Niki Evans & the cast of BLOOD BROTHERS UK 2022 Tour. Photo: Jack Merriman
Despite showing its age in parts, Willy Russell’s BLOOD BROTHERS is still capable of capturing the hearts of a modern audience.
Few musicals have received such acclaim as Willy Russell’s BLOOD BROTHERS. The multi-award-winning production ran for more than 27 years in London’s West End, surpassing over 10,000 performances to become the third longest-running musical production in West End history. Almost 40 years after its premiere, the musical is back on tour in the UK with a two week-long run at Manchester’s Palace Theatre.
Set in Liverpool between the 1960s and 1980s, BLOOD BROTHERS tells the moving tale of a pair of twins separated at birth. Pregnant, abandoned by her husband and struggling to make ends meet, the young and desperate Mrs Johnstone makes a deal with her well-heeled employer Mrs Lyons to give her one of the babies. The musical follows the contrasting lives of the two brothers, who become close friends in childhood but deadly rivals in adulthood – all the time unaware of their familial ties.
Sean Jones & Joel Benedict in BLOOD BROTHERS 2022 Tour. Photo: Jack Merriman
Bill Kenwright’s latest touring revival has been revitalised for 2022, thanks to the introduction of a new cast. Kenwright and Bob Tomson’s fast-paced and impactful direction carefully balance intense moments with comedy. This is aided by Andy Walmsley’s minimal set design, which allows the audience to be totally absorbed by the story and its characters.
In the central role of Mrs Johnstone, X Factor star Niki Evans does a tremendous job in the role she previously performed in London’s West End. Her melodic voice suits the score, capturing the ease and fun of numbers like BRIGHT NEW DAY and MARILYN MONROE, as well as the quiet sadness of EASY TERMS and the tragic finale song TELL ME IT’S NOT TRUE.
Covering for Sean Jones, who is isolating due to Covid contact, understudy Josh Capper proves himself more than worthy of the part, deftly demonstrating Mickey’s mischievous persona, as well as his disintegration into dark depression as a young adult. The equally excellent Joel Benedict joins him as the sweetly charming, naïve, and upright Eddie.
Sean Jones & the cast of BLOOD BROTHERS UK 2022 Tour. Photo: Jack Merriman
A special mention must go to Carly Burns as Linda, the soft-hearted girl visibly torn between her feelings for each brother, as well as Pete Washington, who stepped in at the last minute as Sammy, Mickey’s troublesome older brother.
Yet, despite the skilful cast performance, BLOOD BROTHERS is starting to show its age. At almost 40 years old, its stylised choreography and melodramatic narrative feel a little over-the-top for a modern audience, and the narrator’s script (played by the excellent Robbie Scotcher) tends to leave the audience with more questions than answers.
That said, Russell’s examination of class, opportunity and poverty is constantly relatable and the superb score, directed with gusto by Musical Director Matt Malone, continues to impress, injecting great drama and nuance to the story on stage.
The standing ovation at the end also proves that BLOOD BROTHERS is still capable of capturing the hearts of the audience.
BLOOD BROTHERS runs at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, until 26 February 2022
Donna is the Founder and Editor of Frankly, My Dear UK. By day, she works as a digital marketing specialist, by night she reviews film, theatre and music for a wide range of publications including WhatsonStage and The Reviews Hub. Loves Formula 1, prosecco and life.
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