Bury the Hatchet Review at the Edinburgh Fringe

True crime junkies, rejoice! Out of the Forest Theatre delivers a thrilling take on Lizzie Borden in Bury the Hatchet.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo by Reg Madison

What is Bury the Hatchet?

The year is 1892. Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother are found brutally murdered. Suspicion quickly falls on Lizzie; but did she really do it?

In Bury the Hatchet, Out of the Forest Theatre reopens the case with humor, inventive storytelling, and toe-tapping folk tunes. From the moment the show begins, with the strumming of the guitar and tuning of the violin, it’s clear you’re in for something special.

From slick lighting design (kudos to Will Alder) to dynamic staging from director Vicky Moran , the production moves at an energetic pace. David Leopold, Lawrence Boothman, and Sasha Wilson are engaging as they jump between characters (and hats....literally!) with precision and playfulness. Each actor shines in their own right, and together they form a tight ensemble. There’s no weak link here.

Wilson, who also penned the script, leads the cast with confidence, guiding the audience through a series of twists and turns. She also delivers a great gut wrenching scream. The costuming is another standout, curated by Helen Stewart; clean, bold, and visually effective.

There is room for a few more chops (see what I did there?!) The courtroom scenes slow the show’s otherwise brisk momentum. Condensing them into a musical montage, perhaps with an additional folk number, could tighten the pacing and heighten the emotional impact. There’s also potential to delve deeper into Lizzie’s life post-trial, which is only briefly touched upon. I'm greedy, I want to know more!

Is Bury the Hatchet Worth Seeing?

Absolutely. This is bloody good fun! A clever, captivating retelling of a notorious true crime case. It’s a history lesson that doesn’t feel like one, and a Fringe gem not to be missed!

Ticket Information for Bury the Hatchet:

Bury the Hatchet runs until the 25th of August at Pleasance Dome (Queen Dome), Bristo Square, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Show time is at 3:50PM. Tickets can be accessed through the Edinburgh Fringe website.

Venue: Queen Dome ay Pleasance Dome

Date of Review: 2nd of August 2025

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: I was invited to this show in exchange for an honest review. My review was not influenced by the invite.