Every Brilliant Thing Tours 80 Countries Featuring Lenny Henry

Every Brilliant Thing is a one-person play written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe that explores suicidal depression through an interactive format involving the audience. Set in an in-the-round venue at Soho Place in London, the play follows a young boy who begins compiling a list of everything worth living for after his mother attempts suicide, with audience members participating by reading items from the list. The production, which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014 and has since been performed in over 80 countries, features a rotating cast of notable actors including Lenny Henry, Jonny Donahoe, Sue Perkins, Ambika Mod, and Minnie Driver, each bringing their own interpretation to the role. The show balances humor and poignancy, emphasizing themes of connection, community, and the importance of recognizing joy in everyday life. Co-directed by Macmillan and Jeremy Herrin, the play has grown in scale and continues to resonate deeply amid a growing national focus on mental health. Its success has also led to an HBO film adaptation.