Making good use of the circus tent aspect of Roundabout’s theatre space, Every Brilliant Thing is a remarkably cheerful story about overcoming grief. Directed by his friend Duncan Macmillan, Jonny Donahoe (the pair co-wrote this piece) arrives on stage without much fanfare but leaves to an immediate standing ovation. Not long after the death of his dog, the amusingly named Ronnie Barker, Donahoe’s mother tried to kill herself. He was only a boy at the time. To try and cheer her up, and to do the same trick for himself, Donohue started making up a list of every brilliant thing he could. These are numbered on cards and distributed to the audience who shout out as and when he calls for them, illustrating the ups and down of his bittersweet narrative.

This is a simple show that deals deftly with serious issues about depression and suicide, but with a light touch that creates genuine depth and earned pathos; there’s some space for improvisation too, and Donahoe knows how to keep the audience firmly on his side. He provides reasons to be cheerful which is hardly a new idea but that doesn’t matter when the connection between performer and audience is as tangible as it is here.

Every Brilliant Thing, Roundabout @ Summerhall, until 24 August, 11.45am; main picture: Rebecca Need-Menear.