Theatre / Every Brilliant Thing, directed by Joel Horwood. At ACTHub Theatre, Kingston, until August 25. Reviewed by LEN POWER.

In Duncan MacMillan’s play, a seven-year-old boy makes a list of every brilliant thing in the world as a way of dealing with a suicidal mother. 

The list grows and what had been a way of naively getting through the day becomes, as the decades pass, a way of giving meaning to life through the celebration of everyday things.

This one-person play is edgy, surprising and also very funny as the performer takes us on the bumpy journey through his life and his lists. Relating incidents and characters as he grows to adulthood, the audience is drawn deeply into the play.

In a theatre-in-the-round setting, audience members are greeted by a relaxed and engaging performer as they arrive. His informality is key to events as the play unfolds.

Jarrad West is outstanding as the Narrator. Whether looking back to his time as a seven year old, to his teenage years and then on to his adult life, he is completely convincing. 

It’s a performance on a knife-edge, relying throughout on audience responses. West never falters, bringing energy as well as a touching sensitivity to the role.

There is an excellent sound design by Nikki Fitzgerald of snippets from songs that have a meaning in the character’s life, adding a welcome sentimentality to the show. We empathise with the power of music on him.

Joel Horwood’s direction is tight, busy and imaginative, giving West the opportunity to bring depth, both verbally and non-verbally, to his role.

There is some audience participation in the play, but it’s so well-written and staged that it’s a plus and a highlight. No-one should find it threatening. In fact, as everyone becomes a part of this story, you’ll probably hope to be involved.