Griffin Theatre’s artist development program Griffin Lookout led to the development of new play Sistren, by lolanthe, playing at the Old Fitz Theatre. Sistren is a collision of sisterhood, sass and schoolyard mischief, spun from the mind of Iolanthe in this playwriting debut. Set in a South London high school, the two-hander follows two self‑proclaimed soulmates – Isla, a cis‑Caribbean diva, and Violet, her 'Ethel Cain‑adjacent' trans bestie – whose tight bond is fractured by their self‑righteous headmaster’s ultimatum: hang together or you both fail.
This two‑hander is performed by two real-life besties – Iolanthe (as Isla) and award-winning performer Janet Anderson (as Violet) – so the chemistry is real. Their friendship rips open a conversation about race, queerness, trauma and joy.
This play contains depictions of transphobia, racism, cultural appropriation, PTSD, and references to sexual assault, child abuse, colonisation and religious trauma. Also features herbal cigarettes, strobe lighting, haze effects and loud sound.
Sistren has a short season – June 26 to July 12, 2025 – at the Old Fitz Theatre. Find out more over here.