We round up the reviews for Duncan MacMillian’s one person show, running in the West End until the 8th November.
Broadway World: *** “It premiered in 2014, and the years do show. Conversations around mental health enjoy the prominence they long deserved to the extent that the play’s more polemical moments no longer land with quite the same force. That in itself is a testament to Macmillan’s prescience in sounding these notes before they became part of the mainstream chorus. And, in any case, some truths bear repeating.”
The Reviews Hub: *** 1/2 “The plot itself is relatively slight and never tries to get inside the long-term effects or triggers of depression for the character’s mother, the near silence of his father or even explains the breakdown of the relationship with partner Sam. It remains almost entirely from the speaker’s perspective. Henry is fully in control of the unfolding narrative, picking up the moments of collaboration and carefully managing scenarios where he is interacting with the public and crew members supplying props, always vocally grateful and supportive of their input.”
The Guardian: *** “Henry also responds beautifully to all the music woven into the show, which plays such an important role and underlines just how much this boy has been forced to live on the edges of his family life. Listening behind doors. Hovering. Worrying. Never getting truly involved, for fear of what he may lose if he lets the happiness in.”
The Arts Desk: **** “In its decision to balance grief and glee and not to allow one to exclude the other, this is a clear-sighted, heartening show. It’s no surprise that it has been performed to huge acclaim in more than 70 countries around the world in the past decade.”
The Independent: *** “When it debuted, Duncan Macmillan’s play felt like a new way to talk about depression and suicide, but in the 11 years since, it already feels less radical.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “This is a piece of work that is clearly hugely meaningful to many people, though I personally am wired to prefer comedy about mental health that’s less “feel good” and much more mordant.”
London Theatre.co.uk: **** “While there’s plenty of warmth and humour to it, I felt a depth missing. Watching Donahoe perform the part, it truly felt like his story, his depression. This version never quite plumbs those depths, and the plot is held aloof, as if secondary to the audience participation. Yet what Henry pulls off is no small feat – as a collective, participatory experience, it’s really quite brilliant.”
London Theatre Reviews: ***** “Every Brilliant Thing is beautifully refreshing. Yes, it is sad. Yes, it is an emotional whirlwind and will probably make you cry. But it is hilarious and an enjoyable watch. I believe it is unlike anything else out there. I urge you to go experience it for yourself.”
Everything Theatre: ***** “There’s so much more to say, and even more to experience. Every Brilliant Thing is a salve to the challenges of our global society and a heartfelt call for thoughtful conversation and compassionate understanding for one another. This is a show that touches the soul and leaves an indelible embrace, beautifully written, artfully told. I’m now intrigued to see how each of the cast delivers their astonishing series of life lessons. Unforgettable.”
Time Out: **** “Still, in the larger space, it’s harder to build the same rapport. With a much greater capacity and the audience spread across three tiers, creating the world of the play feels less like a communal endeavour and more the responsibility of a select few. Henry is a gentle guide: first as the seven-year-old boy desperate to show his mum – who has depression – all the goodness in the world, and then as his older self, who has his own ‘black dog’ following him too. Physically, he shrinks into a childlike form before stretching into an awkward adult, all the while steering the evening as our host. He makes light jabs at audience members, restarts scenes when things go awry, and makes us laugh repeatedly.”
The Standard: **** “The direction is by Jeremy Herrin and Duncan Macmillan himself and is supple and flexible enough to accommodate different performers and different audience responses each night. Fascinating. But if you’re shy or self-conscious, maybe stay at home.”
The Telegraph: ***** “Every Brilliant Thing, now at @sohoplace, is just the tonic the West End needs.”
Theatre & Tonic: ***** “This is a truly poignant powerhouse of a show which reminds you of the sheer joy of being alive and finding splendour and beauty in the ordinary things that make our short time on this earth that much more magical and worth living. If you need a reminder of how you are wonderful, unique, and the world is a better place for your being here, then this is the show for you. If you need a reminder of asking for help, bring one of the bravest and best things you can do, then this is a fantastic show for you. If you want inspiration on finding joy in your daily life and sharing it with loved ones, then this is the perfect show for you. “
Stage to Page: “In a time where it can feel impossible to find a glimmer of hope in the world, Every Brilliant Thing offers it in abundance, reminding the audience to appreciate the smaller, less materialistic joys in life. It oozes sincerity and radiates joy, despite the heavy subject matter. This may just be the play of the year.”
Theatre Weekly: ***** “Macmillan’s writing is both endearing and nostalgic, a feeling I haven’t encountered in ages. His language is equally funny and poetic, interweaving those brilliant things that are sometimes trivial, solid, and relatable, or reflective, uncanny, and lyrical at other times—or all of these at once.”
All That Dazzles: ***** “As brilliant as it is possible for one show to be. If you see one play in the West End at the moment, make it this one – you really won’t regret it.”
West End Best Friend: ***** “Throughout the performance, we noticed Henry bringing bits of himself into the list: his Jamaican heritage, food, and culture make us wonder what the other four actors might bring to the story. The loneliness of depression is warmly melted away by the collectivism of the audience. This was a story all of us co-created together this evening and I, personally, believe we’d all like to add to our list of brilliant things: a million and one, seeing Every Brilliant Thing.“
The Stage: **** “Tenth anniversary revival of Duncan Macmillan’s sweet, slight and uplifting tribute to the little things that make life living.”
To book tickets visit: https://sohoplace.org/shows/every-brilliant-thing/