Olly Fox’s atmospheric music – also includes such fine actors as Lesley Manville as Karsten’s wife’s half-sister and the voice of his conscience and Joseph Millson as his wife’s brother. It’s exactly the kind of rare re-discovery the National is here to provide us with.

Whats On Stage Review Mark Shenton November 2005

Lesley Manville and Joseph Millson as the outcast relatives shine particularly brightly.

The Telegraph Charles Spencer November 2005

And there is prime support from Brid Brennan as his self-sacrificing sister who gave up life for teaching, from Joseph Millson as the angry Johan and from Michael Thomas as a pontificating teacher. But the real joy lies in seeing a virtually unknown Ibsen work rescued from the shadows and shown to be a resonant play for today

The Guardian  Michael Billington November 2005

But there is strength all round, with Lesley Manville outstanding as the ill-used Lona Hessel, Joseph Millson as Bernick’s brother-in-law, another victim of his scheming, Brid Brennan as the sister and Geraldine Alexander playing the neglected wife. This is a play which has received a new lease of life The Stage Peter Hepple 2005 But there’s also very strong support from Lesley Manville as Lona, and a moving characterisation by Joseph Millson as Johan.

Peter Brown London Theatre Guide November 2005