The saying goes: family – can’t live with them, can’t live without them. As Deedee plays around this point, prepare to be taken along on her effortlessly honest and wonderfully cathartic journey. Putting the audience at ease with her Southern Yankee twang, Deedee’s gift at simultaneously playing a part onstage and playing herself saves this show of true-life tales from becoming self-pitying or glib. Covering Christmas cards to college, abuse to alcoholism, this is that rare play that many people can connect with, regardless of sex, or nationality. So long as girls continue to play with Barbie, may Deedee continue to tell her story.

Assembly Hall, 2-27 Aug (not 14, 21), 1.30pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Ciara Knowles]