Review: BURY THE HATCHET - Southwark Playhouse Borough (25/08/26)

Actor-muso trio reexamine Lizzie Borden case with terrific U.S. folk swagger

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Did she really do it? Is she innocent? Who did commit these unspeakable acts if not? These are all prevalent questions that, even almost a century and a half later, still surround the infamous cold case that is the 1892 Lizzie Borden trial as, although she was found not guilty on all charges due to a lack of evidence, the conversation still continues long after her acquittal, and even today there is no certainty whatsoever as to whether or not Borden really “took an axe, and gave her mother 40 whacks”, as alluded to in the famous rhyme.

We all know by now that Fall River, Massachusetts native Lizzie Borden was stood ‘accused’ of murdering her father and stepmother with a hatchet, dealing out what many would deem an excessive number of blows to various parts of their anatomy, killing the pair of them. What truly makes this a hugely compelling case is the manner in which the trial played out, the entirely circumstantial evidence that is in play, and the unreliability of many of the testimonies on the side of the defence. This leads ultimately to a “not guilty” verdict from the jury, and the charges being dismissed, however that certainly hasn’t stopped the flurry of speculation in the following years, decades and centuries, making it one of the most documented American murder cases.

Company of "Bury The Hatchet" (credit: Alex Brenner)

Of course the well known children’s rhyme wildly exaggerates the number of blows that were dealt out to Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother, with the real total being closer to 11, as well as the 19 afforded to her father Andrew, and as referenced in the title of this play “Bury The Hatchet”, it wasn’t an axe at all that was used to commit these grisly murders. All of this is explored in every iota of grisly detail by “Out of the Forest Productions” in this new retelling of the events surrounding one of the most heavily publicised trials in US judiciary history, and it is clear that these guys have done their homework, as the attention to detail throughout the whole process is truly staggering.

With a cast of three actor-musicians occupying the stage, the story is given an old American folk feel, giving the vibes of a cross between "Dead Outlaw" and "Sweeney Todd", and the music is sporadic but very well incorporated throughout the show. Through violinist Lawrence Boothman, guitarist David Leopold, and mandolin player Sasha Wilson, we are taken on a unique, fully immersive journey, in this marvellous new telling of the story of Lizzie's parents' murders, through a delightful mix of narrational and representational action, music performances, and some wonderfully camp, kooky character work by means of costume pieces like hats and bonnets.

Company of "Bury The Hatchet" (credit: Alex Brenner)

Our three actors, all also hugely talent musicians working together quite harmoniously, were equally able to slip seamlessly in and out of the main body of the story, in particular, the constant changing back and forth between different characters from both Boothman and Leopold was spectacular, and the three of them all worked off one another tremendously well. Not only this, but the way in which real details from the case were used was finely balanced, reinforcing all the well known details whilst also debunking commonly believed myths about it. This is never done in a condescending or pompous manner, rather it felt like we were being included in the trial itself, and sharing in Lizzie's highs and lows through the process, and even in its aftermath, as they share with us just how socially ostracised she remained, even into her later life.

One thing that will likely always be a constant about Borden's case is that it will keep people talking, especially as long as it remains an unsolved mystery, a state of affairs that is unlikely to change any time soon; "Bury The Hatchet" is true crime at its best, ticking all the boxes in how to breathe fresh new life into a story that has already been shared countless times. Where it stands out though, is in just how well it has been researched, and the degree to which it honours the original testimonies and first hand accounts of those who were there back in August of 1892, whilst also presenting them in a manner which is both gripping and hugely entertaining.

★★★★☆ (4*)

"Bury The Hatchet" runs at Southwark Playhouse Borough until the 5th of September (tickets)

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