Based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady M tells the untold story of Lady Macbeth. Chilling flashbacks of her haunted past are woven into this reimagining of the famous tale, revealing an original backstory to Lady Macbeth's villainy and downfall. Created, adapted and written by James Beeny and Gina Georgio, the sung-through musical features a modern score with original music and lyrics.
Lady M is currently in development and has undergone two development workshops with acclaimed West End director Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy (the new production of Miss Saigon (UK Tour), Les Misérables - The Staged Concert, Oliver! with Matthew Bourne) and renowned choreographer Lizzi Gee (A Christmas Carol on Broadway, HMS Pinafore - English National Opera). Multi-Grammy Award-winning record producer Rik Simpson has joined the creative team to collaborate with James Beeny and Gina Georgio on the soundscape of the production and to co-produce future music releases. Rik is best known for his producing work with Coldplay, on albums including Mylo Xyloto, Viva La Vida, Everyday Life, Ghost Stories and A Head Full Of Dreams.
In 2024, a large-scale licensed production of Lady M opened in Shanghai. Featuring a cast of thirty, and starring a combination of Chinese, European and West End actors, the musical was presented for an initial sixty performances at the 1862 Shipyard Theatre. The Chinese production was produced by Shanghai Culture Square Theatre, Poly Group, and Xu Jun Drama and Musical. This collaboration between Toy Soldier Productions and the Shanghai team was the first of its kind, with the creation of an original Chinese version of a British-born musical. The production will return to Shanghai in 2025.
In the UK, the workshop casts have included George Blagden as 'Macduff' (Series Lead in Vikings and Versailles, Company, Les Misérables 2012 film), Kerry Ellis as 'Lady Macbeth' (Original 'Meat' in We Will Rock You, first British 'Elphaba' in Wicked, 'Nancy' in Oliver!, 'Ellen' in Miss Saigon, 'Fantine' in Les Misérables), Robert Hands as 'King Duncan'/'Lennox' (Nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Come From Away, Doctor Who), Jamie Muscato as 'Banquo' ('Christian' in Moulin Rouge, 'JD' in Heathers, 'Enjolras' in Les Misérables - The Staged Concert), Maiya Quansah-Breed as 'Lady Macduff' ('Catherine Parr' in the original cast of Six), and Karl Queensborough as 'Macbeth' (‘Alexander Hamilton’ in Hamilton).
To date, four singles from the show have been commercially released, receiving more than 1.5 million streams. These include an early recording of 'Mother Scotland', and 'What Must Be Done', co-produced by James Beeny, Gina Georgio and Rik Simpson. 'Mother Scotland' received a world-exclusive first play on Elaine Paige on Sunday on BBC Radio 2 with an introduction by George Blagden.
As a part of the Lady M development process, a full demo of the show has been recorded at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios. Combining the worlds of theatre and the music industry, this demo has enabled James, Gina and Rik to work extensively on the soundscape of the stage production within a studio environment, fusing live orchestration with modern, state-of-the-art music production. More recordings will be released in 2025.
