Blood Relations & Other Plays

Rating:
Summary: Lizzie Borden, Did she or didn't she?
Review: Blood Relations is a play in two acts written by Canadian playwright Sharon Pollock. The play deals with the life and tribulations of Lizzie Borden. History knows that she (like OJ Simpson) was put on trial for murder and acquitted. The play tries to answer the question of "did she" or "didn't she" do it. The play begins 10 years after the murders of Lizzie's Borden's parents. She is entertaining her actress "friend" from Boston when conversations leads to the guilt or innocents of Lizzie. Lizzie tells the actress "you know me better than anyone -- you tell me." Lizzie then suggest they play a little game where the actress plays Lizzie and Lizzie will play the part of Bridget the maid (the only other person home at the time of the murders). At this time the play moves back in time (10 years, just before the murders) where the actress becomes and plays the part of Lizzie and Lizzie playing the maid. The play then moves through all the historical events and possible motives that could have lead Lizzie to commit the murders or not. The two characters do not stay with their new characters throughout the play, at time they move back and forth between their original characters, with Lizzie coaching the actress and helping here to understand Lizzie's actions, thoughts and desires. This is an outstanding play. It has some comical elements, along with its drama, it is very suspenseful and will keep you on the edge of your seat until at the very end of the play, when the to main characters go back to their original roles and the actress asks for a final time "Did you do it Lizzie, did you?" But, you will have to read it to find out the answer.

Rating:
Summary: Lizzie Borden, Did she or didn't she?
Review: Blood Relations is a play in two acts written by Canadian playwright Sharon Pollock. The play deals with the life and tribulations of Lizzie Borden. History knows that she (like OJ Simpson) was put on trial for murder and acquitted. The play tries to answer the question of "did she" or "didn't she" do it. The play begins 10 years after the murders of Lizzie's Borden's parents. She is entertaining her actress "friend" from Boston when conversations leads to the guilt or innocents of Lizzie. Lizzie tells the actress "you know me better than anyone -- you tell me." Lizzie then suggest they play a little game where the actress plays Lizzie and Lizzie will play the part of Bridget the maid (the only other person home at the time of the murders). At this time the play moves back in time (10 years, just before the murders) where the actress becomes and plays the part of Lizzie and Lizzie playing the maid. The play then moves through all the historical events and possible motives that could have lead Lizzie to commit the murders or not. The two characters do not stay with their new characters throughout the play, at time they move back and forth between their original characters, with Lizzie coaching the actress and helping here to understand Lizzie's actions, thoughts and desires. This is an outstanding play. It has some comical elements, along with its drama, it is very suspenseful and will keep you on the edge of your seat until at the very end of the play, when the to main characters go back to their original roles and the actress asks for a final time "Did you do it Lizzie, did you?" But, you will have to read it to find out the answer.