In Standing In The Shadows of Giants, Carl Barât’s sister, Lucie, steps centre stage with fierce honesty, pitch-black humour, and a phenomenal singing voice. She’s upfront from the start – this isn’t an insight into life with the Libertines, although they play a minor part in her story. Instead we get an insight into Lucie’s own life trajectory. While her brother’s star rose, she slipped through cracks, caught between unfulfilled acting dreams, substance abuse, and a desire to stay close to a world that wasn’t good for her.

She’s warm, wry, and refreshingly self-aware. Her script is sharp and laced with humour— particularly when she “disguises” characters with laughably thinly-veiled pseudonyms. The musical interjections are perfectly placed throughout the piece and her voice is rich and expressive, giving the show a personality all of its own.

Attempts at rehab come and go, but this isn’t a tale of self-pity. It’s a jagged, funny, and ultimately hopeful piece about facing hard truths and slowly rebuilding a life and reconnecting with family.

You don’t need to be a Libertines fan to be moved. This is Lucie’s story — and she tells it like no one else could.

Reviewed by Rona