Heady and heated _{by Madelaine Empson}

Many of us have heard the gripping true-crime case of Lizzie Borden, whose father and stepmother were murdered in Fall River, Massachusetts in August 1892. Lizzie was tried and acquitted of the axe murders, though no one else was ever found guilty of the crime.

Described as having “one of the best rock scores this side of Jesus Christ Superstar” by The Stage, Lizzie the Musical explores the heady and heated events leading up to the infamous trial that made Lizzie a media sensation. Thanks to WITCH Music Theatre, Wellingtonians will have the chance to catch this punk-rock reimagining at Circa Theatre from the 10^th of August to the 7^th of September.

With modern musicals like SIX or Hedwig and the Angry Inch popularising the semi-concert-inspired format of the musical theatre experience, co-director Ben Tucker-Emerson says it felt like a no-brainer for WITCH to bring the rebellious Lizzie the Musical – which has recently made a major impact on the UK’s musical theatre scene – to Pōneke. Laced with political depth and themes advocating for queer rights, female autonomy, and equality, “it perfectly matched our kaupapa and style with its rock-opera format and badass, queer, female-led energy”, says Tucker-Emerson, who co-directs alongside choreographer Greta Casey-Solly.

That said, tackling a sung-through musical – one with barely a pause for breath – is no mean feat. Under the baton of music director Hayden Taylor, the powerhouse cast of “four of Aotearoa’s most exciting new musical theatre talents” can hack it. Lizzie the Musical stars wāhine Māori artists Bailea Twomey and Jane Leonard in the sister roles of Lizzie and Emma, with newcomer Rachel McSweeney playing their next-door neighbour Alice Russell and Aimée Sullivan taking on the role of Bridget ‘Maggie’ Sullivan the maid.

Much like WITCH’s celebrated April 2024 production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, audiences should expect thrills and surprises aplenty, with a searing live band to facilitate eruptions into full-blown rock-concert mode.

Buckle up for this rollercoaster of revenge, betrayal, sex, and murder that’ll have you on the knife’s edge of your seat.