‘Every Brilliant Thing’ is a play with a cast of one.
It contrasts a young boy’s enthusiasm for life with the dark reality of his mother’s state of mind, and evolves into a profoundly uplifting piece of fringe theatre which adroitly inducts the audience into its storytelling.
It’s the latest production in Music Theatre Guernsey’s ‘Play and a Pint’ series at the Fermain Tavern, directed by MTG founder Darren Alderton and starring theatre-studies undergraduate Harry Snell.
“We meet my character aged seven, when his mum is in hospital and his dad says she’s ‘done something stupid’,” says Harry.
“To cheer her up, he starts a list of all the brilliant things in life worth living for – from ice cream to laughing so hard you shoot milk through your nose. The list grows into adulthood and becomes a lifeline – a way to connect and find hope amid the darkness.”
The play, written by Duncan Macmillan, involves audience interaction, with participants reading out items from the list and becoming characters in the storyteller’s life.
“Every Brilliant Thing is a poignant and uplifting exploration of depression and the enduring power of love and connection,” says Darren.
“Based on a true story, it’s a celebration of life’s simple pleasures and a testament to the human spirit’s ability to find beauty even in the face of immense pain.”
He said working with Harry again – after last year’s well-received musical Carrie – had been “a truly rewarding experience”.
“I knew he possessed a remarkable dedication to his craft and his current studies in theatre at the University of York made this opportunity to develop his skills on home soil a natural fit, perfectly aligning with MTG’s commitment to providing practical applications for the theoretical knowledge students gain off-island.
“From the very first rehearsal, Harry’s commitment was evident. He arrived with every line of the 90-minute monologue meticulously highlighted, a testament to his preparedness and dedication. It’s a challenging piece, and the speed at which he learned it was truly impressive. We’ve had a lot of fun finding fresh ways to tell this story, utilising both practical elements and theatrical effects to enhance the narrative. Harry’s insights and enthusiasm have been invaluable and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created together.”
“This play has been an exciting challenge to work on,”says Harry.
“Line learning aside, the play is a real emotional rollercoaster, ranging from childish joy to teenage anger and adult heartache. Performing all this within an hour and a half is a challenge I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting during the past few weeks, especially with the support of Darren and the rest of MTG.”
‘Every Brilliant Thing’ will be performed at the Fermain Tavern between
16-19 July.
Tickets are available via mtgsy.gg and are priced £16.