Second Half Productions, in association with Nica Burns and Paines Plough, has announced the West End premiere of Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe.
The critically acclaimed one-person play will run at @sohoplace from 1 August to 27 September 2025, with a rotating cast of four celebrated performers.
The season opens with Lenny Henry, followed by Jonny Donahoe, Ambika Mod, and Sue Perkins. Each actor will bring their own unique voice to this deeply moving and uplifting production.
Originally presented by Paines Plough at Roundabout at Summerhall in 2014, Every Brilliant Thing has since toured over 80 countries and was adapted into a successful HBO film.
The production is co-directed by Jeremy Herrin and Duncan Macmillan, with design by Vicki Mortimer, lighting by Jack Knowles, sound by Tom Gibbons, and casting by Jessica Ronane CDG.
Lenny Henry said, “I am thrilled to be working with the creative geniuses Duncan Macmillan and Jeremy Herrin. Duncan’s brilliant script is so touching and celebrates the importance of finding joy in the everyday – despite life’s obstacles. I cannot wait to perform this important play in the intimate setting of @sohoplace.”
Jonny Donahoe added, “It’s actually, properly BRILLIANT to be finally bringing Every Brilliant Thing to the West End @sohoplace with Duncan, Jeremy and everyone at Second Half Productions. It’s been 12 years since Duncan and I did two little scratch shows at a Shropshire poetry festival and a rural community centre; a decade since we ran off-Broadway for four and a half months; and a year since we started putting it back together at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. I am over the moon to be back performing this show that Duncan and I are so proud of, and to be joined by such an array of talent in Lenny, Sue and Ambika: it’s a dream come true.”
Ambika Mod said, “I have loved this play since first seeing it at the Fringe as a student comedian when I was 19 years old, so it’s a dream come true to now be able to bring it to the West End with the original team, as an adult actor, almost exactly 10 years later.”
Sue Perkins shared, “I was blown away when I read Duncan’s sparkling script and I’m so excited and honoured to get the chance to perform it @sohoplace.”
Jeremy Herrin, Founding Director of Second Half Productions, said, “I first encountered Every Brilliant Thing 11 years ago and it has stayed with me ever since. I am therefore thrilled that Second Half Productions together with Nica Burns and Paines Plough are bringing Duncan and Jonny’s extraordinary show to the West End for the first time, and to such a beautiful theatre at Soho Place. It’s an enormous privilege to be collaborating with the ever brilliant Duncan again to direct these exceptional performers – Lenny, Jonny, Ambika and Sue – who will each bring their own unique take on this moving, witty and joyful show. This is a modestly profound, genuinely uplifting piece of theatre magic that we need now, more than ever.”
Nica Burns added, “This joyful and entertaining play is perfect for our beautiful, intimate auditorium @sohoplace as we share and celebrate all the reasons to enjoy life. Each of our outstanding actors will bring their own special magic to Duncan Macmillan’s funny and heart-warming writing under the direction of award-winning Jeremy Herrin. An utterly delightful evening.”
Every Brilliant Thing is produced by Second Half Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Rodeo/Tilted, and Winkler & Smalberg, in association with Nica Burns and Paines Plough.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
