Maiya Quansah-Breed Archives - North West End UK

2Nov

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

LIZZIE– Southwark Playhouse

London's Southwark Playhouse is currently playing host to a riveting and unapologetically fierce production of ‘LIZZIE’, the true crime rock punk musical. This fresh and dynamic production of the first UK staging, presented by the accomplished team at Hope Mill Theatre, is edgy, bold, and nothing short of brilliant. It brings a thrilling blend of music, drama, and history to the stage, redefining the boundaries of what a musical can be, and quite frankly goes toe-to-toe with some of the other similar historical productions that are currently playing in the West End and round the globe. Set in the backdrop of the infamous Lizzie Borden murders in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1892, ‘LIZZIE’ weaves a gripping narrative that blends fact, fiction, legend, and female sass, into an intoxicati...

4Sep

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

LIZZIE The Musical – Hope Mill Theatre

On a late Summer Sunday afternoon when the sun had finally decided to grace Manchester with its presence, I forfeit the chance of barbeques with friends (or beers in the pub garden) to attend the UK rebirth of 'Lizzie', billed as 'A True Crime Rock Musical'. Some two hours later, I emerged blinking into the light having witnessed a 'tour de force' of musical theatre with powerhouse performances and cracking choreography. A production which will stay with me for a very long time, I definitely made the right decision. 'Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one.' This nursery rhyme is as well known to American children as 'Ring a Roses' or 'Three Blind Mice' is to their British counterparts, and i...

18Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

The Queens are taking you to court

Worldwide hit musical SIX, created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, will play three open-air concert performances at Hampton Court Palace, reuniting the original West End Queens and performing within the iconic main courtyard of their infamous ex-husband’s former residence on Sunday 19th June and two performances on Monday 20th June 2022. This production, staged in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity which cares for Hampton Court Palace - will see the global musical phenomenon staged outdoors for the first time, in front of an audience of over 3,000 at each performance. SIX Live at Hampton Court Palace will reunite the original West End line-up of Olivier Award nominated cast members; Jarnéia Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon), Millie O’Connell (Anne Boley...

I Could Use a Drink – Vaudeville Theatre

3Aug

By Sophie GrahamNo Comments

London

I Could Use a Drink – Vaudeville Theatre

“I Could Use a Drink”, and couldn’t we all after the year we’ve had? Originally a successful streaming event, tonight Drew Gasparini’s “I Could Use a Drink” made it’s west end debut at the Garrick Theatre, London. First released in 2013 as a contemporary Musical Theatre album, exploring a range of themes from love and heartbreak to teen pregnancy, producers Liam Gartland and Alex Conder (of Gartland Productions) transform this album to a staged production. Whilst the original album features an array of Broadway’s biggest names, this cast certainly gives a well overdue opportunity to showcase some of the young west end stars of the future. And what an exciting cast this is: Ahmed Hamad (Rent), Billy Nevers (& Juliet, Jesus Christ Superstar), Caroline Kay (Daisy, The Space Between), ...

21Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

West End Musical Drive In – Live Stream

Why settle for one musical when you can watch the iconic hits from all our favourites? In the Summer of 2020, the incredible team at ‘West End Musical Brunch’ brought us ‘West End Musical Drive In’ and stunned audiences from their vehicles in the two-hour performance. Now in 2021 we are brought the recorded experience of all five concerts in the comfort of our own homes. Hosted by Shanay Holmes (co-founder of ‘West End Musical Brunch’) act one of the first concert presents us with a lineup of moving, heartfelt songs such as ‘On My Own’ from ‘Les Misérables’ performed by former Éponine Shan Ako and ‘Burn’ from ‘Hamilton’ performed by Maiya Quansah Breed. Shortly after we were introduced to the headline act Layton Williams who is known for a number of roles such as Billy Elliot in ‘Billy...

18Jan

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

Girl Power – Thespie Online

In this new addition to the streaming website, Thespie, the SEVEN original cast-members of SIX, the West End musical, give some incredible FIVE-star performances. With FOUR glamourous costume changes, the audience is swept through the decades of classic THREE-minute pop songs by female collaborators. Surprisingly, the group has only put on TWO concerts, but it’s clear that this ONE is a hit. Yes, I enjoyed myself creating that countdown introduction. But not as much as I enjoyed watching this show. Starting off with the Andrews Sisters, (a surprising choice) the show pushes on to the likes of TLC and Little Mix. The concert aims to get the audience dancing along in their living rooms to some female anthems. And it succeeded. Their harmonies are ridiculously good. There’s not one song o...

2Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

The Show Must Go On!

On the 16th March 2020, following Government guidelines, theatres across the United Kingdom were forced to close their doors amidst a global pandemic. It is now time to unite as a community and #SaveOurTheatres West End Live Lounge have created this amazing video featuring a plethora of theatre stars to help get this simple message across, The Show Must Go On! Cast Includes: Glenn Adamson, Kelly Agbowu, Marcus Ayton, Adam Bailey, Zoe Birkett, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Erin Caldwell, Louise Dearman, Kellie Gnauck, Simon Gordon, Natalie Green ,Emma Hatton, Lisa-Marie Holmes, Jacqueline Hughes, Joel Harper-Jackson, Sejal Keshwala, Emma Kingston, Martha Kirby, Emma Lindars, Shekinah McFarlane, Kayleigh McKnight,Sarah Moss, Brady Isaacs-Pearce, Laura Pick, Andrew Polec ,Lauren James-Ray, J...