Minnie Driver is tracking Every Brilliant Thing in the Duncan Macmillan-Jonny Donahoe play's West End debut at @sohoplace through November 8, and newly released production shots are giving us a first look at the performance! Take a look in the gallery below.
Driver is part of a roster of stars leading the production through its run, which has also included Lenny Henry, co-writer and original star Donahoe, Ambika Mod, and former Great British Bake Off host Sue Perkins. Driver's stint is closing out the run.
The solo play debuted at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it played three sold-out consecutive summers before coming to Off-Broadway's Barrow Street Theatre in 2014. The latter run was filmed live and aired on HBO with Donahoe starring. The work returned to Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, where it was a Playbill Pick.
Minne Driver in Every Brilliant Thing
Minne Driver in Every Brilliant Thing
Minne Driver in Every Brilliant Thing
Minne Driver in Every Brilliant Thing
Minne Driver in Every Brilliant Thing
Minne Driver in Every Brilliant Thing
“I am thrilled to have been asked to be part of Every Brilliant Thing," said Driver in an earlier statement. "It’s an extraordinarily unique one-person show—funny, raw and kind, and crucially supported by the involvement of the audience, which adds a really interesting angle on storytelling.”
In the work, a nameless protagonist faces a distant father, a suicidal mother, and their own inexplicable deep sadness. And in a spark of childhood genius, they counteract these obstacles by chronicling every brilliant thing in the world—first to cheer up their depressed mother, and later for friends, lovers, and themself. Those things include items ranging from simple pleasures ("ice cream,” “the color yellow”) to the far more specific and detailed ("old people who are kind and don’t smell unusual,” “the even numbered Star Trek films").
Jeremy Herrin and Macmillan are at the helm, with design by Vicki Mortimer, lighting design by Jack Knowles, and sound design by Tom Gibbons.
Second Half Productions is producing along with Gavin Kalin Productions, Rodeo/Tilted, and Winkler & Smalberg, and in association with Nica Burns and Paines Plough.
Tickets are at SohoPlace.org.
