Bury the Hatchet: Lizzie Borden’s infamous story comes to Southwark Playhouse

Bury the Hatchet, a new musical inspired by the infamous Lizzie Borden murders, comes to Southwark Playhouse in August 2026, combining true crime, folk music, bluegrass and dark comedy.

The notorious Lizzie Borden case is getting a new musical treatment as Bury the Hatchet arrives at Southwark Playhouse Borough from 12 August to 5 September 2026.

In 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Their daughter, Lizzie Borden, was accused of killing them with an axe. Despite becoming the central suspect in the sensational case, she was ultimately acquitted. More than a century later, the mystery surrounding the murders continues to fascinate audiences.

Created by Out of the Forest Theatre, Bury the Hatchet combines a courtroom drama with the atmosphere of a live folk and bluegrass gig. Written by Sasha Wilson and directed by Vicky Moran, the musical features Wilson alongside Lawrence Boothman and David Leopold.

Blending murder ballads, live music and dark humour, the show looks beyond the question of whether Lizzie Borden was guilty. It also explores the enduring fascination with true crime and the ways stories about women, murder and scandal become cultural legends.

Following its presentation at the Edinburgh Festival, Bury the Hatchet offers London theatre audiences a fresh and musical perspective on one of America's most famous murder mysteries.

Watch Bury the Hatchet in rehearsal here: