Lottie Plachett Took A Hatchet is inspired by the true story of Lizzie Borden, which shocked America in 1892. Borden was tried and acquitted of the axe murders of her father and stepmother. After her acquittal no one else was ever tried for the crimes. The case has been covered within pop culture many times over the years. And inspired a playground rhyme, which begins, ‘Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks’… There is a similar rhyme within this show with the title of the play included.
The world has become obsessed with true crime in recent years, me included. There are countless documentaries and podcasts to choose from that focus on crimes committed. And so I was intrigued when I heard about this production, and my intrigue grew when I saw it would be a queer retelling.
In this production, Lottie Plachett (Lauren Lopez) is accused of the deaths of her father and stepmother. We begin with Lottie in court, Judge Ballsack is presiding. We then go back in time as Lottie reminisces. Lottie is in love with her father (Ryan W Garcia) – yes IN love with! Her mother has passed away, and she has a new stepmother named Barfa (played by the show’s writer Justin Elizabeth Sayre). Lottie also has a younger brother called Pansy (Tom Lenk).
The show cites itself as a queer feminist retelling, something which I question. Throughout the show, Lottie’s father is homophobic towards his Pansy, going so far as to have his pelvis removed. Telling everyone it was necessary to save his life. But actually hoping this would make him straight. And as for feminism there is an absence of strong female characters within the show. Lottie is a woman that’s never left her father’s house and spends all her time with her birds, lusting over her father. So, yes, whilst the show is very camp and the character of Barfa is akin to that of a pantomime dame to brand it a queer feminist retelling feels rather a bold claim.
The script is filled with crude humour which reminds me of the humour found in an episode of ‘Family Guy’. There were a couple of jokes which were quite on the cusp, one of them in particular emitted groans and gasps of disgust from the audience.
In short the show is gloriously camp, light hearted, peppered with some funny moments but heavy on the crudity in others. It’s absurd and filled to the brim with innuendos, I’m sure you’ll either love it or hate it. But the only way you can find out if Lottie Plachett Took A Hatchett, is if you go and see the show for yourself!
{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}
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