A vivid exploration of female friendshipReview by David O'Donnell 25th Jul 2026A staged reading can be a satisfying experience, allowing the script to shine, and so it is with Heartbreaker Productions’ performance of Mia Oudes’ bittersweet tale of long-term friendship, The Nine Paintings for Maisie Grey. Abby Lyons is delightful as Maisie, who is bright and mischievous, flawed and passionate, vivid in her spontaneity. Oudes keeps the narrative advancing, the dialogue buzzing and the performance really comes alive when the tensions between Maisie and Harriet build and bubble over. The Nine Paintings for Maisie Grey comes to BATS following a nomination for Playmarket’s Playwrights b4 25 award. I hope The Nine Paintings for Maisie Grey gets the full production it deserves.