The Belfry Theatre is doing some different for its holiday-season play this year, foregoing the more traditional A Christmas Carol or Miracle on 34th Street, for a more pared down, intimate and interactive work.
Every Brilliant Thing, which opened Tuesday (Dec. 3) and runs through Dec. 22, centres on a single woman, simply named Her and played by Dawn Petten. The character writes lists, lists she’s written since she was seven years old, lists she writes for her chronically depressed mother to try and inspire her to see the joy in life.
Described as a “heart-rending yet hopeful play about the lengths we go to for those we love,” the play involves audience participation to help Her deliver a new list of all the things that make life worth living, from ice cream to roller coasters to the smell of old books.
“This is simply one of the most moving pieces of theatre I have ever seen,” Belfry artistic director Michael Shamata says in his “Why I Chose This Play” statement. “It is so full of life, and pain, and joy, and yearning – it overflows with humanity. And its remarkable use of the audience as participants in the storytelling makes for a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience.”
The play, written by playwright Duncan Macmillan and British comedian Jonny Donahoe, is directed by Estelle Shook. It’ll be performed in the round in a “transformed” Belfry that promises to be a very intimate theatre space.
For more information and tickets visit belfry.bc.ca or call the box office at 250-385-6815.
– Joseph Blake
editor@mondaymag.com
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