ED2016 5/5 Reviews ED2016 Theatre Reviews

Every Brilliant Thing (Paines Plough)

By Gemma Scott | Published on Wednesday 17 August 2016

With audience members crying from around 20 minutes into this show, I knew I wouldn’t leave unscathed. Duncan Macmillan’s script, about a young boy coming up with a list of “brilliant things” after his mother’s first suicide attempt, is the perfect mix of big ideas and tiny joys. Jonny Donahoe is a wonderfully welcoming, engaging performer, with the audience standing in for the other characters. There’s no need to feel nervous, however, as Donahoe’s gentle direction makes this feel the safest of safe spaces. It’s achingly sad in places, touchingly sweet in others and just hilarious the rest of the time. My list now includes: 124. incredible theatre. 125. crying and laughing in a room full of strangers. 126. ‘Every Brilliant Thing’.

Roundabout @ Summerhall, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Gemma Scott]