My Brother’s A Genius is the effervescent creation of playwright, Grime-poet, multi-disciplinary artist, neurodivergent academic and pro-raver Debris Stevenson. A collaboration between Sheffield Theatres, Theatre Centre and the National Youth Theatre, the play is a multisensory experience developed through conversations with hundreds of young people across the UK. Its care for neurodivergent youth is evident in the production’s ethos of accessibility.
On the day of the performance, I was pleasantly surprised to see the quiet space with beanbags outside the entrance and to be offered a stim toy. Ear defenders and a visual story guide were also available. The set design featured a central piece: a swing attached to a metal framework, a cerulean light-blue cloud-print curtain bordered with modular blocks resembling the windows of warm-lit apartments. A voice-over explains that we are free to fidget, come and go, and use any access resources.
