Review: Lovett, Fringe 2025

You might not know the name Eleanor Lovett, but you will know her partner in crime: Sweeney Todd. The notorious barber slices throats, and it’s his accomplice, Mrs Lovett, who turns the bodies into her deliciously macabre pies.

In this one-woman play by BoonDog Theatre, we get to see Mrs Lovett’s story, from a young woman just trying to get by, to the cunning, murderous villain we know her to be. Presented in the appropriately grim Pleasance Courtyard cellar, this is a dark and provocative piece of new writing.

A Strong Start

The play begins in darkness with the sound of a knife being sharpened on a whetstone. The sound is familiar yet alien, and it casts Mrs Lovett as the sinister character we’ve come to expect right from the outset. This isn’t a friendly, grandmotherly type; she’s a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. When the lights come up, we find ourselves with a recently widowed Mrs Lovett, brought to life with a captivating performance by actress Lucy Roslyn. The play then delves into her history through flashbacks and storytelling, showing us the cruel twists of fate that led her to where she is now.

Mrs Lovett’s life wasn’t easy, and London was a dangerous place for a young woman on her own. This play attempts to have us empathise with her, to see the human behind the monster. However, it’s a difficult task, especially with the bold opening, which frames her as an unrepentant villain. She ‘de-personalises’ the meat on the table in front of her, turning a body into a carcass and a carcass into a product. Even when life was cruel to her, she was still the villain, and this play makes no excuses for her.

Not for the faint of heart

This is a powerful play, a piece of hardcore, grim, dark theatre. Although it’s presented in the Pleasance Courtyard, which is often a space for light-hearted fun and frolics, there’s nothing light-hearted about Lovett. It’s a very serious, very intense piece of theatre. I found it a little jarring to watch a play like this in the middle of the day.

This show is not for everyone. If you’re looking for a dark comedy or anything even remotely light, this is not the show for you. However, if you enjoy dark psychological thrillers and if you’re a fan of the Sweeney Todd story and want a fresh take on the character, then Lovett is a must-see.

Overall

This is an intense, one-woman show from multi-award-winning BoonDog Theatre. It’s a very small production with a big impact. If you’re a fan of the Sweeney Todd character, this play will be right up your alley. It’s a bit of a weird one to see in the middle of the day, but it’s well worth it. Lovett is a powerful, unapologetic look at a villain, and it’s a show that will stick with you long after you’ve left the theatre.