Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Saturday 13th September 2025
Reviewed by Chris Jarvis
5*****
The audience was captivated from ‘End’ to End!
As we arrived at the Theatre Royal to watch this performance, we were chatting to a lady in the foyer who advised us to concentrate on the first couple of minutes and not to forget them! I’d seen Blood Brothers before so had an inkling, but my friend who has never seen it was intrigued!
Blood Brothers was written by English dramatist, lyricist and composer Willy Russell whose career spans 5 decades and includes iconic films and plays such as Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. It has been described as legendary, captivating and moving, and one of the best musicals ever written. It ran for 24 years in the West End becoming one of the longest running musicals in history.
It has become established as a popular text in the UK GCSE curriculum for both English Literature and Drama, which was obvious last night looking at the age range of the audience from teenagers through to those who saw it when it first opened at Liverpool Playhouse in 1983 through the last 40+ years and have seen it numerous times since.
The opening scene is unforgettable and is followed by a dramatic introduction by the tall, dark handsome Narrator played tonight by Kristofer Harding who addresses the audience with:-
“So, did y’ hear the story of the Johnstone twins?
As like each other as two new pins;
Of one womb born, on the self same day
How was one kept and one given away …….”
In essence this describes the plot where Mrs Johnstone (Vivienne Carlyle) domestic help to Mrs Lyons (Paula Tappenden) is persuaded by her employer to give her one of the twins she is expecting. Willy Russell’s mental image of Mrs Johnstone – the old woman who lived in a shoe with so many children, she didn’t know what to do! She was coerced into believing it was the best outcome for all involved but that it must be kept a secret forever.
The twin boys born in Liverpool were separated soon after birth and brought up at different ends of the social spectrum, though not actually living too far apart. Fate conspired for them to meet through life unaware of their relationship.
The boys first meet age 7 both Mickey (Sean Jones) and Eddie (Joe Sleight) being played by adults. Both actors played great parts but Sean Jones was born to play Mickey at every stage in his life from a 7 year old tyke reminding me of Wee Jimmy Krankie with a scouse accent, to a cheeky but lovable teenage rogue, shy and awkward as he negotiated adolescence into adulthood with his childhood sweetheart Linda (Gemma Brodrick) who also played a brilliant part through age 7 years to adulthood. Eddie was brought up by Mr and Mrs Lyons in luxury, wanting for nothing and always with a bag of sweets in his pocket – the antithesis of Mickey. Despite their differences or perhaps because of them, they become BB’s – best buddies and blood brothers!
Mickey and Eddie follow different paths to employment and University and life events conspire against Mickey when he is made redundant and he and his colleagues in the dole queue sing a very powerful and moving Just Another Sign of the Times. The songs throughout are all meaningful with some great voices and harmonies and include Tell Me It’s Not True and Marilyn Monroe. Vivienne Carlyle gives an outstanding performance as Mrs Johnstone – her voice is incredible and her emotions so true.
I don’t remember feeling so emotionally involved in a production. The first half was emotional and funny, but the second half had the audience totally silent with their emotions torn apart as Mickey sinks into depression, Linda tries desperately to bring him back and Eddie wants to help them both.
The beginning is the end, and this is a production not to be missed. The acting, singing, set design and of course Willy Russell’s real-life writing, music and lyrics are second to none. It is not surprising that Blood Brothers is affectionately known as the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’ and tonight was no exception.