Maimuna Memon is a distinctive creative force.
Her skills as a writer, performer and multi-instrumentalist have produced accomplished, thought-provoking and emotionally vulnerable songs which excel in two environments: in their own right as a recording artist, but also within the wider narrative of theatrical productions.
Those two worlds are united this month, starting with today’s release of her debut EP, ‘More Than I Bargained For’ which features the new focus track ‘Father of Mine’. Three of the EP’s songs also provide key moments in her Fringe First Award winning ‘Manic Street Creature’, which blurs the boundaries between concept album and stage play, and makes its London debut at the Southwark Playhouse from October 19th to November 11th.
As we’ve heard from its previous singles, ‘More Than I Bargained For’ hones in on the grander significance of intimate moments of universal experience. First ‘Sinner’ charted all-consuming love, in the process exploring issues of family heritage, religious guilt and self-forgiveness.
‘Insomnia’ then addressed the thoughts that plague the small hours: sharing a bed with someone new and the issues of intimacy, trust and vulnerabilities that come with it. And ‘Set This House On Fire’ focused on the intoxication of a new love and the optimism of what that relationship may bring. Now the EP is completed by ‘Father of Mine’, which Maimuna introduces.
She says: “‘Father Of Mine’ encapsulates a lot of what the show is about. How so much of what we learn bleeds into our adult life, how co-dependency so often is learnt from what we see at home, how there comes a moment when we realise what our parents taught us isn’t necessarily what is right for us.
“I learnt a lot through writing that song, and even though it is no longer in the show, it feels like the perfect track to complete my EP and to encompass its themes. I have grown so much over the years and discovered an incredible amount through writing all of this material, and finally releasing 'Father Of Mine' and this EP signifies a part of me that has forgiven myself and learnt a hell of a lot.”
The ‘More Than I Bargained For’ EP further builds anticipation for the London launch of ‘Manic Street Creature’. It sees love, lust, and late nights collide in a musical rollercoaster, taking the audience through the euphoria and distress of two people dealing with their own and each other’s mental health.
Maimuna plays Ria, who is working with her band to complete a new album full of songs which chart the rise and fall of a recent relationship. But the more Ria progresses, the more she’s drawn back to the darkness of her troubled past, until we’re not sure where memory ends and reality begins.
Maimuna added: “Between the release of my new EP and my new concept album ‘Manic Street Creature’, I have brought my background as a recording artist into the theatre sphere, tackling the challenging subjects of co-dependency and mental health. Ebbing and flowing between underscored spoken word and emotion-filled songs, I hope to take the audience on a musical journey that’s both entertaining and insightful.
“Leave them with the songs in their head, and wanting to book a session with their therapist.” While several shows are already sold-out, remaining tickets for ‘Manic Street Creature’ are available. Ticket holders for the October 26th date will also witness a free post-show Q&A. Hosted by the Olivier Award nominee and Evening Standard Award winner Tyrone Huntley (‘Jesus Christ Superstar’), the panel includes Maimuna Memon, Tanya Reynolds(‘Sex Education’), Nell Hudson (‘Outlander’), Dan Gillespie Sells of The Feeling, and Jane Caro, Associate Director for the Mental Health Foundation.
Maimuna first made her mark in the theatre world when she wrote music and lyrics for the sell-out gig theatre show ‘Electrolyte’ which took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm in 2018 and 2019. Since then, she has been nominated for an Olivier Award for her knockout performance in Richard Hawley’s ‘Standing At The Sky’s Edge’, and has continued to write music for theatre in tandem with her recording and acting career.
This is where she has found her niche. Following on from its sell out and multi-award winning Edinburgh run, she brings the explosive ‘Manic Street Creature’ to Southwark Playhouse Boroughfor a limited run.
