My Brother’s a Genius review – neurodivergent twins’ dreams take flight in poetry, grime and dance

2026-02-01 - 14:36

Playhouse, Sheffield Two siblings growing up in a high-rise search for escape and liberation in this idiosyncratic and infectious drama with a beautiful script by Debris Stevenson Debris Stevenson is not only a playwright but a grime poet. That is apparent in this lyrical two-hander, full of imagination and whimsy, about twins whose close sibling ties bring intimacy, ambition and fantasies of taking flight. But it also sets their place in the world: he is the genius of the family and she, by comparison, is defined as the “idiot.” Both Daisy (Jess Senanayake) and Luke (Tyrese Walters) are neurodivergent, growing up in a high-rise block, aged 11 when we first meet them. She is navigating dyslexia and ADHD, trying to live authentically within herself while Luke is in denial of his autism, and it takes some time to see him as anything but a clever and supportive brother. Continue reading...