Presented by Singapore Pools and produced by Gateway Arts, a brand-new adaptation by Oliver Chong of Every Brilliant Thing comes to stage this September for Gateway Arts’ third production of their 2024 season.

Based on the original script by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, Every Brilliant Thing is adapted, directed, and designed by Oliver Chong, who himself starred in a Mandarin version of the play back in 2022. Starring Sharon Sum, the play opens with a young girl who, at seven years old, begins a list of everything worth living for after her mother’s first suicide attempt. She continues adding to this list through university, marriage, and her own struggles with her mother’s mental health. Every Brilliant Thing is more than just a play; it is an invitation to reflect on life’s beauty and the power of shared experiences.

The multi-award-winning playwright, director, and actor Oliver Chong says “This play is precious to me. It completes my trilogy of one-man shows from Roots to A Fiend’s Diary to Every Brilliant Thing. In retrospect, the trilogy seems to reflect a universal progression from self-awareness, to world comprehension, to universal compassion. This wasn’t intentional at all and it only dawned on me when a critic who followed all three monologues articulated it in a review after watching Every Brilliant Thing (2023). And so now, I’m directing someone else apart from myself in Every Brilliant Thing (2024) and I’m excited to see how this character continues to exist from a female perspective.”

He adds, “Audience interaction is a very important part of the play. Audience members will be more involved in helping the storyteller tell her story. The quality of interaction will affect the depth of the storytelling.”

Gateway Arts is supported by presenting sponsor Singapore Pools (Private) Limited. Says Mr Lam Chee Weng, CEO of Singapore Pools: “Our partnership with Gateway Arts as a homegrown organisation is deeply meaningful, enabling us to champion mental wellness through their impactful productions like Every Brilliant Thing. It not only provokes thought, but encourages conversations and tackles social issues to inspire change. In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, we hope to raise awareness and promote a deeper understanding of mental health, reinforcing our commitment to community support. We proudly stand alongside Gateway Arts, and are excited to witness the positive impact of this collaboration.”

Priscilla Khong, Executive Director of Gateway Arts and Executive Producer of the play, elaborates on how the production embodies the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” and the associated call to action, “Start the Conversation”. “The staging of this play is particularly timely, as suicide remains the leading cause of death among youths aged 10-29, accounting for 30% of all deaths in this age group, according to data released by Samaritans of Singapore in July 2024. As part of our 2024 season, Gateway Arts is committed to fostering mental resilience among youths. Our initiatives aim to increase awareness of mental wellness, impart coping strategies, and provide resources for helpseeking, highlighted by our productions SmartyPants and the Swordfish in March and I and You in May. Every Brilliant Thing addresses themes of depression and heartbreak while celebrating joy, forgiveness, and resilience, perfectly aligning with the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day – ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide.’ Our goal is to spark meaningful conversations and alter perceptions of mental health through the transformative power of theatre.”

“We are thrilled for this partnership with Gateway Arts – it is a collaboration driven by our shared commitment to suicide prevention and mental health awareness,” said Mr. Gasper Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Samaritans of Singapore Ltd. “It underscores the importance of community support in addressing suicide prevention challenges, fostering an environment where individuals feel supported and understood. Leveraging on the unique emotional and educational power of theatre, we hope Every Brilliant Thing will create impactful experiences for the audience and encourage openness, reduce stigma, and promote mental well-being.”

Every Brilliant Thing plays from 6th to 15th September 2024 (New Show at 2pm on the 15th September) at Gateway Theatre Black Box. Tickets available here