Bury the Hatchet at the Hope Theatre, London.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Lizzie Borden has been the subject of ballets, a full-length opera and films. The events that took place over a century ago continue to engage the public. Sasha Wilson and her co-creators have fashioned a concise theatre piece, less musical, more a play with music.
It is beyond Brechtian, as the actors often break character, not only to comment on the event of the murder, but also to comment on themselves and contemporary happenings. At times this interrupts our emotional involvement with the piece, but that seems to be intentional. A straightforward telling of the tale might have had more emotional impact, but this is multi-layered storytelling by three charismatic actors. A story that is still riddled with mystery as to what actually took place on that bloody night.
Wilson is an engaging performer, she sings with a warm voice and is a fine actress and writer. She is ably supported by David Leopold and Joseph Prowen and all three play a range of characters.
The folk quality of the music fits neatly with the unfolding of the events which are complex. The contemporary telling of the story now posits that Lizzie may have been in a lesbian relationship with her best friend, and that the discovery of their relationship was the impetus for the murders. The truth we will never know.
The Hope Theatre is one of a growing number of pub venues providing quality theatre in London. Both Wilson, her collaborators and artistic director of the Hope, Matthew Parker, should be congratulated on their endeavour.
Leon Ferguson
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