Following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, Joshua (and me) is now touring the country for the next four weeks. This single-hander, written, composed and performed by Rachel Hammond, tells the story of Hannah who has grown up in Blackpool with her Mum and brothers Ben and Joshua, with Grandad also nearby. Joshua is autistic. Working with the charity SIBS, Hammond has created a heartwarming yet equally gut wrenching piece of theatre that respectfully and importantly highlights what it is like to have a sibling with autism, superbly directed by Lucy Jane Atkinson.

In a black box theatre such as the Old Joint Stock, the bright set pieces by Carly Altberg make an impact. From the circular rugs to the multi-coloured building blocks, each area of the stage is defined and structured, much like the world that Joshua is most comfortable living in. On the stage left side of the space, we have a ‘music room’ whereby Hannah not only exercises her hobby (albeit initially only when Joshua isn’t in the house) but also creates a set of rules to a steady musical beat - played on loop - in order to remind her how Joshua likes things. This is merely something that Hannah chooses to do in order to remind herself how to be the best sister she can be to her beloved brother in his everchanging world.

Opening when Hannah is seven years old, the show documents her life until she goes to university. Hammond’s character progression across the years as Hannah is seamless and on top of this, she also plays the other members of her family too using a series of expressions. Because of this, we get to know the characters incredibly well and warm to each of them and their shared experience. Who needs a cast of five when you have someone as talented as Rachel Hammond?!

Hannah clearly adores her brother but there are a couple of points during the performance when she expresses her feelings of being secondary due to Joshua’s enhanced needs. These snap comments are retracted as easily as they shared, showing Hannah’s internal conflict. So when she eventually does go to university and realises she can do “anything”, her light shines brightest.

Joshua (and me) is not self indulgent in any way and whilst the focus is on Hannah, the piece does not ask for sympathy. It provides an alternative perspective into neurodiversity from one of the closest sources - a sibling. This is a hugely powerful and impactful piece of which everyone will be able to take something from, even if you are not able to relate directly.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Ell

Tour dates and ticket information for Joshua (and me) can be found here.