Well, what a night! I vaguely knew the story of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers and one song in particular but seeing it all in context brought home the emotion and heart rendering empathy felt throughout.

The story is of twin brothers who are separated at birth when their mother, Mrs Johnstone (played by the exceptional Linda Nolan) gives one of them away to her employer, Mrs Lyons who can’t have kids, to take the financial strain off Mrs Johnstone and her other 6 children.

The show was magnificent. All lead roles and supporting cast strong and clearly putting everything they had into the performance, it felt like it could have been the last night.

Sean Jones played Mickey (the twin Mrs Johnstone keeps) and he was hilarious. He was absolutely believable playing his 7 year old self. Mannerisms, facial expressions and dialogue all reminiscent of a 7 old boy (I remember my brother at that age!). As we watch him grow through awkward teen years into a young man, struggling to make ends meet with his also young, pregnant wife their situation echoes a society which was and sadly is still apparent today.

Mickey’s brother, named Edward by Mrs Lyons was also brilliant. Growing up in a different world to Mickey, with all the privileges, toys and sweets a young could want it was a heart warming scene as the two seven year olds swear to be blood brothers and best friends forever, unaware of their actual blood link.

Keith Burns had the part of the Narrator, telling the story from beginning to end and acting as devil/conscience towards the main characters. Burns created an atmosphere of mystery and unease in his presence adding to the suspense of a story riddled in superstition.

The direction of the play was tight and although Nolan got the giggles at what seemed to be an improvised bit of comedy, it didn’t take away from her performance as the fourth wall had already been broken purposefully during some scenes. The acknowledgement that the cast were playing multiple parts added well to the audience being part of the play when the narrator focussed his speech into the crowd.

The final scene was outstanding, all cast involved obviously well into their characters. There was barely a dry eye in the house and this included the cast. Nolan couldn’t hide the emotion she had gone through with her character and as everyone came back on for their applause all eyes were red and Nolan was still crying.

I highly recommend Blood Brothers. Although the songs, bar the last Tell Me It’s Not True, weren’t big memorable musical numbers, the story, the acting and the direction make this play. The only thing that stopped my tears from actually falling, was knowing that I hadn’t any tissues in my bag!

Blood Brothers plays at the Theatre Royal from 7 - 19 April 2008
 

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