Ibsen's "Brand" at Haymarket 29 May 03 announces further casting

Ibsen's Brand , starring Ralph Fiennes which opens at the Haymarket theatre on 4 June 03, following previews from 29 May 03, and booking to 30 August 03, has announced further casting including Oliver Cotton, Jim Creighton, Alan David, Susan Engel, Sarah Everard, Jane Guernier, Colin Haigh, Sidney Livingstone, Jennifer McEvoy, Alistair Petrie, Claire Price, Laura Rees, Clifford Rose, Karen Traynor.

Ralph Fiennes, who has recently finished a run in "The Talking Cure" at the National, plays the title role. Ralph last appeared with the RSC in 1990, performing in Shakespeare's "King Lear", "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Troilus and Cressida".

It is directed by Adrian Noble, designed by Peter Mckintosh, with lighting by Peter Mumsford. It is produced by Theatre Royal Haymarket Productions and Stanhope Productions in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company

Brand (1866), is a symbolic tragedy about a priest, who follows his high principles.

Brand, a priest, is the most devout follower of God. Steadfast of will, he will not condone any form of moral compromise, whatever the circumstances. His sole objective is to serve God and save the souls of his people. So powerful are his convictions, he rejects his dying mother and forbids his wife from mourning their son. Is the road of extreme sacrifice and suffering truly the road to God and ultimate salvation?

The production runs at the Swan theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon before opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Brand will be Adrian Noble's last production as Artistic Director of the RSC. He is succeeded in April 2003 by Michael Boyd.

The RSC's new relationship with the Theatre Royal Haymarket began earlier this year when the Company transferred Gregory Doran's "Much Ado About Nothing" and Michael Attenborough's "Antony and Cleopatra" from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford in July 2002.

Commenting on the production, Adrian Noble said:

"I've wanted to do Brand with Ralph for ages, so I'm delighted that it's finally happening. Ibsen's great plays are always popular with audiences, but Brand is rarely performed and so will be a new experience for many people.

"It's also great to see commercial producers backing classical theatre in the West End. The Theatre Royal Haymarket and Stanhope Productions are leading the way with their confidence to produce large scale classical theatre in the heart of London's theatreland.

Click Here for full production details.