The trains have been cancelled from Thames Ditton , but I’m ok. The station has internet and good coffee so I can muse about yesterday’s theatre.
Every Brilliant Thing is a unique production, part one woman show, part audience participation it features an unnamed girl, who we witness navigating the tricky path of the daughter of a mom with severe mental illness. The mother attempts suicide ( several times) during the child’s and then adult character’s life and several members of the audience are roped in to play important life characters such as a vet, the child’s father, a school therapist, a college tutor and finally the girl’s boyfriend.
Of course these parts are brief and accessible by the public who gamely join in , but I was surprisingly moved by several of the performances. The woman who played the therapist for example looked and acted as a therapist , using a sock glove puppet to gently cajole the girl into talking about her fears.
Minnie Driver is a revelation here too, before the performance started we watched her carefully select her characters, grooming them gently into their roles with charm and wit. During the performance she guided them effortlessly giving the narrative a flow and pathos all of its own.
The title Every Brilliant Thing refers to the girl’s coping mechanism. She uses an ever growing list of things to be thankful for , as a panacea to the bewildering hurt she is experiencing. The list grows with the audience shouting out more obscure brilliant things as we watch, incredibly moved , as the girl grows into a damaged young woman having to cope with the eventual suicide of her mother.
The last time I was so moved by a piece of theatre was Come From Away and that was just after lockdown, so Every Brilliant Thing was a wonderful surprise
After the play we had a drink in soho then a lovely Chinese meal in Chinatown before home. Apart from a rapt time in the theatre Nu and I caught up with hours of chat
And I feel replenished, this morning, even though the trains have been cancelled
It sounds a very interesting piece of theatre. Glad you had a lovely time. x
ReplyDeleteIt was a a lovely day
DeleteI've read about this production and wondered how it would go. It's very demanding on the actor. I see there's a succession of them, so the production probably varies a bit as it goes. I'm glad the trip was so good. Despite the trains.
ReplyDeleteOther actors including Lenny Henry and Sue Perkins have starred in this production . Nu saw lenny and although the plot was the same it proved to be a very different show
DeleteIt sounds like a unique piece of theatre and something you could relate to. So glad you had a lovely time in good company. Such days give one a real boost. Charmaine
ReplyDeleteIt had great resonance with me
DeleteSo glad you and Nu could catch up and watch this play, which sounds so unique. I'd have died if I'd been chosen to participate. Yeesh! Now your batteries are recharged, and off you go to live your unique life!
ReplyDeleteI think the actress chose the participants with care, picking the extroverts and the confident for the more interactive roles. The elderly American lady who played a university tutor was perfect mini casting too
DeleteHello John,
ReplyDeleteonce upon a time we used to say that England was a country which worked and Hungary definitely did not. However, and very sadly, these days, the roles seem to be reversed. Why trains from Budapest can reach Venice perfectly on time, every time and trains in Britain seem to stop at every leaf is a total mystery to us.
So pleased that the memory of the performance at the theatre and the coffee cheered up the waiting time.
The hattatts!
DeleteI would love to enter Venice by train, to see Venezia Santa Lucia then the grand canal beyond
That sounds like a fantastic production. I think we could all do with a list of things to be thankful for. Glad you and Nu were able to catch up again. I'm sure, just as she feeds your soul, you feed hers. xx
ReplyDeleteMeeting her was first on my list of every brilliant things
DeleteSounds like a great recharge. I hope the trains are running again soon.
ReplyDeleteI can face 2 more nights at the weekend now
DeleteItr must be fascinating and refreshing for the actor to have virtually a different play each performance.
ReplyDeleteAnd such a stressful one , however driver seemed incredibly capable in her directions
DeleteThat sounds like just the day you needed. Sometimes a train delay is sent just to give you time to sit and drink coffee and reflect ... other times it's a leaf on the line.
ReplyDeleteThames ditton station has an elderly Turkish cafe owner who a delightfully friendly character
DeleteI loved meeting him again
Perfect. Seeing a glorious surprise show that grabs you by the throat, downtime with your best friend. Opens up abd eases your heart. So who cares about the train, it allows you to steal time from time itself.
ReplyDeleteIt was an incredibly powerful show, important too
DeleteI am so happy for you and Nu, John. I have a few friends like that. I do not have your gift for words to express how very important they are to us but when I read this - I get it - wow do I get it! Off to call a far away friend now...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy them Jackie x
DeleteMinnie Driver deserves kudos for managing all of that. She must be exhausted after every performance. Sounds pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteStanding evation and off the stage she went to repeat the performance later
DeleteSounds like a good time with Nu. I think you always have a good time with Nu!
ReplyDeleteFor the last 36 years I have indeed
DeleteSounds like a wonderful play.
ReplyDeleteAnd a wonderful day
DeleteReal life circumstances on stage, performed well sounds outstanding to me.
ReplyDeleteGood times are always guaranteed when you and Nu meet-up. The Chinese meal sounds luscious too.
Bloody lovely
DeleteEvery Brilliant Thing sounds amazing and so interesting, especially for professionals like you!
ReplyDeleteHow shall you get home without the trains??
You and Nu always do each other a world of good!
Hugs!
They came back on line after an hour , I caught the 10 am train home and was in Trelawnyd by quarter to one
DeleteGlad you were home in time to rest up and reflect on the good times with Nu!
DeleteHugs!
What an interesting concept for a play. I love it. I am glad you had such a fine time with a good friend.
ReplyDeleteA lovely day all told xx
DeleteI know a young woman who grew up in similar circumstances, so this play makes me think of her. I hope she can nevertheless have a decent adult life, although I fear for her.
ReplyDeleteWhat I loved about the play is that it also brought in the Samaritans’ guidelines for media reporting of a suicide
DeleteLovely that you had such a good time apart from the train cancellation.
ReplyDeleteThat turned out to be a positive , as al the elderly turkish manager of the railway cafe made me a great coffee
Deletehttps://www.facebook.com/AboutTD/photos/thames-ditton-stational-is-now-opening-caf%C3%A9-noir-daily-from-630-930am-for-the-ea/3444400838904343/
That sounds like a definitely worthwhile trip....and the return journey adding Adventure..better than that happening on the outward journey!!
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t some distruption
DeleteI wish , I had my own Nu
ReplyDeleteI haven’t
And you have, an old friend who loves you regardless of your flaws and imperfections
I envy you Johno
Lee
I like Minnie Driver in the movies I've seen her in. From your review, I might like her even more on stage.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such an intriguing show! Very thought provoking. I sometimes try to think of the positive things in my life when things seem particularly dire. Often it helps.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a catch up with Nu. She is so good for your well being.
I've heard very good things about this show but haven't had a chance to see it. Maybe you'll motivate me!
ReplyDelete