In 1869, Esther Lowden had a house built in Charlottetown, P.E.I., for herself and her daughters. More than 150 years later, she has to solve a murder mystery in the same building. Lowden is the main character and detective in “The Body and the Belvedere,” a play set in the Haviland Club, which was originally the real Lowden’s home. “She was a remarkable woman,” said playwright Mark Belfry. Lowden, a businesswoman in 19th century P.E.I., died in 1896 and her home served as a base of operations for the U.S. Consulate and the United Services Officers Club before it became the Haviland Club in 1997. Belfry, who previously served as president of the club, decided to make a play set in the 1870s that features Lowden. “I had this vision and I spent a week developing an outline to see if the idea worked,” he said. “I felt it did work and I should write it. I woke up at four one morning and started writing.” The play debuted in May 2025, using the ballroom of the Haviland Club as its setting and incorporating P.E.I. history. They plan to stage it again in October. “People like a murder mystery,” Belfry said. “P.E.I. has discovered how to use our fascinating history and beauty to entertain.” Going forward, Belfry hopes to use the Haviland Club to put on more public performances. “The Body and the Belvedere” will run at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15, 17 and 18. Tickets are $45. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
