producer

Killing It

Killing It was presented for two sell-out nights at The Network Theatre, as part of VAULT Festival in February 2020.

It is now looking for a longer run at a London home in 2021/22. If you would like to discuss Killing It at your venue please email Ameena on ameenahamidtheatre@gmail.com.

A young man goes missing at sea. His girlfriend does what the traditions of her culture demand and turns her loss into a stand-up show. His mother takes comfort from her YouTube audience and her son’s best friend. His grandmother is not paying attention because she is busy plotting the assassination of the US president. KILLING IT is a comitragedy about the pressure to make grief useful.

Written by Josephine Starte. Longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize. Starring industry veteran, Janet Henfrey. Directed by Lily McLeish. Produced in association with Ameena Hamid Productions Ltd.

Josephine is an award-winning actor, writer and improv comic. Inspired by feeling sad, fearing fascism and needing applause, Killing It interrogates what is to experience grief in a world that rewards impressiveness, resilience and hot takes. It’s an intergenerational story that weaves the stories of three women in their twenties, fifties and eighties, each surviving their worst moment.

Killing It was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize and developed with the help of the John Thaw Initiative, Wilton’s Music Hall and Arts Council England. It is directed by Lily McLeish, award- winning RSC Fellow and longtime associate to Katie Mitchell. Lily has just directed Scrounger, nominated for four Offies including Best Director (“Excellent” Time Out, “Unashamedly provocative”, Lyn Gardner). It is performed by Josephine alongside Janet Henfrey (The Crown, Wolf Hall) and Doña Croll (Eastern Promises, Doctor Who).

Reception

★★★★★

"It is truly breath-taking and beautiful theatre, and it cannot be commended enough... Killing It is a shining gem within this year’s VAULT"

- A Younger Theatre

★★★★

“the production by Lily McLeish is beautifully nuanced, extremely detailed and quite unusual"

- London Living Large

★★★★

"As a theme it’s something that’s affected all of us at one time or other. With that comes a real responsibility to present it with the respect it deserves, and Starte’s script does exactly that."

- The Reviews Hub

★★★★

"There is strength, vulnerability, laughter and weeping on stage, and plenty of laughter and a few tears from the audience too"

- The Spy in The Stalls

★★★★

“Starte has done a wonderful job at taking relatable life circumstances and holding a mirror up to the audience”

- Within Her Words

“Killing It proves Josephine Starte’s skilful writing and relatable voice in an important and revelatory play about death.”

- The Play's The Thing

“there’s a beautiful, communal warmth to the sharing of these stories, ideal for those moments when you’re not sure if you’re laughing or crying”

-There Ought To Be Clowns

Made with support from Arts Council England

Age guidance: 12+

Trigger warnings: Reference to sexual assault and suicide

Warnings: Adult themes

Running time: 60 minutes, no interval.