Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner

by Jasmine Lee-Jones

In this innovative play blending real life and online culture, a young Black woman takes to Twitter to voice her frustration with white women profiting off Black culture and stereotypes. When The Discourse turns on her, the line between internet personas and IRL relationships blurs, and the heightened scrutiny she comes under puts her real-life friendship under strain...

seven methods of killing kylie jenner combines theatre with gifs, memes and emojis to explore stereotypes of Black womanhood, white capitalist exploitation, and the politics of social media activism.

Genres: Plays, School, Read For School, Drama, Fiction, Theatre, Contemporary

89 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2019

Reviews

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

February 11, 2024 Update Wow! My favourite theatres in Toronto, Obsidian Theatre & Crow's Theatre, are staging Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner from May 12 to 26, 2024.


January 20, 2023 Update An article online in The New Yorker Highlights from the Under the Radar Festival reports on American performances of the play seven methods of killing kylie jenner in New York City.


Actors Tia Bannon (as Kara) and Leanne Henlon (as Cleo) perform the play at the Under the Radar Festival NYC January 2023. Image sourced from The New Yorker (as linked above).

Unique Playscript is sometimes indecipherable without knowledge of #BlackTwitter and Urban Dictionary
Review of the Oberon Books paperback edition (July 8, 2019)

I chanced upon seven methods of killing kylie jenner after seeing a video of the author accepting the Evening Standard's 2019 Most Promising Playwright Award on Twitter.

Lee-Jones' play kicks off with Twitter-obsessed Cleo trolling cosmetics celeb Kylie Jenner for her cultural appropriation of Black Women (lip implants being the key issue) and her supposed "self-made" billionaire status as broadcast by Forbes Magazine in the summer of 2018. She hyperbolically proposes seven methods of killing Kylie Jenner on Twitter and is met with a Twitter mob backlash attack that threatens doxing and other embarrassments. Her friend Kara tries to convince her to pull back and that triggers Cleo even further with memories of younger conflicts and jealousies that she had with her friend. Mild spoiler follows: There is a sort of deus-ex-machina to resolve events when both women have a vision of the life of Saartjie Bartman (1789-1815) a South African woman who endured a life of humiliating display in Europe.

The unique part about the playscript is that it is half-written in Twitter format with the various hashtags, acronyms, homonyms, intentional misspellings, memes and gifs used in that medium, especially those from #BlackTwitter. This alternates with IRL (In Real Life) segments where Cleo and Kara discuss things, but even there their speech often slips into Twitterese. Apparently in the actual theatrical performance none of the internet texts or pictures are projected on screens, the two actresses have to actually act them out which I'm sure is a large part of the entertainment for the audience. Imagine acting out gifs like Michael Jackson eating popcorn in the Thriller video, or Jasmine Masters' "and I oop" video segment as two prominent examples.

The use and reference to very current cultural trends is likely to make this play subject to becoming dated very easily, but there is no denying its entertainment aspect and the performance challenges it presents for its young actors.


Cleo (Danielle Vitalis) and Kara (Tia Bannon) striking what is likely a gif-inspired pose in Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner. Photograph: Helen Murray. From the review at The Guardian.

[Ayca · Rating 3 out of 5]

schullektüre halt

[ronja · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wenn ich Tweets lesen möchte brauche ich kein Buch.

[hannah pauline :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

WTF is this?! Yes: Black lifes matter. Yes: We need to support not only black people but also the queer community. Yes: White people probably won’t ever understand what people of colour have to go through. But there are other ways of pointing such things out than using Twitter in Drama. If you‘d want to use Twitter/ Social Media, use fucking Twitter/ Social Media, not Drama. Also I do not know a single person that texts as though everyone would like to decipher a secret code within a „normal“ conversation.

[Sasha Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was possibly the most creative and slightly intense thing I have ever read, and I wish I could have a talent for artistry such as this.

