Every Brilliant Thing

Phil Gibbons delivered a masterful performance in the heartwarming one-man play Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and directed with impeccable sensitivity by Kim Cooper. Performed in the (almost) round, the intimate setting drew the audience into the world of the unnamed protagonist, who navigates life’s darkest moments through the simple, yet profound act of creating a list of "every brilliant thing" worth living for.

From the moment Gibbons stepped onto the stage, he established an easy, inviting rapport with the audience. His natural charisma and nuanced portrayal of the character’s emotional journey—from a child grappling with his mother's depression to an adult seeking purpose and joy—were both poignant and deeply relatable. Gibbons effortlessly oscillated between humour and heartache, capturing the delicate balance of life's challenges with wit and warmth. His style of delivery ensured we didn’t miss a word and his confidence and grasp on the material was impressive.

Kim Cooper’s direction beautifully enhanced the nature of the play. She expertly paced the shifts between light-hearted moments and the more serious undercurrents of mental health, allowing the audience to experience the full emotional spectrum without ever feeling overwhelmed. The stage format further enhanced this intimacy, making the audience active participants in the unfolding story, which often relies on audience interaction—a technique that Gibbons managed with charm and spontaneity.

At its core, Every Brilliant Thing is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures: ice cream, listening to a music album for the first time, or the joy of making up after an argument. The play’s brilliance lies in its ability to take a subject as heavy as depression and transform it into something uplifting, thanks to Macmillan’s sharp, thoughtful writing and Gibbons’ captivating performance. The humour was genuine, and the moments of vulnerability were handled with a tenderness that lingered long after the final applause.

This production, directed by Cooper, finds the perfect balance between the play’s moments of levity and its deeper reflections on mental health and resilience. It was not just a performance—it was an experience, a collective one that left the audience with a renewed appreciation for the little things that make life beautiful.

In short, Every Brilliant Thing is a moving, funny, and life-affirming play. This version, simply staged and teched by the society team, saw Phil Gibbons shine in a role that required vulnerability, warmth, and wit, while Kim Cooper’s direction ensured that every emotional note hit home. This production from The Martyr’s Players reminds us all that in the face of life’s challenges, there is always something worth living for—sometimes, you just need to start a list.

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