Every Brilliant Thing written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and produced by Kick At The Dark Theatre Co-Operative is a piece of theatre that really emphasizes the play as an active verb. Here, we are given the opportunity to play with actor Andrew Chandler, and to help him tell this story in a way that is truly immersive, immediate, and alive.
The Bus Stop Theatre is set up in the round. Chandler speaks to the audience members as they come in, introducing himself to those he does not recognize, and asking folks if they would be able to help him out by taking a numbered piece of paper or prop and agreeing to read the words on it aloud when he calls that number during the show. The stakes, he promises, are low. Everyone in the audience last night agreed to help, all of us in the round put our trust in the room, and in Chandler’s ability to safely navigate us through this emotional journey. In turn, Chandler put a great deal of trust in us, that we would help fill in the story’s blanks with him and, ultimately, that we would play along. It is a special feeling to be in a room of strangers, acquaintances, and friends and being asked for this level of trust, for this level of investment in the theatre. It’s an experience impossible to replicate at home or in other entertainment mediums. This is the theatre doing what it does best.
Chandler tells us the story mostly in narration as a man in his late thirties reflecting back on a narrative that began when he was seven years old when he was picked up from school by his father, driven to the hospital and told only that his mother had “done something stupid.” The young boy is aware that his mother is Depressed, but doesn’t yet understand the depth and complexity of her experience, so he naively thinks, perhaps, he can remind her of all the reasons worth living for with a list of Every Brilliant Thing in the World. The list becomes a touchstone of his life as he grows and his connection with his mother, Depression, and suicide evolve and change. Macmillan grounds the play very much in the euphoric and charming nature of the act of appreciating and holding onto these thousands of brilliant things. It is clear they are not always enough, but, could they be the link that gets someone from one day to the next, and, eventually, to the place where they might try to reach out, try to seek help, try to grab ahold of something or someone?
The story is handled with a lot of care and gentleness, by the playwright, by Chandler, and by director Emily Jewer. The audience interaction and participation makes it feel like our narrator is not, in fact, alone onstage, but surrounded and supported by a group of folks who care about him. In getting the audience to haphazardly yell out the joyful brilliant things from the list, the playwright also allows the audience to be responsible for some of the brightness and levity in the show. We continually remind one another that the world, which can often feel like a dumpster fire, is also filled with amazing, beautiful, magical, and special things, people, and feelings.
Every Brilliant Thing is very moving and very intimate. It is a show very much about someone looking for community, looking for a meaningful connection to help him through a difficult time, and finding it when a crowd of theatregoers come through the doors.
Every Brilliant Thing plays at the Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street, Halifax) until November 10th, 2019. All shows are at 8pm, but there is also a 2:00pm show on Sunday, November 10th. Tickets are $20.00-$25.00 and are AVAILABLE HERE or at the door at the Bus Stop before she show.
Content note: Every Brilliant Thing contains reference to depression and suicide. These topics are treated respectfully, and with care. The tone of the evening is uplifting. However, in the event of a mental health emergency, a trained mental health first aider will be present at all performances.
Kick At The Dark Theatre Co-Operative has partnered with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, there will be opportunities to make a donation to this organization at The Bus Stop during the run of this production, or you can read about more ways to give HERE.
You can following Kick At The Dark Theatre Co-Operative on Social Media: Facebook. Twitter. and Instagram (@KickAtTheDarkTheatre).
