Every Brilliant Thing - 17 to 20 May, Theatre@41, York.
You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done something stupid’. She finds it hard to be happy.
You make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for.
- Ice cream
- Water fights
- Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV
- The colour yellow
- Things with stripes
- Rollercoasters
- People falling over
Thus starts a list that spans a lifetime spent trying to prove life is beautiful in Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe. This critically acclaimed play, the debut production of new theatre company Shared Space, features Alan Park and is directed by Maggie Smales. When his mother attempts suicide, a young boy tries to write down every small miracle for her to realise life is worth living. What starts as a small gesture turns into thousands of entries that follow him throughout a life spent trying to define and capture happiness.
“Everyone I have spoken to about doing this show has said ‘oh we need that show now more than ever’.” says Alan. “A friend suggested we try and book the show to tour into York but when I read it, and found there were no other productions around, I decided to do it myself. It really is one of the most uplifting plays I’ve ever read. It’s a brilliant thing.”
The intimate show takes place in the round at Theatre@41, York where the audience plays a crucial role in compiling the list of brilliant things. The result is an unforgettable communal experience that reminds us of the power found in connecting with the people around us.
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