My Brother’s a Genius
By Debris Stevenson
Poetry, grime and movement unite in this explosive new play about learning to fall, fail and find our own ways to fly.
My Brother’s a Genius by Debris Stevenson will tour to UK schools and theatres in Spring 2026, in a major new co-production with Sheffield Theatres and National Youth Theatre.
Daisy and Luke are twins navigating life in a high-rise estate, where ambition and self-doubt collide. Both twins have labels thrust upon them: Daisy the “idiot” and Luke the “genius”. But will their bond and shared dream of flying launch them up together or crash them apart?
Based on conversations with young people across the UK and created and written by Debris Stevenson (Poet in da Corner, Royal Court), My Brother’s a Genius combines poetry, grime and movement to explore neurodivergence, sibling rivalry, and the weight of expectations.
Photo by Chris Saunders
2026 Tour Dates
Sheffield Theatres
Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse | Wed 28 Jan – Sat 14 Feb 2026
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
The Round | Thurs 5 March – Fri 6 March 2026
Leeds Playhouse
Barber Studio, Sat 14 March 2026
National Youth Theatre, London
Thurs 19 - Sat 21 March 2026
Unit 79/80 County Mall, Crawley
Fri 27 - Sat 28 March 2026
Debris Stevenson is our current Resident Writer. Over the next year, My Brother’s a Genius will be developed through conversations with young people in schools and community groups across the nation through our Future Makers process.
A dyslexic writer, Grime poet, hybrid-actor and pro-raver, Debris Stevenson’s work explores the intersectional, unexpected, and unjust – often whilst making her audiences dance, question, and laugh.
“a fantastic streak of new writing programmed by Sheffield Theatres, co-producing with Theatre Centre”
My Brother’s a Genius - Resources
We’ve created a range of curriculum and access resources to help audiences and schools engage with the show. Audiences are welcome to download our Visual Story and Sonic Story. Schools who’ve hosted a performance or seen the show in a venue can access our educational resources below:
Cast
Jess Senanayake - Daisy
Tyrese Walters - Luke
Creatives
Creator & Writer - Debris Stevenson
Director - Eleanor Manners
Composer & Sound Designer - Jammz
Designer - Erin Guan
Lighting Designer - Jess Brigham
Dramaturg - Rob Watt
Movement Associate - Emily Corless
Production Manager & Sound Associate - Herbe Walmsley
Company Stage Manager - Katie Bosomworth
Artwork - Rebecca Pitt, with photography by Helen Murry
The Production
The spring 2026 tour is presented in co-production with Theatre Centre, Sheffield Theatres and National Youth Theatre. Originally seed commissioned by the National Youth Theatre (NYT), My Brother's a Genius has been commissioned for full production by Theatre Centre and further developed through our acclaimed Future Makers process.
Debris has worked with young people, NYT members and educators in schools across England to ensure the world of the play is rooted in the world of young people today.
My Brother’s a Genius 2026
The development of My Brother’s a Genius has been generously supported by Creative Crawley, Stanley Arts London, and the Sylvia Waddilove Foundation.
“entertains, informs and engages with humour and energy”
“an eye-opening piece for all ages, providing an insight into life as someone who is neurodiverse in a way we haven’t seen since The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
“an idiosyncratic and infectious drama”
“an incredible innovative and creative show that is as ambitious as it is enjoyable.”
