Credit: Finn Carlow
Right then, pull up a pew – we’re going somewhere deep this morning. Not your usual Fringe frolic, oh no. This one? It got me right in the tear ducts.
Big Little Sister is the debut solo show from writer-performer Holly Gifford – and love, it’s got more layers than a lasagne made by a drama therapist. Holly’s stepping out at the Edinburgh Fringe with a gorgeously gutsy solo play that doesn’t so much tug at the heartstrings as give them a proper strum.
Now, let’s talk shadows. Specifically: the kind cast by someone you love. This darkly funny, whip-smart piece dives into what it’s like growing up alongside a sibling with disabilities – and all the emotional stuff that comes with it. But forget the sugar-coated “she’s such an angel” stuff. Holly’s not here for your neat little narratives.
She brings surreal storytelling, spoken word, multimedia, and even dialogue voiced through her brother’s communication aid. I mean… goosebumps. Real ones. The show’s backed by Keep It Fringe and it’s a proper love letter – or maybe a protest song – for the so-called “glass children” (you know, the ones who are quietly coping while everyone else is coping louder).
But here’s the kicker – Holly asks the big questions. If she’s using her brother’s voice to tell this story, is she giving him space or speaking over him? It’s brave, it’s clever, and it’s deeply personal. You don’t sit back and watch this one – you lean in, and you feel it.
Directed by the fearless Scarlett Stitt (you might remember her from the glorious George Michael grief-clown-cabaret ‘Kissing A Fool’), the show’s in good hands. Together, Holly and Scarlett are pushing the boundaries of what solo theatre can be – mixing honesty, humour, and a rawness that could crack you open if you let it.
Add to that the quiet powerhouse support from Stoke The Embers, Honey Theatre, Soho Theatre Edinburgh Lab, and the National Youth Theatre, and you’ve got something that feels more like a movement than a monologue.
📍 Big Little Sister plays at ZOO Playground (Playground 2), Venue 186
🕥 10:35am daily (except 11th & 18th), 5–24 Aug (Previews 1–3 Aug)
🎟️ Tickets from £11–£13
🎯 Age 12+
📞 Box Office: 0131 356 0349
📲 Info & bookings: Fringe page
📸 Insta: @hollylaragifford
Audience feedback? Oh, darling – they’re sobbing in the toilets and recommending it to their mates. One said: “There was no performance, only presence.” Another called it: “A beautiful, intimate and hilarious sharing of sibling love.” I’m not crying, you are.
Pop it on your morning Fringe list – and bring tissues. Grace x
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