Hall for Cornwall, Truro – until 8th February 2025
Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert
5*****
A very special and beautifully crafted play which is still wowing audiences after 40 years!
I was overjoyed when it was announced that Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers would be returning to the Hall for Cornwall. This is the 3rd time I’ve seen this incredible show and I wasn’t disappointed; the story certainly continues to capture hearts and minds. Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, this is a show that will move you, it will make you laugh, and it will break your heart.
Set in Liverpool, it follows the story of the Johnstone twins, separated at birth, and raised in different circumstances by polar opposite mothers. The lives of Mickey Johnstone and Eddie Lyons could hardly be more different. But the pair are drawn together by a strong unnamed bond and their friendship is the foundation on which all hilarity and tragedy is built.
Vivienne Carlyle brings plenty of warmth and spark as Mrs Johnstone and carries the weight of the show with her powerful voice and emotional believability. Sarah Jayne Buckley provides the perfect contrast with the upright Mrs Lyons. She gave a brilliant performance and had the neurotic traits down to a tee. Sean Jones is absolutely thrilled to return to the role of Mickey, the kid from the disadvantaged side of town, and plays the part effortlessly. From him playing the young boy to being recently released from jail and suffering mental health as an adult. The range he showed throughout was mesmerising. His stage brother was played by Joe Sleight who made us all fall in love with his upper class character Eddie instantly. The pair combined were totally electric on stage and you could really feel their chemistry and relationship throughout.
Whilst the first act features lots of comedy, the second act is much darker and Sean Keany, who has been lurking in the background as the ominous narrator, becomes more threatening. He had the eerie, melodramatic part down to a tee and spent most of the time on stage relaying their emotions and feelings expertly. His poem which was delivered at the end was truly the stand out of his performance and gave me the chills. Gemma Brodrick plays the part of Linda, the boys’ love interest and the catalyst for the fate that ensues them. She did a beautiful job at this role and her scene with Mickey in their new home was jaw dropping.
Andy Walmsley’s set design brings the streets of Liverpool to life through an iconic cityscape backdrop and Nick Richings lighting comes into its own with fragmented light mirroring the anguish oozing from the troubled characters.
The songs, written by Willy Russell, contain the most beautiful lyrics and the live band led by Matt Malone, were absolutely wonderful! ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and ‘Bright New Day’ were my particular favourites.
I so wanted it to be a happy ending, but this is a play that begins at the end, so you know from the start what will happen, just not how it will happen. That final scene where they sing ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ will stick with me for years to come. Every single actor on stage sang the song effortlessly and the pain in their faces felt so real. It was such a powerful ending to a show which deserved it and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.
As the play ended, the audience quickly erupted with cheers and a full standing ovation, which was well deserved. Blood Brothers is a Masterpiece and if you’ve not yet been, it’s probably time that you went!