Every Brilliant Thing (with Sue Perkins) – Sohoplace

‘Every Brilliant Thing’ is a play that makes you feel alive in the deepest sense. Staged in the round at the stunning @sohoplace Theatre, it invites the audience to sit close enough to feel part of the story, the circular setting removing any distance between performer and spectator, turning the theatre into a shared living room where every glance and every laugh travels instantly across the space. This intimacy is more than a design choice, it allows the production to draw everyone into its gentle exploration of joy, grief, and the tiny moments that give life meaning.

From the very first words, you sense that what unfolds will not be a typical night at the theatre but a collective experience of listening, feeling, and remembering together. With Sue Perkins at the centre, the evening becomes far more than a performance, it is an experience of connection, laughter, and quiet reflection that lingers long after you step back into the busy London streets.

From the moment Sue walks on stage there is an instant warmth that radiates from her. She greets the audience with the ease of a lifelong friend, and the room instantly softens. The subject matter about mental health, love, and the brilliant things that keep us going could easily weigh heavy, yet Sue guides us through with an incredible lightness of touch. Her timing and humour are impeccable, but she never allows the comedy to diminish the gravity of the themes. Instead, she builds a bridge between the two, making space for hope and laughter even when the play explores sadness and loss.

What makes this production truly extraordinary is the seamless blend of script, improvisation, and audience participation. One moment Sue delivers Duncan Macmillan’s beautifully crafted words with the precision of a seasoned thespian, and the next she slips effortlessly into spontaneous comic interaction with the audience. There is no visible shift. It feels as if the script and the improvised moments are one and the same. This delicate balance demands rare skill and Sue proves she was absolutely made for this role.

Audience participation lies at the heart of ‘Every Brilliant Thing’. Far from being gimmicky, it becomes the lifeblood of the story. Sue draws people in with gentle encouragement, never forcing, always supporting. I was fortunate to be chosen early in the show and found myself on stage, unexpectedly part of the narrative, and euthanising a sick dog! But guided by Sue, I felt completely at ease, as though my contribution had always belonged. Her calm and playful direction made me feel like the most important person on stage. It was theatre that celebrated community in the purest sense.

The emotional range of the evening is astonishing. There are passages of laugh out loud comedy, audible gasps, and moments when the theatre seems to hold its breath in a collective silence. Sue moves between these states with natural elegance. She captures the joy of an ice cream, vinyl records, hungry hippos and a dog basking in the sun, and the tremendous weight of despair that sometimes overshadows them. It is impossible to leave the theatre unchanged. The play’s message, that life is threaded with countless brilliant moments worth noticing, settles deep and stays with you.

Technically the production is equally strong. The minimal staging keeps the focus on Sue and the audience, while subtle lighting (Jack Knowles) and sound (Tom Gibbons) cues support every shift in mood without ever distracting. The result is a space that feels safe but also alive, a perfect match for the play’s intimate spirit.

‘Every Brilliant Thing’ with Sue Perkins is innovative, quirky, and profoundly human. It is a show that entertains whilst opening hearts. Funny, touching, and technically flawless, it proves how theatre can both lift spirits and stir the soul. Sue Perkins stays with the production until 27^th September 2025 and then it continues until 8th November 2025. Tickets are available from https://everybrilliantthing.com Do not miss this one, in fact add it to your own list of brilliant things!!

Reviewer: Alan Stuart Malin

Reviewed: 10^th September 2025

North West End UK Rating: