Every Brilliant Thing

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Theatre (comedy, drama)

  • Venue 26
    ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall - ROUNDABOUT
  • 11:45
  • Aug 24
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Suitability: 14+ (Guideline)
  • Country: United Kingdom - England
  • Group: Paines Plough and Second Half Productions
  • Warnings and additional info: Audience participation, Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing
  • Accessibility:
    Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Captioning
    Signed Performance
    Relaxed Performance
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 1 year
Please note, latecomers may not be admitted.

Description

Ten years on from the play’s debut, a new production of the smash-hit comes to Roundabout, directed by Duncan Macmillan and performed by Jonny Donahoe. You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done something stupid'. She finds it hard to be happy. So you make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for. Ice cream. Water fights. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV. The colour yellow. Rollercoasters. People falling over. A play about depression and the lengths we go to for those we love.

Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].

General venue access

  • Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Captioning
    Signed Performance
    Relaxed Performance
  • Accessible entry: Once in the Courtyard, standing facing the Royal Dick pub take the alleyway to the left. Roundabout is the Yellow Tent in front of you. Permanent ramp to access Courtyard. Performance space is on Ground Floor

    • Wheelchair access type: Permanent Ramp, Level Access

  • Stairs: Information not supplied

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info

Signed performances

  • Dates: 12 August
  • Interpreter: Lisa Humphrey - Not Selected
  • Type: BSL
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team to book your tickets and request any specific seating requests in relation to the location of the interpeter.

Captioned performances

  • Dates: 15 August, 22 August
  • Type: Closed (Tablet)
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team to book your tickets and request any specific seating locations or if booking a unit is required.

Relaxed performances

  • Dates: 19 August
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team for more information or to discuss any accessibility requirements.
  • Additional information: Information not supplied

Be aware that this show features:

  • Audience required to sing/speak along with/for performer
  • Audience invited on stage
  • Performer goes into audience area
  • Permission to move around and make noise

Show does not feature:

  • Total Audience Black Out
  • Flashing Lights/Strobed Lighting
  • Loud/repetitive/high pitched/unexpected or overlapping sound
  • Distinctive smells
  • Special effects (e.g. smoke/bubbles/pyrotechnics)
  • Latex balloons
  • Characters expressing anger
  • Heavily dialogue-driven scenes
  • Audience required to walk around
  • Audience required to undertake directed movement
  • An intermission
  • Audience chill out area
  • Permission to engage with performer
  • Show guide or synopsis or character list

How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Jan Parker 26 days ago

Saw this with my son 10yrs ago - his 1st ever perf at the Fringe.It set, and sets, a very high bar for what theatre can and must do.Important, unforgettable, off the top of any scale.Thankyou.

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Dr Anindita Sarkar 27 days ago

Can you capture the brilliance of the world in one list?

In the heart of the fringe festival, "Every Brilliant Thing" shines once again with original star and co-author Jonny Donahoe reclaiming his role, guided by the direction of Macmillan. What sets this production aglow is its unique invitation for the audience to step into the narrative, becoming intertwined with the story as it unfolds. I voiced the 654th brilliant thing and the room erupted in applause, a testament to the emotional connection forged through collective participation.

The show's distinctive format possesses a poignant quality that resonates deeply with individuals, stirring powerful emotions and reflections. Under Macmillan's guidance, the text has been delicately adjusted to mirror the evolving media landscape's portrayal of suicide, ensuring its relevance and impact in today's world. "Every Brilliant Thing" was a touching watch of resilience, connection, and the beauty found in life's simplest joys.

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Erika 29 days ago

A must see. I loved every second of this show. The roundabout is a perfect venue for it, too. All the bits and audience involvement was so perfect! I'd venture to say most of us have been impacted by depression in one way or another and I loved how that wasn't the emotional bit but all the joy! All the reasons and everyone so keen to be a part of it moved me to tears throughout. Loved it so much.