[Lieselle Furtado · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what it is , but i just didn't get this at all.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a white male who not only has never been on Twitter, but has never seen a single episode of KUWTK (although unfortunately, have not been able to avoid the ubiquity of said family) I am definitely NOT the target audience for this theatre piece. But the title intrigued me, and I had heard about the unique format (about 1/3 of the play is projected Twitter feeds). Suffice it to say, I found it interesting and at times absorbing, without quite being able to relate much to the issues at hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l88a...

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/201...

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/202...

https://everything-theatre.co.uk/2022...

https://www.timeout.com/london/theatr...

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I have mixed feelings. Even though their criticism about Kylie Jenner was justified the writing wasn't interesting and the characters unlikable which made it hard to read.
I like how modern it is tho.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a favorite. I think the general message and central themes get lost in the “chronically online” personality of Cleo. I think there is a lot in this play that is accurately discussed like Kylie Jenner/the Kardashians getting praise and wealth from emulating physical stereotypes of black women, how we’re all problematic/no one is perfect, and even it’s cursory discussion on treatments of poc that are lightskinned/whitepassing. BUT again, it gets lost when the main speaker, Cleo, is vindictive and gaslighting. I mean, it was so hard reading through her lines and the ways she basically crapped on Kara. I UNDERSTAND the point and the connections being
made, but the way this play was written and presented for readers was exhausting to read. Definitely a play that likely is better watched rather than read.

Not looking forward to class discussion on this one.

[Rahaf · Rating 2 out of 5]

hate the way they made her the bad guy and the ending was wierd but i enjoyed it tbh. it probably felt freeing to get all of that off of her chest. I'd give it 2.5 szars but i can't here so 😔

[sophia :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

can‘t wait to discuss this in class 😃

[Niek the Bear · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like i have wasted my time with this Book.
The Maincharacter is Racist, Homophobic and making Deathtreats in the Internet. I dont know if it was ment that we grow to hate her? In the end she regrets everything and appologies. The book is kinda telling you to forgive her. But just because she faced the consiquenses of her actions. She did not feel sorry for the people she hurt, but only sorry for herself.

If you like Kylie Jenner or not, the tweets are far to extreme.
I can understand the reson why the Maincharacter is mad. The title „Selfmade Bilionare“ isnt realy fitting, giving the fact that Kylie was born in a wealthy family and had more financal support then the most people. She startet to gain her own money, but with the Privilage and help of her wealthy family. In my opinion not realy selfmade.

As you can see i kind of agree with the Maincharacter but i certanly do NOT wish Kylie a painfull death?!

She has postet Homophobic coments online, then claims that she didnt meant them. But she has acted and acts Homophobic infront of her Queer Firend. I absolutely dont accept this kind of behavior.

She also tells her friend that she is not black enough to understand the chalanges Black People face in dayly life. I just dont get why you would do that. You know how it is to be a part of a discriminated group, you dont start fighting your people. Also they are friends from childhood. You dont act that mean to a friend. I hate that.

All in all: WTF.

I dont see the conection to the Tragic Life of the woman that was told at the end.
They could have made a book about this storry alone!
I Just dont get it and cant put into words how frustrated i am. xD

I wish i could Give 0 Stars.

[➸ Gwen de Sade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot that I already read this lol. I would love to see it on stage!

[Merle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mies langweiliges Buch

[Erik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Naja 🫤

[alessia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ich schreibe nie Reviews, aber…
Sorry, was habe ich da gerade gelesen??? Mit Abstand die SCHLECHTESTE und ANSTRENGENDSTE Schullektüre, die ich JEMALS gelesen habe. Es wurden wichtige Themen, wie Rassismus, Stereotypen, etc. genommen, in die Story gepresst und so beschis*en eingebaut, dass die ganze eigentliche Message wegen dieser Umsetzung und den unglaublich nervigen Charakteren verloren gegangen ist.

Ja, die Probleme, die angesprochen werden sind alle wichtig und haben ihre Berechtigung, aber dieses Stück hat meiner Meinung nach jede Ernsthaftigkeit aus diesen Themen genommen und ins lächerliche gezogen.

