Roe Reviews Theatre

This is another play that is very dear to my heart, seeing it 4 times during it’s rehearsal and performances at the Criterion last September I couldn’t miss seeing it again for one last time

In a desperate attempt to heal his mother from mental health struggles, the narrator from the age of seven puts together a list of every brilliant thing in the world. Items cannot be repeated and it isn’t in any particular order. As the narrator’s life goes on he picks up and puts down the list as he experiences his own life full of brilliant things. Not to mention it is based on true stories.

Being a one person show it’s up to the audience to portray and ad-lib characters; from the narrator’s childhood therapist, his father and a vet, to a nice old couple that don’t smell weird. They are also given paper of items on the list to read out as their number is called, some hilarious and others heartwarming.

Jon Elves is an incredibly talented actor and brings this story of innocence and hope alive through every word and the bonds that he creates with each audience member is captivating. Assisting nervous 1st time actors to expertly reigning in ones who tend to go slightly overboard. The combinations of audience members he chooses proves no one is safe but gives the play even more of an intimate feel as we see how the narrators childhood shaped into the man he has become and the bonds he creates with people around him.

This performance was also special for another reason, when the Criterion faced the loss of Sally Patalong, the theatres resident librarian and props extraordinaire for over 40 years, Jon made the touching tribute of changing the name of the narrators childhood therapist from Mrs Patterson to Mrs Patalong, the role she was chosen to play on a performance she came to see in the September run. There was not a dry eye in the house 🕊️

This play felt like a warm hug and is on my own list of Every Brilliant Thing.