seven methods of killing kylie jenner

Synopsis

Two young Black women navigate social media outrage, colorism, and their own complex relationship in a London flat.

Cleo, a dark-skinned university student, unleashes a Twitter tirade against Kylie Jenner after the celebrity is named the youngest “self-made” billionaire. Using the anonymous handle @INCOGNEGRO, Cleo posts increasingly violent “methods” for killing Kylie, sparking a viral controversy. Meanwhile, Cleo’s childhood friend Kara, a light-skinned queer woman, tries to talk her down as the situation spirals out of control.

Jasmine Lee-Jones’ provocative debut play explores themes of colorism, social media activism, and Black female identity through rapid-fire dialogue that blends internet slang, memes, and poetic monologues. As Cleo’s tweets go viral, drawing both support and backlash, she and Kara confront long-simmering tensions in their friendship around skin tone privilege, sexuality, and what it means to be authentically Black. The play’s innovative structure incorporates tweets, GIFs, and internet reactions as living entities that encroach on the women’s physical space, blurring the lines between online and offline worlds.

Through Cleo and Kara’s raw, funny, and often painful conversations, “Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner” examines how social media amplifies both connection and division within marginalised communities. The play challenges viewers to consider the complexities of online activism, cancel culture, and the ongoing impact of historical traumas on young Black women today.