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BrumHour saw Blood Brothers at the invite of Wolverhampton Grand.
By David Fox x.com/DavidFoxTheatre
Blood Brothers at Wolverhampton Grand: Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐A truly unforgettable production!
Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright written by Willy Russell
“So, did y’ hear the story of the Johnstone twins?”
Blood Brothers: Winner of the 1983 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in London. Winner of the 1993 Tony Award for Best New Musical on Broadway. One of only three musicals ever to surpass 10,000 performances in London’s West End. An English Literature GCSE classic. A certifiable musical theatre classic written by legendary writer Willy Russell.
Set against the gritty backdrop of 1980s Liverpool, Blood Brothers is a compelling tale of fate, family, and social divide. The story follows twin brothers who, separated at birth, grow up in starkly contrasting worlds—one of privilege, the other of poverty. When their lives unexpectedly intertwine years later, the bonds of blood and the hand of fate collide, leading to an emotionally charged and heart-wrenching conclusion.
Blood Brothers delivers some really strong performances. Vivienne Carlyle shines in her role as Mrs Johnstone – a totally emotional performance leaving you sympathising and empathising with her hard-luck situation, and devastating ending. I was really impressed with Sean Jones as Mickey Johnstone – as first playful and capturing the wild reckless exuberance of childhood, before showing the grown-up, deterioration and mental anguish of a man ruined by society and the circumstances of his life.
Gemma Brodrick reprises her standout performance as Linda. Joe Sleight delivers a compelling portrayal of Eddie, and Sean Keany takes on the pivotal role of the Narrator, bringing his own dynamic presence to the production.
My favourite section was Take a Letter Miss Jones which shows a great social commentary of Liverpool in the 1980s, and the effect of unemployment on the city and its inhabitants – very powerful.
Blood Brothers boasts an incredible array of memorable songs, each adding depth and emotion to the story. The superb score features standout numbers like Bright New Day and Marilyn Monroe, culminating in the emotionally charged and heart-wrenching hit, Tell Me It’s Not True. All the songs were expertly performed with Vivienne Carlyle performance, and the emotionally charged finale stands out.
It had been fifteen years since I last saw Blood Brothers, and this production surpassed all my memories of it! Captivating, deeply moving, and brimming with raw emotion, it delivered a theatrical experience that caused rapturous applause brought the audience to their feet in a well-deserved standing ovation. A truly unforgettable production!
Blood Brothers is at Wolverhampton Grand until 25th January 2025. Discover what is coming up at Wolverhampton Grand here: grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on. Blood Brothers is currently touring until November 2025. Details here: kenwright.com/productions/blood-brothers-uk-tour
