UK Theatre Network

Rebecca Peyton’s sister is dead. She was murdered during a work assignment for the BBC. Kate was sent to Somalia – the most dangerous country in the world – after only 4 ½ days of preparation, six weeks would be about normal. Although Kate had some reservations about this trip she felt that she had to go because her commitment was in doubt after having declined two assignments in Iraq. Now there is an inquest regarding the BBC’s role in Kate’s death but Rebecca is not interested. What does it matter? Her sister is dead, there is no consolation.

This is a very personal account of Rebecca Peyton’s grief and anger following her sister’s death seven years ago. Peyton recounts the days when she learnt that her sister had been shot and her 18-month period of drinking and partying in an attempt to get away from the painful truth that her sister was dead. The 75 minutes would be hard to bear if it was not for Peyton’s complete lack of pathos and her sense of humour. Rebecca Peyton decided within days of her sister’s murder that she wanted to make a show out of her experiences (it was initially going to be titled 101 Uses For A  Murdered Sister) and the end result is deeply moving and hard hitting. More than one member of the audience was weeping when Peyton recalled her shock at the news of her sister’s death and the reaction of her sister’s Congolese fiancé Roger who kept repeating “Ma femme est morte,” reliving his father’s death. Before it becomes unbearable Peyton quips about the reaction of other people to this tragedy: “They can see it on me, all over me, the sticky custard of death.”

Written by Peyton in collaboration with the show’s director, Martin M. Bartelt, this monologue is presented as if the actress was addressing the audience on a whim. When a mobile phone goes off Peyton invites the culprit to take the call and even offers to talk to the caller herself.

The show is followed by an informal post-show discussion in the bar. 

by Carolin Kopplin 

22 and 23 January 2012 - Evenings at 7.30pm.

Extra performances on

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 at 3.00pm
Wednesday, 25 January 2012 at 9.30pm
Tickets £13, £11 concessions
Booking opens on Wednesday 18 January 2012 at 9am

 For information and tickets, see:

http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/productions/2012/production-sometimes-i-laugh-like-my-sister.php

Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London, SW10 9ED