A new work with all-original songs, poems, and script by Thandizo Joy. Blending her Malawian heritage with poetry, rap, RnB, and musical theatre, she delivers a story about growth, resilience, and confronting parasitic patterns. What sends us on roads away from our community, and what happens when we take the long road back to them
² Relaxed performance
⁴ ASL Performance
Extended Content Notes
A Little Death tells a relatable and meaningful story of finding your power after a break-up woven in with self-written music and poetry. The lyricism is top notch, with many lines having stuck with me after leaving the theatre – the line about butterfly wings in particular. I saw opening night so I’m sure these issues will be resolved, but it is my impression that the audio dialogue tracks didn’t always line up well with the protagonist’s lines… the dial tone would begin before she picked up the phone, for instance, or she’d be interrupted by the audio track which was distracting. Minor issues overall – would definitely see this show again!
I LOVED this show!!! A Little Death was gorgeously sung and brilliantly written. I was swept up into every crescendo and the lyrics pulsed with truth and passion. I will be telling everyone I know to go see this show! I can’t wait to see what Thandizo Joy does next!
Talk about a powerhouse! The vocal quality Thandizo Joy brings to this show is worth going all by itself. The original songs are beautiful, emotional expressions that will have you wanting to immediately put them on again for the ride home. In the show Joy combines a largely musical showcase with quick sketches to provide context and link the story together. She draws from her Malawian ancestry to create a framework and story that is an emotional ride but still manages to come full circle. Definitely make time for this one.
Incredible all around. Amazing vocals! Sometimes I felt the keyboard was a tad too loud but it could be where I was sitting (near the front). In addition to Thandizo Joy’s powerful vocals, Klo E and Dahni were fully engaged and I love how they bore witness to Chimz’s journey. A familiar and effectively executed story, complimented with atmospheric lighting that made us feel immersed.
I saw the performance last night and it got a well-deserved standing ovation. Amazing singing and music! This is a must-see on the last day of the festival.
A Little Death is an absolutely beautiful representation of the ties that bind us and the snakes that try to take us away. Through rap, music, and storytelling, she tells a story about cutting a snake off at the head in order to heal herself after a particular snake tried to suffocate her and isolate her, keeping her friends away.
This story is not an easy one, but it is one that represents how the lifeblood of any one person’s story is the community that hold us in the times we bleed.
Must not miss Fringe experience – this show is a revelation and a joy to get to see.