"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 one was kept and one given away…”
These opening lines, almost befitting of a eulogy at a funeral, paint a strong yet troubling picture of what’s to come. As the curtains rise and the poignant narrative unfolds, it's clear that "Blood Brothers" is not just any musical, it’s an emotional and impactful journey of the power of family, an almost coming of age story together with its hardships underpinned by a truly evocative, sentimental yet sorrowful tale.
Willy Russell, synonymous with hits such as Educating Rita and the very memorable Shirley Valentine, is the genius behind Blood Brothers. It played the West End for 24 years with 10 000 performances, so it’s no surprise that all these years later it reemerges like a phoenix from the ashes to a new generation of theatre goers.
Blood Brothers begins at the end, and not to give too much away, we see a fractured story doomed from the start. The narrative of misfortune is evident in every scene, through the acting, the dialogue, and the interactions between the characters. Although set in Liverpool in the 60s, this story is very much relatable to present times as themes of loss, unemployment, a mother's love for a child and the harsh yet unrelenting truth behind the rich versus poor class system will evoke significance for many.
The musical explores the intertwined lives of twins, Mickey and Eddie, who are separated at birth and grow up in starkly contrasting circumstances—one in affluence and the other in hardship. Despite their very different paths, fate brings them together repeatedly, culminating in a tragic and unavoidable ending. The narrative delves into themes of social inequality and loss, prompting the audience to reflect on the factors that shape our lives. The haunting music and lyrics further enrich the storytelling with powerful messages throughout. Central characters like Mrs. Johnstone, the devoted yet struggling mother, and Mrs. Lyons, the calculating adoptive mother, add depth and drive the story forward in more ways than one. One would say at first this story is about the brothers who don’t know of their lineage, however, it’s equally the two mothers whose stories have a somewhat bigger platform and they share this so brightly on stage.
The actors playing Mickey and Eddie, Sean Jones and Joe Sleight respectively, are an absolute vision to witness. To show the process of ‘Growing up’ in precarious times gave these two exemplary actors a chance to capture the innocence of youth and yet at the same time despair with the utmost detail. Vivienne Carlyle excels as Mrs. Johnstone, drawing you into her poignant story with a voice rich in vulnerability.. She is quite a marvel to watch. Not forgetting the wonderful Sarah Jane Buckley who plays Mrs Lyons and encapsulates full heartedly the impact of a significant lie on her life's trajectory.
Credit needs to be given to the narrator of the show played by Sean Keany (together with his outstanding vocals) who is a massive presence on stage and yet an invisible ‘god’ of sorts who projects the unavoidable fate of the twins through sorrowful narration.
This explosive story presents more than 1 theatrical punch, in fact, there are many and some are hard to stomach, but this is so much more than a musical, it has a rawness and nostalgic relatability that will have you reaching for a tissue or 2 throughout the show. Together with an exemplary cast, and unforgettable music, Blood Brothers will leave you reflecting on fate and family bonds long after you leave the theatre.
Blood Brothers will be playing at The New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday the 8th of March as part of its UK tour.
Review David Simmons Photos: Jack Merriman