"In real life, my actual brother is a genius. Title aside, everything in this show is fictional (that doesn’t mean it isn’t true)."- Debris Stevenson
Debris Stevenson is a dyslexic writer, Grime poet, hybrid actor, and pro-raver. With the community interest company she founded and artistically directed for six years, The Mouthy Poets, Stevenson raised over £300,000 to develop young talent. She has carved out a unique space where poetry, grime, and theatre unite, creating narratives that resonate deeply with modern audiences. Her latest work, My Brother's a Genius, is a powerful demonstration of this—a play that defies 'risk aversion' while offering an engaging exploration of neurodiversity through the story of two neurodiverse twins learning to navigate a world which was not designed for them.
The Genius of My Brother's a Genius
The play was developed in collaboration with neurodivergent members of the National Youth Theatre (NYT), the deliberate decision to involve neurodivergent individuals in the creative process is impactful; authentically capturing the complexities and intricacies of neurodiversity. Stevenson’s approach, informed by her commitment to marginalized communities, ensures that the narrative is not only authentic but also deeply relatable. She understands that to tell a story well, especially one that involves identities and experiences different from the norm, the voices of those who live those experiences must be at the centre of the narrative. As she explains, “Following the parts of ourselves we had been told to fight is a central part of it.”
The participation of neurodiverse talent ensured that the characters' experiences were grounded, exploring the varied ways in which neurodivergence can manifest. It also provided a platform for neurodivergent voices to be heard and celebrated, in both content and creation. This approach is a signature of Stevenson's broader artistic philosophy, which emphasizes inclusivity, collaboration, and the importance of giving space to marginalized voices. “My Brother’s A Genius is part of a bigger project, Finding the Right Words with Hannah Silver, who’s amazing” With working closely with neurodiverse individuals, Stevenson not only enriched the narrative of My Brother's a Genius but also highlighted the importance of representation in the arts.
Exploring Nuance
My Brother's a Genius delves into the multifaceted nature of neurodiversity; focusing on the lives of twins who share the title of neurodiversity but experience it in entirely different ways. One of the twins is seen as a genius, the other as an idiot, and Stevenson explores “how these perceptions become internalized—the light and dark of that.” Stevenson challenges the stigmatized traits often ascribed to neurodivergent individuals, portraying the twins as fully realized people with their own strengths, weaknesses, desires, and fears.
One of the most compelling aspects of the play is how it moves beyond the black-and-white thinking that often comes with neurodiversity. Despite being a comedy, Stevenson’s play offers a layered and realistic portrayal, balancing the heaviness of neurodiversity stigmatization with moments of light, fun, and emotional depth reminiscent of Roald Dahl's storytelling. The twins navigate a world that is not designed for them but which they nonetheless are guided by their unique perspectives and abilities. The play's title, My Brother's a Genius, is a provocative statement, engaging the audience to reassess what it means to be a "genius." Through the twins' story, Stevenson expands our understanding of intellect and competence, challenging the narrow definitions that often dominate societal discourse. “If the world labels you a genius,” Stevenson reflects, “you’re given this lordid status, seen as incredible, confident, and full of high esteem. But it's also deeply lonely and isolating—none of us can even conceive how intelligent you are.” Similarly, she explores the other twin's opposing experience, noting that “being ascribed the idiot role gives you this really liberating ability to stop caring what other people think, but it's also deeply traumatizing to feel that way about yourself, constantly defining yourself in opposition to that.” Those differences this brother and sister face mean they both feel very alone in different ways but have a kind of togetherness and when they are a team there is an absence of aloneness that they are fighting to retain despite their differences.
A Very Fresh Play
In a world that is increasingly recognizing the importance of diversity in all its forms, My Brother's a Genius is a timely and necessary work. It challenges audiences to rethink their assumptions about neurodiversity, pushing back against the stigmas and stereotypes that too often define public understanding. Through her poetic, musical, and theatrical skills, Debris Stevenson has crafted a narrative that is as entertaining as it is enlightening, offering a lens through which to view the complexities of the human mind. As she succinctly puts it, “It’s inspired by real people in the sense of the seeds of truth, but in terms of facts and events, it’s entirely fictional.”
My Brother’s a Genius is showing this Saturday, the 17th, at The National Youth Theatre.
Words by @hteettar
Images by @ishashahphotography & Helen Murray
