Blood Brothers
There's a reason why Willy Russell's play is on the school curriculum and has been for quite a while. The musical production of Blood Brothers has toured pretty much non stop in the UK and is one of only three musicals to have more than 10,000 performances in London's West End.
Telling the story of Mickey and Eddie, twins separated at birth, they grow up on opposite sides of town,
but when they accidentally meet, what plays out can only end with tragic consequences.
The divides between rich and poor are clearly played out from both points of view and the texts use of
poetic verse and play reels you in to feel for the characters and it's easy to put yourselves in their shoes.
What decisions would we make if we were faced with these situations?
Although the story is set between the late 1950's and early 1980's, the content feels forever relevant and Russell's writing draws the audience in time after time. On the whole it is a very funny script, and despite knowing how the story ends, no matter how many times you have seen the production, as a member of the audience you feel yourself believing that this time there might just be a happy ending (don't worry, there's no spoilers for those of you yet to see it). Sadly not though, and there's not a dry eye in the house by the finale.
A huge shout out has to go to every single member of the cast. It's not until they are taking their, immensely well deserved, bows that you realise just how much they give to their performance and in turn just how much it takes from them every single night.
Sean Jones as Mickey delivers his lines with perfect timing and his scenes later on portray the struggles
of mental health with heartening reality. Alongside Jones is Joe Sleight as Eddie, the perfect take of rich
kid wanting something more, but with the freedom of not worrying what the consequences might cost
him.
Gemma Brodrick as Linda, the girl at the centre of this love triangle is beautifully cast and her ability to be the cheeky young girl that proves to be better than the boys with a pellet gun through to the struggling young wife and mother is superb to watch.
The role of Narrator is taken by Sean Keany, who delivers a chilling voice of reason and reality check in
his native Irish accent, something new to us as usually this role is like the rest of the characters delivered
in a Liverpudlian accent, however this adds a great new aspect to the role and really worked.
A beautifully tragic piece of musical theatre that should not be missed and an ever relevant and timeless production.
This show was reviewed on the 21st January 2025 at The Wolverhampton Grand. Blood Brothers is at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until 25th January and on tour across the UK until 22nd November, with a break over the Summer. More details here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/blood-brothers/
Review written by Rachel Louise Martin
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Photo credit: Jack Merriman
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