Man is like an owl afraid of the dark or a fish afraid of water. We are made to be at home in life and yet we fear it. We fear it but cling to it. This is the preaching of Brand. His words are fire in a landscape of ice. Theatre Apprentice navigate this dark verse drama with considerable skill. It is full of tensions, bleak metaphors and images of sacrifice and death. I did not find it an easy play to watch. As Brand demands all or nothing from his family, himself and God so the play demands much from its audience. Brand is a hard man in a hard unforgiving environment. This production has left me thinking hard thoughts and asking hard questions about life and religious commitment. The sparse set and the sound effects of gale and storm add to the severity of the piece. A brittle and brilliant performance, by Nathan Cable as Brand, is ably supported by the rest of the cast.

Jane Angel