Review: In Some Dark Valley

📍 White Bear Theatre

🗓️ 1st April 2026

🎟️ PR Invite

Written by Robert Bailey, In Some Dark Valley: The Testimony of Reverend Brand is a 65-minute solo show set in post–Cold War Appalachia.

The play follows Reverend Brand as he emerges from the Appalachian Mountains, reflecting on his life and guiding the audience through his childhood, his spiritual awakening, and his relationships with his wife and son. It also touches on the wider impact of war and illness, both on the characters and the communities around them.

What makes the piece particularly interesting is how it balances a personal story with wider themes like faith, family, loss and resilience.

A big part of what works so well is the mix of dialogue and music. Bailey moves easily between spoken word and traditional Southern songs, making it all feel natural. At points, he plays the harmonica, which really brings the Appalachian setting to life and adds to the mood of the story being shared.

The space at the White Bear Theatre is small, which adds to the intimacy of the piece. There’s minimal set, with just a few boxes used throughout, but it doesn’t feel lacking because the dialogue is so descriptive, with sound effects helping to build the setting and the atmosphere of each scene. Lighting is also used effectively to set the mood for each section of the journey he shares. 

Bailey delivers an impressive solo performance, effortlessly shifting between multiple characters of different ages. He captures the essence of each through changes in voice, posture, and facial expression. His eyes, in particular, are incredibly expressive, drawing the audience in and heightening the emotional impact of the piece.

The energy and momentum never drop. Once the play begins, there’s little to no downtime, but he keeps focus and intensity for the full 65 minutes. 

At the start, the dialogue feels a bit fast-paced, which takes a moment to get used to, but it soon settles into a rhythm.

He moves around the stage with purpose, really taking the audience on the journey of the story. 

The intimacy of the venue means you can take in every expression and movement, which makes the performance feel very immersive. Moments of humour are sprinkled throughout, adding warmth and balance to the heavier themes.

Overall, In Some Dark Valley: The Testimony of Reverend Brand is a powerful and well-written piece of theatre, driven by strong storytelling, music, and a captivating performance.