Hello! Thank you for taking the time to visit our page. We are so excited to be bringing this show back for two nights only for Brighton Fringe.
You can find plenty of information below about how to support our project. Any money you can donate will really make all the difference—not just to the growth of this project, but also to the audiences we hope to engage with around topics of mental health and women's empowerment. Additionally, your support will benefit The Survivors Trust and Women's Aid, our charity partners for whom we raised over a thousand pounds. We believe this project is worth investing in, and we sincerely thank you for any contribution you are able to make!
Written and performed by Drama Centre alumni Giulietta Tisminetzky with music by Sarah Spencer, we first performed the show at Riverside Studios to overwhelming audience reception and five star reviews. The show had a short run at last year's Edinbrugh Fringe at Underbelly and The Scotsman described it as " Enchanting". Here's what others have said about us:
★★★★ The Arts Dispatch “poignant symbolism and evocative imagery” and “ there is enough to it that it feels whole, if not expansive. Tisminetzky makes the experience, the stakes and the outcomes real”
★★★★★ Fringe Biscuit Magazine "music and monologue blend to become a distinct dialect, a unique voice that resonates deeply… How to Kill a Chicken stands as a powerful testament, empowering women to reclaim their stories and cast away shame."
About the Show:
A coming of age story about a young woman who embarks on a dream holiday: she learns to surf, rides horseback on deserted beaches and falls in love. It’s a cliché sex-fuelled holiday romance. Until…it’s not. This fantastical retelling is accompanied by music that sings, weeps, and laughs, becoming a character in its own right. Together, they unravel the raw truth about womanhood: even in paradise, a woman’s safety is a fragile illusion.
Every day, we negotiate parts of ourselves, often silently enduring situations we'd rather avoid. For women, the consequences can be irreversible. When violence occurs, something within us is lost—but we persist, we continue fighting, and this strength is what I want to talk about.
In the UK, approximately 1 in 4 women experienced sexual abuse last year. It's tragic and it's infuriating. Yet, through this play, we're also saying something else: we celebrate the fierce determination to thrive despite violence. My hope is that it inspires women to reclaim their narratives to dismantle deeply entrenched feelings of shame and fear, because confronting painful truths can empower us and set us free.
Prize Draw
By making a donation to How To Kill a Chicken, you'll be entered into our exciting prize draw to win these fantastic Italian-themed rewards:
A luxurious dinner at DOPPO, Soho
Indulge in a sumptuous tasting menu for two at DOPPO in London's Soho, complete with expertly selected wine pairings (worth £350).
Three private Italian lessons
Boost your Italian skills with three personalized language sessions tailored to your needs and interests.
Three exquisite bottles of wine from Vigne di Zamò
Enjoy three specially curated wines from Le Vigne di Zamò, capturing the rich essence of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Support How To Kill a Chicken and immerse yourself in authentic Italian experiences. Buona fortuna!
MORE ABOUT US:
Creative Team
Giulietta Tisminetzky – Writer and Performer: Giulietta is an Italian-Argentinian writer and actor who moved to the UK at the age of 16 thanks to a scholarship. She earned a BA in Literature from Queen Mary and graduated from Drama Centre in 2020. Tisminetzky has appeared in television series "Devils" on Sky, "Petra" alongside Paola Cortellesi, and is currently filming "Has Fallen" for Amazon Prime. She has also voiced advertisements for British Airways, Vodafone, and is now recording a series for Disney called "Messi and The Giants". "How To Kill A Chicken" is her debut play.
Ella Rowdon – Dramaturg: Ella is a writer, dramaturg, director, and facilitator of creative workshops and events. A recent graduate in dramaturgy from Goldsmiths, University of London, her debut play Wasp was staged at Camden People’s Theatre in August 2022. She is currently developing her new work, Catchin’ a Rat. Ella directed TOXIC by Laura Luise Schreiber at the Bread and Roses Theatre, and Stroking Bumblebees by Maria Messias Mendes at the Omnibus Theatre in January 2025. She is also the dramaturg and assistant director of How To Kill a Chicken, where her contributions have shaped some of the production’s most poignant moments.
Sarah Spencer – Musical Director and Piano :Sarah is a composer and sound designer based in London and Berlin, with extensive experience across film, television, theatre, and cabaret. She is the associate composer for award-winning London-based companies Freight Theatre and TheatreGoose. Recently, Sarah toured the UK, Norway, and Malta with Rhum and Clay as pianist and composer for "Project Dictator" and was lead composer on the TV adaptation of "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls." Sarah is currently composing for an upcoming film directed by Tim Walker, starring Tilda Swinton.
Brett Kasza – Lighting Designer: Brett is a Canadian-born lighting designer who graduated from Rose Bruford with a BA in Lighting Design after previously graduating with honours in Technical Production for Theatre and Live Events from Sheridan College in Oakville, Canada. Known for his ability to translate creative concepts effectively to the stage, Brett specializes in collaborative communication, consistently bringing unique energy and passion to every production. His international experience and commitment to challenging theatrical conventions contribute significantly to creating visually inspiring and innovative lighting designs.
Kendra Thaller- Violin: Kendra is a Canadian musician currently in the graduating year at Mountview for the BA in Musicianship. She performs as part of our ensemble team on violin. Charlotte Mason – Guitar Charlotte Mason is a London-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and aspiring producer. Currently pursuing a master’s in Creative Practice at Goldsmiths, University of London, she has a passion for scoring moving image media. Charlotte is self-producing her debut album as part of her final project. With a background in music from the University of Bristol, she also brings her love for music into the classroom as a part-time primary school teacher.
FUTURE ASPIRATIONS
It is our greatest ambition to connect to audiences far and wide and spark conversations about abuse and women’s empowerment as well as continuing to support our charity partner The Survivors Trust and Women's Aid. We would love for Brighton to be the launching pad to bringing the fully upscaled production to London and other parts of the UK.
Thank you so much for reading and we hope to see you at Brighton Fringe in May!