Staging of Every Brilliant Thing in UAE (Photo: courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation)
The play had its Arab world premiere in Egypt on 13 May 2022 at Rawabet Art Space, followed by multiple sold-out performances and reprises.
It enjoyed equal success in Lebanon, with stagings at Beirut’s Zico House and Studio Laban, as well as in Sharjah, NYU Abu Dhabi, and other locations.
Earlier this year, the play embarked on a special tour across Upper Egypt and the Delta, resonating deeply with diverse audiences and demonstrating the text’s accessibility regardless of nationality or background.
Story of hope and mental health in Arabic
Every Brilliant Thing is a play written by Duncan Macmillan in the 2010s that explores a heartfelt journey through a mother’s suicidal depression and its impact on her family.
Director Ahmed El-Attar handled the mise-en-scène, translation, and adaptation of the play into Arabic as part of the Theatre in Translation project, which seeks to translate 24 contemporary European plays into Arabic—each representing a different European country.
Cairo-based Syrian actress Nanda Mohamed is the protagonist of the Egyptian version of this monodrama.
By incorporating Egyptian cultural references and inviting audience participation, the play becomes highly accessible and engaging for viewers.
These cultural touches and interactive elements bring warmth and connection to an otherwise sombre exploration of one of the most challenging psychological conditions.
In Sharjah, the play will be staged on 24 and 25 October 2025 at Shajar Car Park, Aljada, followed by performances on 1 and 2 November in front of the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre.
Read the full review here.
Short link: