Duncan Macmillan’s unusual play, Every Brilliant Thing, debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014. It's a one-man show about childhood, a mother's depression and the realisation that we can’t always make those we love happy. That said, it's a funny and uplifting piece, insists director Jane Herring and actor Christopher Collins from the Lace Market Theatre production.
Can you tell us a little bit about Every Brilliant Thing?
Jane: You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid”. She finds it hard to be happy. You start a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world, everything worth living for – ice cream, water fights, staying up late to watch TV… You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. As years go by, you grow up, go off to university and fall in love. Perhaps your list of every brilliant thing might even help you.
This lovely piece of theatre invites the audience to lend their imaginations to Chris' story as he recounts his childhood experiences of his mother’s depression, and his adult life, a story that’s both very sad and, amazingly, very, very funny.
Why did you want to get involved with this production?
Chris: From the moment I first started reading it, I knew I had to do it. It is heart breaking and yet packed with humour. As a performance it is daunting and unique, which just makes it irresistible. And as a piece it’s hugely relevant; awareness of mental health is greater than ever and everyone will find something in this play that echoes with something in their life.
What would be on your list of reasons worth living?
Chris: Lonely walks on Scottish hills, and space travel.
Every Brilliant Thing runs until Friday, September 27. To book call 0115 950 7201 or visiting lacemarkettheatre.co.uk.
