Every Brilliant Thing is an uplifting masterpiece

“A rare piece of theatre that is both profoundly moving and joyfully life-affirming – a must-see.”

STAR RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THEATRE: Soho Place, London
DATES: Now – 8 November

Every so often, a production comes along that completely redefines what theatre can do. Every Brilliant Thing at Soho Place is one of those shows. Compact at just 75 minutes yet emotionally expansive, it captures the highs and lows of human life with striking simplicity and warmth.

The Script

Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s script is deceptively clever. On paper, it’s a story about a child coping with a parent’s depression by creating a list of “brilliant things” worth living for. On stage, it becomes a living, breathing dialogue between actor and audience - an ever-shifting piece of theatre that feels fresh and immediate every night.

Audience Participation

This is no passive experience. The audience isn’t just watching; they’re essential to the storytelling. From reading out items on the list to embodying supporting characters, spectators bring the world of the play to life. The result is intimate and communal, blurring the line between performer and observer. Even the most reluctant theatre-goer will find themselves drawn in.

The Cast

The West End run features a rotating line-up of remarkable performers including Ambika Mod, Lenny Henry, Sue Perkins, Minnie Driver, and Jonny Donahoe. I saw Ambika Mod, whose natural humour and emotional honesty carried the room with ease. She navigated improvisation and crowd work with charm, turning spontaneous moments into some of the evening’s most memorable highlights.

No Two Nights the Same

Because of its structure, Every Brilliant Thing is never identical twice. The story remains constant, but the details, shaped by audience responses and performer choices, ensure each performance is unique. That unpredictability is part of its magic, making it a show you could revisit again and again.

Tackling Mental Health with Care

At its heart, this is a play about depression and suicide which are heavy themes that in this show are handled with remarkable sensitivity. The writing never trivialises its subject matter, yet it avoids being weighed down by despair. Instead, it shines a light on resilience, connection, and the beauty of small joys.

Every Brilliant Thing is theatre distilled to its most essential form: a story, a performer, an audience. And in that simplicity lies its power. It’s funny, moving, and ultimately uplifting — the kind of production that lingers in the mind and heart long after the lights go down.

If you see just one show at Soho Place this season, make it this one.