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Jan C 30 days ago

This show is certainly one brilliant thing!
Great writing, brilliantly performed,
The best thing we’ve seen at the Fringe this year.

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Beatrice B 34 days ago

This sounds like a joke but genuinely I did not like this. Made me want to kms more than when I sat down. Idk bc this show worked for others but every brilliant thing is not brilliant for everyone.

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Craig Brown 40 days ago

Top-Tier Fringe Show - A must-see!!!

I loved this show. Heart warming and heart breaking. I am NOT a fan of audience participation, but trust me when I say that the way this show is staged and performed, there is an inclusiveness here that brings the audience into the show such that any trepidation you may feel evaporates immediately.

This show is truly beautiful and I really hope it comes to London for a run so I can take everyone I know to see it.

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Seth Alcorn 43 days ago

A heartwarming, hilarious, and heartbreaking show about depression, loss, grief, and hope. The audience participation sections were expertly managed and added to the emotional impact of the play. Highly recommend seeing it.

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Rob Kennedy 44 days ago

Number one of brilliant things is “ice cream”. It should be this show. Amazing and moving. Best theater I have seen in ages. 5 stars

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Celeste 44 days ago

This show was so heartwarming ! It will stick with me for a while, the story is told with such kindness and truth, offering to think about mental health in a new way. Left me very emotional and yet hopeful and wanting to share this feeling with everyone. It’s a must see!!!

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Lauren Bell 44 days ago

A masterclass in audience participation. Kind, comfy, strong, beautiful. So glad I managed to get a ticket, wow.

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Jessica Brigham 44 days ago

Number 1,000,001: This show!

The fact the show has sold out so quickly speaks for itself! I absolutely loved it. I thought that the audience participation was done in a really clever way, without leaving the audience feeling pressured or stressed to be involved. I was gently approached and asked if I wouldn’t mind being involved, and I’m so glad I was! It added so much to what would’ve already been an amazing experience.

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I B 47 days ago

Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure, this show will stay with me for a very long time. Amazing performance from Jonny Donahoe - the standing ovation says it all!

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Maria Paz 48 days ago

I hope this show is on the list of brilliant things! Loved it from beginning to end. Creative, relevant, thoughtful, funny. The main character connects with the audience and makes them part of his story and leaves them reflecting of the topic for days and years to come I believe.

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ANGUS MCINTOSH 50 days ago

This is really brilliant. Everybody was really moved and there was a standing ovation for Jonny Donahoe

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

Everything Theatre (5/5 stars) 21 days ago

A poignant and life-affirming piece of theatre

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Across the Arts (4/5 stars) 29 days ago

'a masterclass in tackling trauma with drama.'

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Edinburgh Festival Magazine (4/5 stars) 31 days ago

For entry number one million and one, Jonny Donahoe can add standing ovation to his list of Every Brilliant Thing.

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The Quinntessential Review (5/5 stars) 32 days ago

Those for whom elements of the play ring true are advised to bring tissues. ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ is joyful, but it’s also emotionally devastating at times. Expect to laugh, clap, cheer, and weep before the lights go down on ‘Every Brilliant Thing.’

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The Student (5/5 stars) 32 days ago

brilliant piece of theatre

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The British Theatre Guide (5/5 stars) 33 days ago

This is a great story brilliantly told, and Donohoe is the perfect teller of it.

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The Guardian (5/5 stars) 38 days ago

One thing that should be on every fringe-goer’s list is Every Brilliant Thing.

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North West End UK (5/5 stars) 39 days ago

In the Roundhouse the magic is happening again. The play, that might well have been written for this space ten years ago has lost none of its brilliance or popularity. It demonstrates why life is worth living, and you believe it.

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FringeReview 45 days ago

The masterful dramaturgy of Duncan Macmillan and the charming performance of Jonny Donahoe made the play amusing and moving. The audience participation gave the play an impressive dynamism and offered most of the comedic moments, from the expert hand of Jonny Donahoe. There was not a single dry eye in the house, while laughs all throughout were also not in short supply.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.