium of the Hope Mill Theatre, which gets your heart pumping, with also some acoustic soft tempo songs such as “If You Knew” and “Maybe Someday”. The songs really suited the characters and their characteristics “If You Knew” and “Maybe Someday” are two examples of Alice’s, as Alice is described as kindhearted & innocent. Then “Sweet Little Sister” gives you a great song to tell the story with Shekinah Mcfarlane, who plays Emma, telling Lizzie about the family history and this sets up what's to come. The whole score is catchy and makes you sing the songs on your way home as it did with me, and the songs are well balanced with different tempos and have lines that occasionally pop into your head and you start singing.

I expected dialogue within the show but unexpectedly the show is sung through with very little dialogue bridging the songs or within them which also helped the song’s intentions and aims.

When walking into the auditorium of The Hope Mill, Andrew Exeter lets the audience be greeted by a set that is made of wood, with pigeons placed on top and scattered hay making the set feel like a barn, and a spinning axe music box that gives you the sense of nervousness. With sliding doors for entering and exiting and moving scenery, this set does a simple but well-done job of giving you a base and then adding other layers to it. Andrew gives bright lights of red and white and soft dark blue to give a sense of location and feel of the scene. Andrew’s lights work well with Willam’s high energy choreography and deep and intense direction. Dan Light's video design enhances what was already intense even more with the blood splats and little bits of information against this and works together with the other elements of the production.

Lauren Drew plays the title role of Lizzie, Lauren gives us a ruthless and cunning character. Lauren plays off Shekinah well with great harmonies and connection. Lauren is brilliant as Lizzie giving you a sense of wondering what her character will do next time, alongside her unforgettable vocal ability. Maiya Quansah-Breed plays Alice, Maiya plays a sweet version of Alice and reveals the character's love for Lizzie slowly, which was nice to see the slow reveal of Alice's feelings for Lizzie during this show. Maiya’s version of “Alice” is pleasing and very successful in engaging the audience.

Shekinah Mcfarlane plays Emma, the sister to Lizzie. Shekinah has understood the character and thought deeply about how she can bring Emma to the next level. Mairi Barclay plays Bridget, Mairi gives a brilliant narrator type role, Bridget is essentially the narrator to the show. Bridget gets to speak directly to the audience and Mairi executes this with ease during “The House of Borden” and gets the audience's attention. Mairi is engaging and really knows how to get the story out in an understandable way to all.

Lizzie the Musical is very different to what I am used to watching. The delivery in its tagline of “A true crime punk rock musical” hasn’t missed the target. It's another show that can be added to the list of musicals that takes on historical figures and delivers their stories in a new and modernistic way. Jam-packed with loud and fiery original music, if you love something a bit edgy then this production is for you and you can be assured it has a bright future.

At Hope Mill Theatre until 30 September.