Summary
Act I
The play begins on a Sunday afternoon in the Borden house parlor, set in 1902 in Fall River, Massachusetts. Miss Lizzie enters carrying tea for the Actress, who complains about the monotonous tea and toast routine while Lizzie struggles with the correct way to serve tea. Lizzie expresses concern that Fall River might be too dull for the Actress, who insists she's there to visit Lizzie. She provides an update on her rehearsals and mentions overhearing children singing a song in the alley about Lizzie allegedly killing her parents.
Lizzie inquires if the Actress defended her, but the Actress admits she simply closed the window. They play a record and dance while the Actress tries to determine if Miss Lizzie appears jowly, as had been noted in news reports during the trial. The Actress complains that Lizzie never shares anything, especially when Lizzie does not answer whether she committed the crime.
Lizzie muses whether the Actress's success is partly due to her association with a notorious accused murderer like herself. The Actress is offended, but Lizzie points out that, even ten years later, people still discuss her and the crime. Lizzie mentions that Emma keeps asking, "Did you?" The Actress begins to mimic Emma, engaging in an imaginary conversation with Lizzie's older sister.
The Actress expresses a desire to know the truth. Lizzie proposes a game where the Actress will portray Miss Lizzie, and Lizzie will take on the role of Bridget, the family maid from 1892.
The scene shifts to Lizzie's murder trial that occurred a decade earlier. The Defense questions Lizzie in her role as Bridget, and she describes the Borden family, including a visit from Harry, Mrs. Borden's brother. This memory transitions to another flashback at the Borden home. Harry has arrived, clearly seeking money either for himself or his sister, Mr. Borden's second wife. Lizzie had previously thrown Harry out during his last visit. He questions Bridget about the bread crusts, and she explains they are for Lizzie's pigeons. Harry comments that Lizzie seems to prefer animals to people. The Actress, now portraying Lizzie, enters as Harry leaves to split wood.
Bridget recounts a conversation between Mr. Borden and his brother-in-law. Lizzie calls Harry a "stupid bugger," shocking Bridget with her coarse language. Lizzie expresses concern that Harry is only there to extract more money from her father. Emma enters, complaining about the noise disrupting her sleep. She hints that she has overheard Lizzie's foul language. Emma does not want to confront the grim reality of their family's financial ruin or Harry's schemes to obtain more of their father's money. Lizzie tries to coax her into discussing it.
Mrs. Borden, the girls' stepmother, comes down for breakfast and questions Bridget about Harry's presence and whether Lizzie is aware of it. She concludes that Lizzie is quite spoiled. There is evident tension between Mrs. Borden and Lizzie, primarily concerning Mr. Borden's finances. Mr. Borden appears, and they discuss Lizzie and a widower, Johnny MacLeod, who is interested in her. Her father urges Emma to speak with Lizzie. Emma leaves angrily, refusing to act as the family's mediator and communicator.
The scene transitions to Dr. Patrick and Lizzie conversing outside, where she playfully suggests they run away together, despite him being married. Harry passes by and tells Lizzie to come in for lunch, even though they have just finished breakfast.
The scene shifts again as Bridget and Lizzie discuss the expectation that Lizzie should marry and establish her own home. Meanwhile, Harry informs Mrs. Borden that Lizzie has been spending time with the doctor. Mrs. Borden...
(This entire section contains 1314 words.)
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and Harry confront Mr. Borden, accusing him of being unable to control his daughter. Mr. Borden says he will speak with her.
The scene returns to the courtroom, where Lizzie reflects on her childhood, feeling that she was never quite good enough and lacked the innate qualities of womanhood. The Defense questions whether Lizzie could have wielded the ax that killed her parents.
The scene shifts to a conversation between Mr. Borden and Lizzie, as he attempts to convince her to consider the widower MacLeod. "He's looking for a housekeeper, not a wife," Lizzie argues. Mrs. Borden joins in, and they discuss Lizzie leaving the house and the dowry she would receive if she marries. Mr. Borden slaps Lizzie. Her stepmother reminds her of her financial dependence on her father and that she cannot expect to inherit a third of his estate upon his death.
Harry and Mr. Borden discuss Harry's business. He wants the unused farm put in Mrs. Borden's name and leased to him. Harry plans to conduct horse auctions and offer buggy rides on the property, giving Borden twenty percent of the profits. Unbeknownst to them, Lizzie is listening and confronts her father. Borden's anger flares, and he directs it at Lizzie's pigeons. Taking the hatchet that Harry brought in after splitting wood, Borden strikes it into the table. With the ax in hand, Borden declares he will deal with the birds. The act concludes in the present with Lizzie expressing her love for the pigeons.
Act II
The action resumes with Lizzie and the Actress reenacting past events. The next day, Emma informs Lizzie that she's leaving for a short trip. Lizzie accuses Emma of trying to escape reality. She emphasizes that Harry plans to transfer ownership of the farm to their stepmother, who will reside there, effectively excluding them from their father's will, leaving them with only a modest allowance.
The scene shifts back to the courtroom. The Defense returns to question Lizzie about the events of that day. Lizzie recounts going for a walk, eating pears, returning home, discovering her father's body, and calling for Bridget.
The story then flashes back to that day. Mrs. Borden comes downstairs for breakfast, soon joined by Mr. Borden. Harry stops by and is invited to go to town with Mr. Borden. Aware of their plan to sign papers in town, Lizzie tries to convince her father to stay.
The scene transitions to a conversation between Dr. Patrick and Lizzie. Lizzie remarks that she could die if she wished. As they walk, she plans to show him her birds, but the cage is empty. She poses a hypothetical: if he could save only one of two people from an accident, whom would he choose? Then she asks if he met Attila the Hun and had the chance to kill him, would he do it? Dr. Patrick admits he would fight in a war but feels uneasy with her questions. Lizzie criticizes her stepmother but doesn't receive the support she seeks and accuses Patrick of cowardice.
The scene shifts to Mrs. Borden and Lizzie, who talks about her father killing her birds with an ax. Uncomfortable, Mrs. Borden decides to go upstairs. Lizzie asks her to take her clean clothes upstairs and put them in her room. As Mrs. Borden climbs the stairs, Lizzie follows, describing how she would commit a murder as they exit.
Lizzie returns with a hatchet hidden in her basket of clothes and pleads with Bridget to help, instructing her to claim that someone broke in and murdered Mrs. Borden.
The scene changes, and Mr. Borden is now at home. Lizzie speaks about her affection for him and the ring she once gifted him. She encourages him to rest, and as he does, she approaches him with the hatchet. The stage dims.
In the present, Emma and Lizzie discuss the Actress. Emma finds their relationship "disgraceful." Once more, Emma asks Lizzie if she committed the crime. Irritated by Emma's persistent questioning, Lizzie threatens her with "something sharp." Lizzie argues that if she is guilty, then Emma shares the blame, as Emma raised and taught her everything. The play concludes with the Actress concluding that Lizzie is guilty of the murders. Lizzie, however, directs her accusation towards the Actress and the audience.
