Every Brilliant Thing, by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahue is back and goes straight in at number one on my list of brilliant things. And with Donahue himself performing it, this is better than ice cream.
Like a prodigal son returning from distant shores, the womb-like space that is The Roundhouse, at Summerhall, welcomes back, Every Brilliant Thing, a play that has globe trotted after it’s first showing here in 2014. And the public cannot get enough of it, it is completely sold out, with two additional dates already added (sold out) but surely more to follow. (Check the Fringe web site, every five minutes!)
It’s one of those shows that it’s best to know nothing about before you see it. I am therefore going for the mysterious, enigmatic vibe on this one. Lets just say it is the funniest and most uplifting play about depression and suicide that you will ever see. You might be asked to get involved, you don’t have to, but most importantly you will have an experience.
I know, I know, I might be bigging this up a bit much, but trust me, Jonny can carry it, he loves carrying it and spreading it’s important messages. He has carried it around the world for the last ten years, I know he can carry it for the next fourteen days.
Proper story with beginning, middle and end – tick
Laugh – tick
Cry – Tick
Music – tick
Drama – tick
Parable – tick
Love – tick
Suicide and depression theme – tick
Ironically, for a show that ticks so many boxes, there is no likelihood of this play ever going on to bigger venues, this is no stadium gig, it simply wouldn’t work. At one point Jonny runs around maniacally trying to high five everyone in the tent, and makes a pretty good fist of it.
In the Roundhouse the magic is happening again. The play, that might well have been written for this space ten years ago has lost none of its brilliance or popularity. It demonstrates why life is worth living, and you believe it.
Mother, I’m home.
Reviewer: Greg Holstead
Reviewed: 7th August 2024
North West End UK Rating:
Running time – 1hr