NWTC Presents 'Every Brilliant Thing' in 3 Interpretations

On Tuesday 5 May 2026, the New World Theatre Club (NWTC) held a dress rehearsal of one-act play Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan, which will run in three different interpretations in May and June 2026.

This English-language play has received acclaim in London’s West End. Running for an hour and ten minutes, it tells the story of a protagonist whose life begins in the shadow of their mother’s severe depression. In an attempt to help her, they start making a list of “every brilliant thing” that gives meaning to life. The list continues to grow as they move into adulthood and face life’s challenges and experiences.

Chronicle.lu attended the play, directed by Jen Fahy and performed by Danny Wells, which will be staged for the public on Wednesday 6 May and Thursday 7 May 2026 at Sang a Klang in Luxembourg-Pfaffenthal.

The play opens as a monologue introducing the main character and their life. Within the first minutes, the actor began to involve the public, who willingly engaged and supported the unfolding story, helping to create a sense of shared experience and interaction.

Staged in the main hall, the performance moved away from the traditional elevated stage. Instead, the actor performed within the audience space, breaking down the distance between performer and spectators.

With clear diction, strong voice and excellent storytelling skills, the performance held attention without the need for elaborate costumes or props. The simple production only involved the music and lights, allowing the focus to remain firmly on the narrative and the connection between the actor and the audience.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, the director explained the audition and rehearsal process, noting that the selection was made from about 22 candidates. She said they favoured slightly older actors for the role, as it “demands a strong sense of life experience to be convincing”, adding that a one-person play is more challenging than a traditional ensemble production, as the actor must “carry the entire play”, memorising a text of around an hour’s worth of material.

Jen Fahy added that rehearsals started in early March and that, throughout the process, the three directors shared ideas and supported each other.

Shortly before the performance, actress Danny Wells said she had not performed for two decades but decided to audition after being drawn to the script. She added that the play resonated with her on a personal level, noting that she had had to put down her dog the day before her audition, mirroring a moment in the script.

“The play explores deeply personal and universal themes,” she continued, noting that it addresses topics many people can relate to.

Further interpretations of the play are scheduled for Wednesday 20 May and Thursday 21 May 2026, featuring Christine Probst-Staffen as actor and Christina Zikou as director, also at Sang a Klang.

Additional performances will take place on Friday 5 June and Saturday 6 June 2026, with Arron Lemon as actor and Jason Hudson as director, at the International School of Luxembourg (ISL) Drama Studio.

Tickets are available for individual performances or as a bundle option. Regular tickets allow attendance at a selected date, time and venue, while a bundle ticket option allows audiences to attend one performance from each of the three scheduled sets. Ticket prices range from €15 to €45, with standard adult tickets priced at €21, reduced member tickets at €19 and student tickets at €15, excluding small service fees.

The ISL Drama Studio venue is recommended for persons with mobility issues. Tickets are available online at www.nwtc.lu.