Fringe review: SELF-RAISING, Graeae Theatre Company - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: Tiu Makkonen

Self-Raising is a true life story about growing up Deaf in a hearing family. Jenny Sealey (award-winning Artistic Director of disabled-led theatre company Graeae) tells her own story. This one-woman show promises to break your heart and put it back together again.

All families have secrets but when Jenny found out hers, she had to keep it for a long time.

Sealey is a beautifully honest, funny storyteller. Drawing us in with tales of her siblings and parents, it is obvious how fond of them she is and how close a bond they have. So much so that when we find out what the family secret is, we are shocked and outraged on her behalf. So many questions....What? Who? When? Where? How? Really?

The content is matter of fact, reflective and compellingly addictive. In addition, we have photographs too, we're practically part of the family by the end, so caught up in this household and their incredible secret.

It's also a breath of fresh air to see that the show is signed, audio described and captioned throughout, making it more easily accessible for those that need it without any restrictions. (Edinburgh Fringe, please take note!)

An amazing life story from an amazing woman.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Self-Raising plays in the Queen Dome at Pleasance Dome at 12.30pm until 27 August.