Every Brilliant Thing
Photo: Will Green Photography
Review by Wayne Savage.
Well, that lived up to its title.
Part theatre, part group therapy session, this production - presented by The New Wolsey Young Company - is a surprisingly funny, unconventional and uplifting play about the complexities of depression, suicide and what makes life worth living.
The plot of ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ is basic.
After their mum’s first suicide attempt, a youngster starts a list of everything worth living for. It grows with them, in number and maturity, finally becoming something that helps them and others.
But here’s where the play gets interesting…
The words ‘audience participation’ normally bring me out in a cold sweat. And there’s a lot of it here. Some seats have numbered cards that correspond with items on the list. You hear the number and shout out what’s on your card. You may even be called onto the stage to take part.
It drives the performance. Its success hangs on it and on the cast’s confidence, charisma, ability to improvise and their skill at making people feel comfortable enough to - say - turn their sock into a puppet guidance counsellor (Mr Piggles, I salute you).
Photo: Will Green Photography
The seven performers, who take turns playing the youngster, were amazing. Encouraging, not pushy, when choosing spectators to join in. Striking the right balance between being supportive and subversive. And not getting swept up in the audience’s playfulness to the point it overshadowed the show’s heart.
It was the highlight of the piece, and a structure that suited the intimacy of The Gallery Studio.
The list device itself did feel gimmicky and overly sentimental at times, but was used sparingly enough not to become jarring.
Yes, the subject matter is bleak - triggering even for people who have experienced depression in some way. But the performers juggled the humour and darkness well, creating a safe space not just to follow the main character’s journey but to live it with them.
The staging, use of music and subtle uniformity of costuming were also good.
If you like performances that make you think - make you laugh one minute and cry the next - and aren’t afraid of participating, check this out.
Oh, and for the list…
Things worth living for, number one million and one: leaving somewhere feeling better than you did walking in.
Every Brilliant Thing is at The Gallery Studio until 15 August 2026.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE