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Brand

Brand

Venue: Haymarket, Theatre Royal
Where: West End
Date Reviewed:

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ScoreCommentDate
starstarstarstarstarff = fantastic fiennes - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.57.204.146)31 Aug 03
starstarstarstarstarbrilliant! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.57.204.146)31 Aug 03
starstarstarstarstarI went to see the saturday matinee yesterday at The Haymarket (I unfortunatly was unable to catch it at The Swan) and as the endless aplause was taking place I remember thinking that I had seen "Greatness". It was absolutly fantastic. As I was fortunate enough to be sitting in the second row I felt totally wrapped up in the whole power of the piece. Ralph Fiennes was tremendous (may I add that the majority of the front rows were taken up by women, me being one of them) at first I felt uncomfortable by this, he is stunning but I hoped people hadn't been brought along soley because of this. And whilst watching it I felt sure that they hadn't, when Brand's wife played brilliantly by Claire Price was on stage she was hard not to focus on, her performance was so powerful even with the likes of Fiennes on stage with her. Oliver Cotton played a sublimely devilish Mayor and Laura Rees acted the role of the gypsy girl wonderfully. I want to see it again.... - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.44.14.188)27 Jul 03
starstarstarstarStark staging emphasized the dreariness of this early Ibsen drama making it seem even longer than its 2 1/2 hours. The versatile Fiennes, however, was riveting and Price excellent. The unexpected voice of God in the midst of an avalance made this more than food for thought. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (205.188.209.140)18 Jul 03
starstarstarstarI was fortunate enough to see this at the Swan. What a fabulous version of a very difficult piece - not least because as is endlessly repeated, it was not written for performance. I left knowing that I had seen one of the "great" performances - you may not like the character, or even the play, but there is no doubting the strength of Feinnes' performance. To even make the character believeable is an amazing achievement. The character calls for the rest of the cast to spend much time in awe of Brand, and to this extent they must find it a joy to share the stage with Feinnes who holds the cast and the audience spellbound. You may go to see Feinnes the movie star - but you will leave knowing that you have seen Feinnes the great actor. Just don't expect a cheery evening! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.107.201.28)15 Jul 03
starstarstarstarstarSuperb theatre. The cast, and Fiennes prime among them, had the audience spellbound, to the point of a collective, audible gasp when Brand is at his most uncompromising with Agnes. The austere set works very well, serving as church, home, forest and glacial crevice at different times. And a great contrast with the Master Builder (certainty of youthfulness vs uncertainty of a life's work in older age). - USER: Whatsonstage.com (193.128.173.20)11 Jul 03
starstarstarWell it exceeded my expectations, and I do think that it is a very interesting play. Mr Fiennes received a ripple of inappropriate applause on his entrance, how dreadful. Unfortunately Ralph Fiennes always disappoints me, he was an overly monotone character. He reminded of Leonard Rossiter as Rigsby in Rising Damp, he had a very similar vocal style. Oliver Cotton was great as the cynical and booming Mayor and I thought that Susan Engel as the mother was very funny. Alan David was very versatile as The Doctor and The Provost (as well as a Villager). Honourable mentions to Claire Price as Brand’s wife Agnes and Laura Rees as hysterical Gerd (the mad girl). I also found the voice of God very funny at the end; it was quite over the top, although I did find the closing scene very pleasing and suitably dramatic. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.35.56.7)04 Jul 03
starstarstarstarstarThe play itself may be more satisfying when read in its complete version, but this fine production is great achievement for the RSC (and yes, some critics obviously have it in for the company and wouldn't give a good review under any circumstances). Fiennes, Price, and indeed the entire cast are marvellous. Let's hope that that the RSC's future Big Name Productions are as bold as this. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (195.92.168.169)08 Jun 03
starstarstarstarIf you have read reviews by the Daily Mail first and foremost lambasting this production, pls ignore - it's a cracker. I was gripped by this production and more particularly by the performances of Claire Price and Fiennes himself who sounds wonderful and who acts his socks off, and I mean that in the best possible way. I sometimes wonder whether have seen the same play as some critics or whether they've seen it at all. Then there is this silly carping that Trevor Nunn hasn't actually given us painted backdrops of fjords or mountains. Didn't Hamlet say, the play's the thing? Don't be put off by foolish comments. Have seen five Ibsen productions this year including Ingmar Bergman's Ghosts, The Master Builder with Patrick Stewart and this is by far the best. terrific stuff - USER: Whatsonstage.com (194.117.133.182)06 Jun 03
starstarstarstarstarSaw it at the Swan and loved it. What a powerhouse actor....... I was delighted to be able to watch an instantly-recognisable face on stage and not see Ralph Fiennes, I only saw the character. Wonderful performance! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (82.35.56.7)06 Jun 03
starstarstarstarI too saw this at the Swan, where the very spare style of the production worked well, although I did wonder how well it would transfer to the much less intimate Theatre Royal. While Fiennes gives a wonderful performance of a man crushing his feelings and personal doubts to do what he believes is right and making clear the price he is paying for this, I wasn't convinced that this was a man who had the magnetism to lead crowds away from their normal lives. I suspect that this was a deliberate decision about the performance, but it left me feeling that it was incomplete. Nevertheless, do go and see it - I suspect it will be a long time before we see an equally good production of a fascinating play. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (213.208.96.163)06 Jun 03
starstarstarstarstarsaw this in the Swan, not in London; was mesmerised by Ralph Fiennes' performance. He gives himself so completely to it and is so totally compelling that even though Brand himself is such a difficult character it's hard not to be drawn to him. Mr F. was fab and Claire Price was brilliant - I saw her at the Crucible last year in Richard III and The Tempest and she keeps on getting better and better. She really is one to watch. As for the play, I really want to see it again. There is too much in it for only one viewing. My only hesitation is that I think it fitted the Swan well and cannot imagine it at the Haymarket. But if I can get a ticket I'll give it a go! - USER: Whatsonstage.com (212.50.175.125)05 Jun 03
starstarstarClare Price was brilliant - Ralph Fiennes was OK to good - I'm afraid he reminded me of Reggie Perrin at times! A satisfying, rather than brilliant evening. The play was interesting and gave me a lot to think about. - USER: Whatsonstage.com (217.36.20.75)05 Jun 03


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