Review: Every Brilliant Thing (Lenny Henry) (@SohoPlace)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Since one of London’s newest theatres, @SohoPlace, opened in 2022, it has proved itself to be impressive and innovative with its programming - sometimes daring, often unexpected, but always consistent in its quality. Their latest offering is the West End premiere of an acclaimed one-person play… starring five people. How does that work, I hear you ask? Well, they all take turns during the run of Every Brilliant Thing with Ambika Mod, Sue Perkins, Minnie Driver and the show’s co-creator Jonny Donahoe all leading the show throughout the season. However, it falls to the legendary Lenny Henry to kick it all off. Would the show be able to live up to its brilliant title?

First presented at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014, Every Brilliant Thing has been performed in over 80 countries around the world in the years since, but has inexplicably never made it to the West End… until now, that is. The premise is centred around a seven-year-old who attempts to ease their mother’s depression by creating a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. This continues into adulthood as the list continues to grow and receives contributions from some surprising guests, providing a safety net to get through those darker days and a reminder that there is plenty of good in the world.

Every Brilliant Thing really is a show like no other and nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I expect never will again. The concept blurs the lines between performer and audience, from the moment you enter to see that evening’s star interacting with you. An inspired move in itself, it sets the tone beautifully for what’s to come and puts you at ease for the remainder of the show. Though it is a one-person play, the audience plays a huge part in the story, with a large portion of them all getting moments to shine, some bigger than others. This means that no two shows are ever the same, and the performer will have to rely on their improvisational skills to get through the relentless, non-stop 85 minutes, though there is always one or two opportunities to swap places with them and take a seat.

If audience participation sounds like your worst nightmare, nobody will force you to take part, but there is something oddly comforting about the way it is done in Every Brilliant Thing, mainly down to the large number of people getting involved. It becomes a group activity and an opportunity to bond, cheering on strangers as they deliver an impeccable line, get into their role effortlessly or go toe-to-toe with that evening’s star. @SohoPlace becomes the perfect setting for this, with its intimate nature, and the choice to leave the lights on throughout the piece (necessary given how often people need to read from their cards) makes this less of a play and more of an experience - and what an experience it is.

Written by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe, Every Brilliant Thing charts all of the beauty, sorrow, and complexities of life in great detail, leaning into some of the more troubling moments any person might face, while never forgetting there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In beautifully balanced writing, the show offers hope, wearing its heart on its sleeve as it dives into the very essence of humanity. The result is a play that is as life-affirming as it gets. Those words may be overused in reviews, but I struggle to think of any other show more fitting of them than this. Powerful and poignant, Every Brilliant Thing saw me going through all kinds of emotions, with a huge smile on my face for the most part and the odd tear in my eye. I defy anyone to see this show and not feel a wave of emotions - even the hardest-hearted person won’t be able to resist its charms. An example of the genius of the writing is in how many items on the list are referenced and reappear as the play progresses. What you might think was a throwaway comment has added significance in a show with more depth than you would comprehend initially.

Inspired direction from Jeremy Herrin and Duncan MacMillan matches the high standard of the writing. I struggled to identify how much was scripted and how much was ad-libbed, which is a testament to the skill of all involved here. Factoring in the need to improvise and cover any eventuality, be it a reluctant audience member, somebody fluffing their lines, or even leaving their seat, as I witnessed on this press night, there are so many moving parts at play here. The ability to cover all bases, ensuring no two shows are ever the same but guaranteeing an incredible experience no matter what might occur, takes immense talent, and there is no shortage of that to be found here.

Speaking of talent, five stars of stage and screen are taking turns to star in the show, all putting their own stamp on the role, playing what I gather will be five differing versions of the same character. Lenny Henry kicks off the run with a wildly impressive performance that had the audience in the palm of his hands before they’d even taken their seats. His years of appearing on live TV and comedy talents made him the perfect candidate for this character, and he had us roaring with laughter frequently. His quick wit and speedier reactions meant he was never phased, and some of his ad-libs on the night were among the funniest of the night. Henry knew this role required more than simply a giggle, however, and ensured the seriousness of the subjects and the more somber elements of his character were played out in a confident and faultless performance. It was his charisma that proved most electric of all though, delivering a performance that could have been 100% scripted or 100% improvised - yes, it was a mixture of the two, but the way all the writing blended into each other, never differentiating which was which is a huge part of what made this such a captivating watch.

It’s not often I have the urge to immediately go back and watch a show again, but that is exactly how I felt the moment Every Brilliant Thing concluded. Partly to see how the next show compares to the one I watched based on all of the different elements that come into play, and partly to see how each of the next four stars to take on the role differ. Mostly though, I want to watch this again to cement just how clever a piece of theatre this is. From its exceptional writing and creative direction, I got the sense I could see this a further 10 times during its short run and get 10 different experiences, but none would be of any less value than the other.

Every Brilliant Thing isn’t just a play; it is an experience. More than that, it is a moment, reminding me of the true joy theatre can bring. I left with a huge smile on my face, which still hasn’t faded, even after writing this rambling review. The show also penetrated beneath the surface, and I found the whole thing incredibly moving. Talking to other people about their experience with their show, and reading in the programme about how others have responded, there is something incredibly special about this show, connecting with the audience in a way few shows manage. As I attempted to process the past 90 minutes of theatrical perfection, I started making my own list of every brilliant thing in the world:

1. That magical feeling when you have just witnessed a truly incredible piece of theatre, reminding you of how powerful it can be.

   
   

It's safe to say that summed up my feelings for Every Brilliant Thing. It might sound obvious to say, but Every Brilliant Thing is brilliant. 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.

Every Brilliant Thing plays at @SohoPlace until 8th November. Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/play/every-brilliant-thing-tickets

Photos by Helen Murray