”Lizzie” musical to be staged by the Hope Mill Theatre this autumn ahead of tour
Hit musical Lizzie will be revived in Manchester this autumn, it has been revealed.
The piece, which has music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner and a book by Maner, is inspired by the true story of Lizzie Borden (famously tried for the axe murders of her father and stepmother).
It was first seen in New York in 2009, with further stagings and a cast album release taking place over subsequent years. A UK premiere of a Danish production of the piece took place at the Greenwich Theatre in 2017.
It now returns in a new, and its first UK-originated, production, presented at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester before its first UK tour.
It has direction and choreography by the Hope Mill’s co-founder William Whelton, while the creative team also includes set and lighting designer Andrew Exeter, musical supervisor Katy Richardson, associate choreographer Yandass Ndlovu and casting by Pearson Casting. Further team members are to be announced.
Whelton said today: “We are thrilled to share the news of our autumn production of Lizzie, which will premiere at Hope Mill Theatre followed by a short UK tour. Lizzie is based on the true story of Lizzie Borden who in the height of summer 1892 killed her father and stepmother with an axe.
“As a massive true crime fan myself this musical is the perfect way to explore this infamous story with the added extra of an incredible punk rock score. The retelling of this story is with an incredibly talented all-female cast and on stage all-female rock band, but the real heart of this show is how it explores the power, resilience and strength of women and their relationships.
“I am so excited to bring this show to life surrounded by an exceptional team around me. When the show premiered off-Broadway in 2009 it really was ahead of its time and it now feels like the perfect time to create a new version of this ‘bloody’ great show!”
Running from 1 to 30 September, tickets for the show are on sale today. Casting is to be revealed very, very soon (so keep an eye on WhatsOnStage’s channels!) with tour dates set to be unveiled in due course.
