A FORMER Playboy model and Chelsea’s “hottest fan” is set to make her debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Maria Liman, who has previously hit the headlines over her support for Chelsea – including allegedly being told to cover her boobs by security at Stamford Bridge due to her skimpy outfit – moved to London in 2019 to pursue performing arts studies.
The 30-year-old already has a list of acting credits in her native Russia and graduated from East 15 Acting School in Loughton, Essex in June.
Now, the former Playboy Playmate of the Year in Ukraine, has set up her own company, Liman Productions, to bring to life the show she has been working on for just four months.
Two Mums, a collaboration between Liman, actor Louise Amos and writer Shaun Prendergast, explores the themes of single parenthood, surrogacy and co-parenting.
The show is inspired by Amos’ lived experience of miscarriage and fertility treatment, travelling across Europe in her quest for a baby.
It follows Natasha, played by Liman, and Lucinda, played by Amos, as they embark on a journey fraught with the perils of unconventional routes to parenthood.
After years of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant, Lucinda is at the end of her tether when a chance encounter with cash-strapped Natasha presents a possible solution.
But what begins as a simple business arrangement becomes more difficult as the two women negotiate dodgy donors, dark secrets, and depths of feeling neither were expecting.
Speaking about the show today, Liman said: “Both a comedy and a tragedy, Two Mums doesn’t shy away from pain but takes a humorous journey through the scenarios of those struggling to get – and stay – pregnant.”
Liman’s aim is for the audience to feel the emotional experience of wanting to become a parent without being in a relationship.
She hopes the show will also give a voice to those who have lived through similar experiences and help them feel less alone.
She added: “It’s not just some imagination or tragic story, we wanted to put Louise’s experience at the heart of the story.
“It’s very difficult to be a lone parent, with the mental health and financial problems that can happen.
“I wanted the audience to see and think about [the reality of] co-parenting when there is no sexual relationship, but people want to raise a child.
“So many parents can have one kid (sic).”
Liman arrived in Edinburgh on Tuesday and has quickly settled, despite being kept busy with rehearsals.
She said: “It’s such a romantic and beautiful city with all these creative people from all around the world.
“I love the accent, but it can be difficult to understand. I was in a taxi and couldn’t understand the driver.
“But it is really easy to make new friends. When I finish my show, I will definitely come back.”
Liman has previously been referred to as “Chelsea’s hottest fan,” and will have to be away from her beloved Blues whilst busy on stage.
She hopes to keep up with the matches she will miss but looks forward to being back at Stamford Bridge on her return to London.
She said: “I hope when I come back, Chelsea will do better. They need my support.”
Liman also has high hopes for the future of her show once she returns to the capital.
She said: “It would be a dream to do the show in the West End. I would love to take it further.”
Two Mums opens tomorrow at venue Greenside @ George Street at 9pm and runs daily until 10 August.
