Lizzie musical to return to the Hope Mill Theatre

Hit musical Lizzie will return for a fresh run in Manchester later this year.

The piece explores the life of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in the late summer of 1892. With music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner, and a book by Maner, Lizzie delves into the character’s complex psyche and speculates on the motivations she may have had.

It recieved a solid review from WhatsOnStage, being described as “fun, frenetic, and starring four exceptional female talents.”

The production will return for a three-week spell from 17 October to 11 November, with a press night on 20 October and a special Halloween gala.

Directed and choreographed by William Whelton, the production features musical supervision by Katy Richardson, musical direction by Honor Halford-Macleod, set and lighting design by Andrew Exeter, costume design by Rachel Tansey, dialect coaching by Manny Crooks, sound design by Adam Fisher, associate choreography by Yandass Ndlovu, video design by Dan Light and casting by Pearson Casting.

Whelton said: “After such a successful run of Lizzie last autumn in Manchester and across the UK, including a run at London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant, I am thrilled to bring the show back home to Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, where it was rehearsed and created, for a strictly limited run this autumn.

“Audiences across the UK fell in love with this musical just as much as I have and I can’t wait to share this again with fans of the show and welcoming even more new audiences into the House of Borden.

“The show will run over Halloween this autumn – which is the perfect time of year and we are planning a very special performance on the 31 October, full of surprises for the fans, tickets for this one off night will go on sale on the 4 of August 2024 – exactly 131 years since the murders took place.’’