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Theatre Review: Blood Brothers

Willy Russell wrote Blood Brothers as a 14 year old school boy. Little did he know his school play would grow to become one of the third longest running West End shows and a hugely popular touring production.

Blood Brothers arrived at the Winter Gardens Opera House this week with Vivienne Carlyle returning to the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone, having received nightly standing ovations for her powerful and poignant performance in the West End production.

Sean Jones and Joe Sleight return as twins Mickey and Eddie, with Gemma Brodrick reprising the role of Linda.

Russell’s original inspiration came from a short story he heard about two babies swapped at birth. The old dilemma of nature versus nurture unfolds.

Set in Liverpool between the 1950s and 1960s, with all the social pressures of the day, a wedding follows an unplanned pregnancy. Seven babies later and life is hard for Mrs Johnstone. With unexpected twins on their way a secret agreement is made. Fraternal twins Mickey and Eddie are separated at birth. One to be raised within a wealthy family, the other with the family of lesser means. The fatal consequences of this decision unfold.

Despite the attempts of the two mothers, the twins find each other, the connection is made along with their declaration of being ‘Blood Brothers’.

Short trousers transport us through a carefree childhood as imaginary horses gallop across the stage. The trousers lengthen and we follow the brothers as they stumble through adolescence to the long trousers of heavy responsibilities.

The powerfully sad and deeply emotional final scene is intensified with the lament of “Tell me it’s not true”. As the last heartbreaking notes fade the silence is broken by rapturous applause and a well deserved standing ovation.

This excellent production is well worth the visit, the acting is first rate and the singing is superb, with a dusting of humour running through the production. I highly recommend taking tissues though.

Blood Brothers runs until Saturday 7th September at the Winter Gardens Blackpool.

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