Dennis Potter's darkest of plays still leaves it's audience uncomfortably glued to their seats. Banned by the BBC for 11 years, and still able to leave a lump in the throat of any audience it is no wonder that Brimstone and Treacle is timeless and not to be missed. Exposing and heightening Potter's acceptance of the cruelty and hope that life may throw at us at every turn. Tom and Amy Bates struggle through their suburban nightmare of caring for their beautiful yet brain damaged daughter Pattie. The stresses and strains of relentless care without respite fuelling their own demons and driving a wedge between them. Then one evening their prayers appear to be answered with the curious arrival of the overbearing and too good to be true Martin.

Martin has soon wormed his way into the Bates' home taking care of Pattie, and lifting the burden from her mother as he lovingly cares for his ex college sweetheart. Whilst Pattie's mother welcomes this angel into her home, Tom Bates suspects there may be other motives keeping the saintly Martin close to the family's heart and hearth.

Climaxing in revelations and darkest fears realised, Potter's interweaving of secrets, lies and family ties leaves us rooted to the spot, and asking is anything ever what it really seems, and can we ever go back to a land of lost content or happy highways.