Every Brilliant Thing

One man shows have the possibly of being exceedingly boring, however, this performance in Every Brilliant Thing by actor Jason Klarwein had the audience wanting more.

Klarwein commenced his performance on the sparse but compact in-the-round-set, by getting off his chair in the audience and communicating in a normal voice. There was no grand drum-roll entrance, nor did he try to impress with Richard Burton-like vocals. Klarwein, casually dressed, simply talked to us. 

Klarwein’s character, in this complex but funny play, tries to help his mother through a period of deep depression by compiling a list of good things to do. A list written on everything available, including shoes and wallpaper.

The story takes us from his early childhood, to his university days and to his eventual marriage to a girl called Sam. Throughout Klarwein interacts with the audience; at times sitting with them or calling them onstage to hold a prop or getting them to read words from set cards. He is always in control but prepared to concede if serendipity happens. His performance is energetic, moving and very funny.

The play itself has a dark theme of depression, suicide, and reflective self-criticism, but it is well handled by the authors and enhanced by Jason Klarwein’s brilliant acting.

The play ended on a quiet, sombre note, as a single light focused on an old gramophone player playing an appropriate record. It was a wonderful ending to a brilliant play and a sensational one-man performance.

Ken Cotterill