Director's Note
​
The Guardian called Every Brilliant Thing “heart-wrenchingly hilarious” and I can’t think of a better description.
​
The collaboration of master playwright Duncan Macmillan and actor/comedian/writer Jonny Donahoe has resulted in a piece that is, often in the same moment, funny, sad, uncomfortable and thought provoking.
​
This production gave us the opportunity to try something a bit different. Firstly its subject matter is not one we have tackled before. It is the story of the protagonist's lifetime writing a list of brilliant things to try and help his mother cope with her "hard-wired depression" (and ultimately how the list actually helped him become the man he is). It's a topic still shrouded in fear and taboo and this was something Will and I are passionate about breaking down and normalising us talking about mental health.
The play is masterfully constructed to charm the audience and make them laugh, just before you pull the rug from under their feet; and it would not have been possible to do this without an actor of the calibre of Will Desmond, who carried the audience with him through the whole hour and a quarter, garnering our first ever standing ovations.
​
Secondly it is a play that is in part created by the audience, with everyone having the chance to speak one of the brilliant things and a few people asked to play some of the key characters. This made the atmosphere in the audience electric as they felt such ownership of the play and each night was different depending on what the audience themselves contributed.
​
This is a production that will live in my heart for a very long time.
Elie Williams
Director
​
REVIEWS:
From NODA
Will Desmond, what a talented young man, had the ability to connect with each individual in the audience drawing them into their part of the story without making them feel self-conscious.
The way Will seamlessly integrates these interactions into the narrative is nothing short of masterful.
While Every Brilliant Thing is filled with humour and warmth, it also touches on the darker aspects of life such as mental illness, loss and the struggle to find happiness, but through the
laughter and the audience participation it never feels overwhelming.
​
Instead, it’s a celebration of resilience, of finding joy in the small things, and of the importance of human connection.
This is a play that should be seen more but you have got to have a Will Desmond.
​
​
From our audience:
It was a privilege to be there. What a talented young man Will is!.. A powerful play and I wish you all the best with it. I think it will have a big impact.
​
Just bloody brilliant. Will's connection with the audience, extraordinary changes in pace and energy, comedy to tragedy, I was completely blown away.
​
The play was absolutely brilliant and so engaging. I’ll be thinking about it for a few days I’m sure! Will was phenomenal, his interaction, energy and connection with the audience just so good. Amazing work, all of you, well done
​
Another excellent production by the Shoreham Players set in an effectively evocative space simply crafted in the village hall with an energised empathetic performance by Will Desmond aided by a responsive audience.
​
We attended the show tonight and it was beyond amazing. It's an incredible production and we laughed, cried and felt emotions that were shared with the amazing crowd for tonight's show. It is amazing what you do for such a small village. Please, Please, please pat yourselves on the back and know you have hit this one out of the park and it's going to be something we all remember for a very long time. Thanks to the audience for also being so involved. Can't wait for the next one.
​​
Captivating and thoroughly enjoyable, a rollercoaster of emotions, yo-yo’ing from very funny to very sad and back. The audience participation had us all gripped! Big congrats to all involved
​​