Holly’s big brother Patrick has cerebral palsy, severe learning disabilities, and is deaf and blind. From the moment she was born twenty-six years ago, she feels she has taken second place to him in her parents’ eyes. ‘Big Little Sister’ is her autobiographical account of growing up as one of the global ranks of ‘glass children’, siblings who grow up in the shadow of children with complex additional needs.

Subject notwithstanding, this is a funny, frank and unflinching script, economically constructed by creator and performer Holly Gifford. She reduces momentous life events to sound effects. She encapsulates outrageous examples of prejudice, ignorance, and discrimination in throw away quips. She sparkily celebrates the normality of her family’s entirely atypical experience as the siblings grow into adulthood, making light work of the ongoing challenges inherent in being a young carer. She skips past politics with barely a backward glance.

Gifford uses multimedia storytelling to present her story: animation, film footage, physical theatre, sketches and sound including dialogue voiced by her brother’s communication are seamlessly rolled together. Scarlett Stitt‘s direction keeps the pace up but also affords plenty of space to the heart-clutching moments that need it. The carefully constructed froth means we’re entirely on her side when she switches format again, smashing through the fourth wall to tell us about her deepest, darkest fear.

Many 26 year olds have managed to reach this tender age without having to contemplate ultimate responsibility for a sibling who can’t be left to live alone. Can’t even be left to make a cup of tea alone. Because he can’t make a cup of tea. Holly isn’t looking for our pity. But she is looking to increase understanding, empathy, and support for charities that provide much-needed respite care for families like hers.

For those with access needs, there’s a touch tour on Tuesday 12 August an hour before an enhance-supported performance of the show. A captioned performance is scheduled on Thursday 14 August. It’s all too rare that access needs are accommodated within the Fringe programme so this is a rare treat, received with grateful thanks on behalf of everyone that has ever struggled to find their way in an ill-suited world.

‘Big Little Sister‘ is at ZOO Playground – Playground 2 until Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 10:35