Notes From Row H

Off West End theatre review – The White Bear Theatre, Kennington (PR/Gifted)

A very fitting subject matter for Easter Saturday, I went to see the last performance of the London transfer of In Some Dark Valley – a one man show written and performed by Robert Bailey, who has also just won the Best Solo Performance at the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle 2025 for this role.

Reverend Brand, a fiery post-civil war Appalachian preacher, tells his life story – and guided by his faith in God, he suffers the consequences of his harsh and blind will. Poverty, death, and famine shape him into a man who, at the end of his life, is alone and potentially mad. Adding a depth to story, the intense narrative is interspersed with haunting Appalachian songs and music from a harmonica that Bailey plays. 

Bailey’s performance throughout was outstandingly powerful. He seamlessly transitioned between the various characters in Reverend Brand’s story – some humorous, some tragic, some tender: he adopted their physicality and voices perfectly. His storytelling was thoroughly engaging and easily conjured the world of Reverend Brand. 

There were a few times when I lost track of the story though because it was so imagination heavy and the pace was a little fast, but that is easily fixed and did not have a significant effect on the wonderfully crafted story.

It being staged in a small space above a pub made it feel very intimate, and the simple set (only two blocks) made the story and Brand’s character even more intense. Clever use of minimal lighting also helped to signal when time jumped or his mood changed. 

Robert Bailey was absolutely brilliant in this play and I cannot wait to see what life it continues to have after its run at the White Bear Theatre Kennington. 

This was my first time at this theatre and I will definitely be going again!

Written by Helena Featherstone