„OMG, das kommt bestimmt so cool, wenn ich ein Stück schreibe, was Twitter und das echte Leben verknüpft, aber so mit Problemen aus der Welt. Verstehst du so auf #genZabholen“ Genauso Stelle ich mir vor, wie die Autorin auf diese Idee gekommen ist.
Ich hätte mir lieber die Augen mit Bleach ausgewaschen als dieses Stück zu lesen.

Versteht mich nicht falsch, die Autorin hat bestimmt super viel Talent und es ist auch sehr wichtig, dass sie aktiv versucht gegen Rassismus, etc. vorzugehen. Hut ab und vollsten Respekt, aber ich denke, das Konzept dieses Stücks hat eher das Gegenteil von ihrer Intention bewirkt.

Danke, Kultusminesterium. Ein Essay über diese Thematik hätte es auch gemacht und wäre sehr viel sinnvoller und aufklärender gewesen.

I wanna give you a zero but that’s not possible, so i’ll give you a one.

[Leonie]

Ich hab keine Ahnung wie ich das Buch bewerten soll

[Alexandra Floread · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my colleagues told me that they teach this book in the higher level English classes which SHOCKED me. Not only because of the language but also because they discuss w@nkin’ (British play). I thought the topic was interesting and a good display of how online activism usually goes.

[evelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Also ich muss sagen, es war nicht super schlimm. Interessant mal was anderes in der Schule zu lesen. Das Thema ist wichtig und durch die untypische Gestaltung des Dramas erreicht es vielleicht auch Personengruppen, die sich damit sonst nicht beschäftigen würden. Mich hat es aber damit nicht erreicht sryyyy 😁. Wenn ich Tweets lesen will, geh ich auf Twitter und brauche dafür kein Buch und dadurch, dass so unnötig viele Abkürzungen drin vorkommen, versteht man lowk die Hälfte nicht (außer man ist vielleicht chronisch online) und cringe ist es auch noch ☺️☺️. Außerdem ist diese Cleo mies unsympathisch, besonders gegenüber ihrer besten Freundin und irgendwie juckts keinen😄. Cleo wirft Kara gaslighten vor dabei gaslighted sie gerade, als würde es ums Überleben gehen. Kara die Arme. Das Ende auch arsch mit dem Weed irgendwie und der schnellen Entschuldigung. Ja also einfach nicht mein Geschmack oder so 🙂🙂🙂

[Ale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well...det här va nog den mest unika läsupplevelse jag haft. Man får läsa om olika metoder för att döda Kylie Jenner, bråk och diskussion om rasism mrllqn två kvinnor och många twitter reaktionsbilder. Ser fram emot att diskutera den i seminariet för wow jag är förvirrad. Men! Är så nyfiken på pjäsen så måste kolla på det.

[Pauli · Rating 2 out of 5]

lowkey mid. no cap

[Mckayla Witt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy how it only took 5 years for this to be a period piece

[☆ Maya ☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this in school.

This book is definitely something…new and I commend the author for trying out new things, but I definitely prefer…traditional books/dramas.

The criticism and topic of racism are also important but I feel like using memes in the midst of conversations made it feel a little unserious. Some memes are a trend for a short time and then are forgotten. I saw memes I haven’t seen since 2017 that just reminded me of the cringy trends at that time.

All the abbreviations gave me half an aneurysm, even in the “irl” passages. It made it little sense to me for the author to spell “you” like “u” or “why” like “y” if they’re speaking. It just made it hard to read.

I personally didn’t like the setup with the Tweets which was a big part of the book although it is definitely something new.

[Sophia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book deals with many issues, such as racism, homophobia, oppression, hatred, insults, cultural appropriation and many more, so it definitely had an important message. However, I personally didn't like the writing style, because it's written as if you were on Twitter. The memes were very funny in between, but I think the seriousness of the topic got slightly lost. Nevertheless, the message of the book was easy to understand and many topics were addressed and connected with historical events.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was incredibly fortunate last summer to land a ticket to watch this groundbreaking, dynamite of a play at the Royal Court Theatre last summer thanks to a friend of mine who holed up in the staff toilets at his workplace to score us the tickets. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself in to but the moment I walked into the intimate theatre set in profile with a raised wooden platform in traverse, lots of ropes hanging from the top and an open trap door at the top centre, I knew it was going to be pretty unforgettable.

