Review: Every Brilliant Thing is brillant theatre

Every Brilliant Thing – by Duncan MacMillan and British comedian Jonny Donahoe tracks the story about a man who starts his story when he is seven and his mother attempts suicide for the first time. In order to come to terms with his grief and confusion, the seven year old starts a list of every brilliant thing in this world – reasons to live and not leave this world- in the hope of convincing his mom – and himself that everything will be okay. The list of 1000 grows as he goes through life and deals with his relationships – living in the shadow of his mom and her battles and how as a family they pivot around the elephant in the room. Every Brilliant Thing is brilliant theatre – exceptional script, innovative immersive staging, deeply nuanced and layered performance by Miguel de Sampaio, who despite being only 22, imbues his character (characters actually) with gravitas.

The play combines improvisation and audience participation. This is not easy to do. Often theatre which involves audience participation and improv – is quite frankly a mess. With the charismatic and animated de Sampaio and the excellent direction by Jeff Brooker, cueing songs and burst of music, the play is a pleasure to watch and experience. It is sad, uplifting and ultimately inspiring – a call-out to appreciate and embrace the brilliant things in life- even when so much is not a picnic.

Miguel de Sampaio is a recent graduate of LAMTA (Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy) and this season is being presented at the LAMTA Studio (upstairs from Theatre on the Bay). It was wondrous to be immersed in this performance, with the sun setting over Camps Bay, with nature light bathing de Sampaio and the audience, in the warm embrace of the sunset. Absolutely magical.

 De Sampaio’s energy is wonderful as he scampers around the space, inviting members in the audience to cue in brilliant things – such as The Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup for the 4^th time. Don’t be afraid at the prospect of audience participation. If a person is not comfortable going up onto the small podium, no problem, there is no pressure and another person is invited. This is very much a safe space. The result is a riveting theatre experience which resonates in so many directions. It is not only a play which grapples with mental health and suicide. On a broader level, for me, at the heart of this play, is the notion of what therapists term “anticipatory grief”. Living with people who do not want to live, who are ill, and who battle with substance abuse and other conditions, there is a sense of anticipation and dread, anticipating the grief of what comes next. How one does continue to live one’s life and give support?

Beyond the personal stuff, we are all in anticipatory grief over wars, conflicts, global warming, climate change, Eskom and load shedding and so on. Somehow, we need to nurture the golden moments and find beauty and fun, where we can. Every Brilliant Things is all of that. This is exceptional theatre- an exceptional play with a mesmerising performance by Miguel de Sampaio (wow- award worthy), impeccable direction by Jeff Brooker, seamlessly weaving the script, ad libbing, improv and audience participation.

Brooker and Goldblum told me after the show, that part of getting the rights for the play is to localise references so we can relate. For example, Cape Town and Pretoria are mentioned and so is Camps Bay. Interestingly the play began as a short story and was extensively workshopped. The script is superb.  Bravo to Brooker and his co-producer Dean Goldblum and the awesome Miguel de Sampaio. The current season wraps up on December 2, 2023. There was a run of this production in 2019 at The Drama Factory (I did not see that production). Hopefully, there will be a return run at the LAMTA Studio – enchanting to watch (shows start at 6pm) as the sun sets in Camps Bay.

✳ Featured image of Miguel de Sampaio in Every Brilliant Thing, Cape Town, 2023, produced by Jeff Brooker Productions and Dean Goldblum. Pic supplied.