An enthralling play that should not be missed
“The One Good Thing” is an enthralling play that should not be missed. Join us for our Spring Production at East Riding Theatre and prepare yourself for a captivating and emotional journey…
Two Irish brothers living in Southern Ireland, dealing with love, forgiveness, and the afterlife, discover that the eternal exists in their fraternal bond… But Heaven isn’t always what you’d expect!
The show is now ‘live’ and it’s getting some fantastic reviews…
Following our hugely successful Opening Night the play continues to receive some fantastic audience reviews…
“An emotional and beautiful play within a brilliant set”
“Wonderful storyline & acting”
“Acting was superb. I was in tears at the end”
“Marvellous!”
“The play is riveting. The actors amazing. The direction so captivating and the ending emotional but so real to everyone in the audience”
“Very moving and thought provoking play”
“Funny and poignant”
“Amazing night, emotional rollercoaster”
“A show not to be missed, the audience were all in tears”
“Superb script, acting and set! It’s a must see!”
“Compelling and bitter sweet”
“Thought provoking”
“All round excellence – set, script and actors”
“Very powerful and emotional performance”“
We have also received a review in the “British Theatre Guide”, which can be found here…
IMAGES courtesy John Ellerington.
This is how it all started…
The playwright Joe Bravaco, based in New Jersey (USA), made an initial submission of his play “The One Good Thing” for PlayLab earlier last year.
After receiving over 200 other play submissions, this play was shortlisted along with several others. It was then featured at PlayLab, where a group of professional actors performed over three days using a script-in-hand workshop format.
The play was so well received that we have negotiated with Joe to perform a full version for our Spring Production this year. The event will also be featured as the ‘World Premiere’ for this professional performance and it will be exclusive to ERT.
Ahead of our performance, “The One Good Thing” has also received a number of accolades from other theatres both in the UK and the USA…
“Non-local Winner of the New Works Festival”
Long Beach Playhouse, California | 2025
“International Playwriting Competition Winner”
Stables Theatre, Hastings | 2024
“PlayLab Finalist”
After our Spring Production, “The One Good Thing” will also feature with its “US Premiere” at the Washington Stage Guild in Washington, DC.
Meet the Writer – Joe Bravaco
The Writer, Joe Bravaco, is based in New Jersey, USA. As background to his writing of the “One Good Thing” he comments:
“When I started writing the play, I heard the characters speaking with Irish accents. I have only been a visitor to Ireland, but I immediately fell in love with the country. It felt so wonderfully remote from New York and New Jersey, which is where I live.
I love Irish literature. I taught Joyce for several years and have always been a huge fan of the work from Brian Friel’s work and Martin Mc Donagh. Maybe their influences lead to the provincial nature of my characters and the whimsy of the story, but what I wanted to tell just seemed to lend itself more to an Irish tale than to an American one.”
Meet the Director – Richard Avery
Richard Avery is the current Artistic Director of East Riding Theatre and also Co-Director of Other Lives Productions. He has worked extensively as an actor and director, including two years at the RSC and numerous TV and film appearances. Richard was one of the founding members of East Riding Theatre when it was established in 2014.“The One Good Thing” will be Richard’s final in-house production for the theatre and, as such, the importance of the play resonates with him:
“The One Good Thing” has got everything. I really think it’s a super, super piece of work It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you think… and it’s got just a hint of the supernatural.
A fantastic stage set has been created by our production crew to suit the story, along with a bespoke lighting arrangement and dedicated soundtrack. Our actors have also been very busy perfecting their skills through many week’s of rehearsals. Therefore, we are confident that our audience will enjoy this enthralling and outstanding new play.”
Meet the Actor – Declan Sammon – Playing “Tommy”
Meet the Actor – Gabriel Winter – Playing “Jamie”
Hear what our Volunteers – Elaine and Susan – have to say about the play, which they first watched at PlayLab 2024…
Book your tickets today for our “World Premiere” Spring Production…
Special ‘Parent & Baby Performance’ | Tuesday 29th April @ 2.30pm
Enjoy the show in the company of your baby, toddler or child
Special ‘Relaxed Performance’ | Wednesday 7th May @ 2.30pm
Social distancing • Enhanced lighting • Free movement around the Auditorium • Front of house team to assist
For Corporate enquiries, please contact: Admin | 01482 874050 | admin@eastridingtheatre.co.uk
