It is unusual for us to revisit a production for a second review, but Every Brilliant Thing warrants the exception. This one-person show, running at Soho Place, features five different actors taking turns in the lead role over its run. The chance to observe how distinct approaches can be brought to the same material is rare and revealing. Currently in the role is Jonny Donahoe, who also co-authored the play. He portrays a child grappling with a parent's bipolar disorder and suicide attempts, but his performance contrasts significantly with that of his predecessor, Lenny Henry. While Henry excelled at immersing the audience in the boy’s emotional journey, he seemed less sure of his role during the interactive segments of the piece. Striking a balance between inhabiting the character and directly engaging with the audience is perhaps this production’s greatest challenge. By contrast, Donahoe delivers a self-aware performance that keeps him anchored in the audience's reality. Rather than embodying the protagonist across different life stages, he functions more as a narrator, reporting events with emotional distance. This performance choice results in a diminished sense of immersion, particularly when he recounts details like the Samaritans’ media protocols around suicide. At times, he even interrupts his own storytelling mid-sentence to casually interact with audience members. The interactive structure of the work ensures each performance is unique. Audience volunteers step into the roles of the boy’s father, partner, and teacher, and they also contribute by calling out the “brilliant things” that make life worth living. Although the show has a clear framework, its improvisational elements will vary in effectiveness from night to night. While this spontaneity creates a sense of intimacy, it can also dilute the emotional impact of the child’s story. The central challenge for each performer is to draw the audience into the protagonist's world while navigating the show’s participatory demands. Donahoe’s interpretation will soon be followed by those of Ambika Mod, Sue Perkins, and Minnie Driver. It will be interesting to see how each of them brings their own balance to this delicate theatrical equation.
Rated: ★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Danny Kaan
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