Jump to the opening few minutes and two young women are dragging what appears to be a dead body wrapped in cloth and tied up in rope, and the rest, as they say, is history. Except it's not. Because not only is this a play that couldn't have been written at any other time but it is also a play that couldn't have been written by any other person than Jasmine Lee-Jones right here, right now. A review I read after watching it last year captured it perfectly:

"This play is why every single theatre needs to be commissioning young black womxn."

seven methods is filled with layers and layers of cultural critique; it's about black femininity, appropriation, twitter, friendship, finding your voice, anger, youth, vulnerability, and so so much more. I laughed out loud, cringed in my seat, cried, squirmed and was absolutely kept on my toes throughout the whole 90-minute experience, led by two astonishing young performers who were dynamic, physical, emotional and hilarious. There really isn't any other play I could think of that challenged me in the way this one did- and continues to do so. Before BLM and everything that has pushed us to question our own unconscious biases and inherent racism, this play made me think about society's propensity to devour mindless entertainment despite its blatant exclusion and appropriation of cultures and identities, and how easy it is to fall prey to what's 'trendy' without really thinking about the historical/cultural roots of such trends. This play is what made me start conversations with friends and family and is a solid reminder of why it is so important to continue with those difficult conversations and strive for change and action first and foremost in the home.

Why then did I give it a 4-star (4.5) rating? Well, the script itself is written in GIFs and twitter threads so, as another review put it, "I really love that a lot of this script would be incomprehensible to an older person." I guess I'm sorta kinda a tad bit one of those older persons. I think perhaps if I hadn't seen the actual play IRL and been swept away with the dark humour, physical comedy and gripping performances then I wouldn't have anything to compare the script to. Reading it felt less moving compared to actually seeing/hearing/feeling it but again that is because I'm obvs not fluent in twitter-speak and the ways of the youth! I had enough trouble during the play understanding all the acronyms and terms so reading it was a little bit harder to gauge. Having said that, it is an incredibly intelligent piece of work that will make your (my) brain hurt dissecting the layers of rhetoric in the nuance and dialogue.

The whole concept of using ‘twitterludes’ is so profound and hilarious; the way the narrative unfolds before you is so organic that it takes you by surprise over and over again. And it does all this whilst tackling issues of racism; the female body; misogyny; cultural appropriation; colourism; the negative impacts of Hollywood and the entertainment industry; the whole concept behind Kylie Jenner and the Kardashians, and then some!

Okay...I think I'm changing my rating to a 5. Highly recommend!

[Meher]

one of the most interesting modern texts i’ve probably read. loved the way lee-jones actualises the twittersphere and how the lines between internet and irl are blurred. i’ve never seen a book use tweets/memes as part of the actual “text” and that makes me think a lot about the ways the internet has become a linguistic landscape.

i would absolutely love to see this play irl bc there is so much room for artistic interpretation. though some people disliked how the play’s references make it vulnerable to feeling outdated, i really enjoyed how it captured a certain era/language/political context! who knows if we’ll even have twitter in 2 years and how this play might be adapted then?

lee-jones use of a play to highlight social media to highlight jenner to highlight the commodification of Blackness (among other sociopolitical issues) is quite brilliant. i have many more thoughts but no energy to type them out! i just hope that this play will be studied for years and years and years

[Salma · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Like if I wanted to
if I really wanted to
I could swallow all of them completely
whole”

This might have been my favorite “school” book that I have ever read…
The writing style was really surprising until I realized that it is actually a play. It is still unusually written since there are many memes and short forms. Some things were really funny and were just giving peak 2019. They unlocked hidden memories. But some things were not understandable because there were so many short forms and if you didn’t use them regularly then you definitely need a dictionary just for them.
I have so many thoughts on this that I can’t wait to discuss in class. This topic is so important. It just feels like I can understand them both so well even when I don’t agree with their (or her) behavior (especially the homophobia) but her rage I GET IT

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love a lights up moment

[Imke · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5⭐

[Isabella Basile · Rating 5 out of 5]

god forbid a woman be chronically online!!