Blood Brothers At Theatre Royal, Nottingham

Reviewed by Jayne Knight

TELL ME IT’S NOT TRUE – The opening night of this brilliant Willy Russell production is the final tour for Lyn Paul as Mrs. Johnstone, a role that, over the last 20 years, she has defined.

Close scrutiny of the cast list showed Lyn Paul, Robbie Scotcher, Joel Benedict, Paula Tappenden and Danielle Corlass in five of the six main roles, all of which they were familiar with. The part of Mickey Johnstone was played by Josh Capper. He is not new to the role, but always as the understudy/first cover, as he was last night, giving an outstanding performance.

The supporting cast, many of whom had also played in various productions of Blood Brothers were excellent, with their diversity and ability to change from one character to another seamlessly.

The production team for this performance certainly had foresight in putting this cast together. As live theatre is opening up once more, the theatre goers were hungry for something special, and a capacity audience got what they came for – a stellar performance.

What makes this musical run and run? The storyline? The characters? The Actors? The Music? There can be no one defining moment, line, speech, person or song. Everything about this musical works together like a well-oiled machine and will continue to do so for as long as the public want it to.

The emotion that runs from the opening scene to the last has something that, at some point, everyone in the theatre can identify with at some time in their own lives. It doesn’t have to be on a major scale of poverty, or loss but maybe as simple as wanting the best for your child – which is all that Mrs. Johnstone ever wanted.

The pact that was made between Mrs. Johnstone and Mrs. Lyons all those years previously, seemingly each woman helping the other out in a time of need, comes back to haunt them. The lies and deceit, of separating twins at birth, have an effect on their lives that neither could have imagined at the onset of their journeys.

The pain and anguish felt by Mrs. Johnstone of having given a child away is mirrored by Mrs. Lyons, in the fear that her son will be reclaimed. No matter how hard she tries, the ties can never be completely broken.

Two boys born to one mother, brought up on different sides of the tracks. They have this inextricable bond; they are Blood Brothers. They meet by chance at the age of 7, neither knowing of the other, but it is sufficient to change their lives forever.

The narrator is essentially the all-knowing, all-seeing conscience of both women. He is a dark character that plays with their minds, reminding them of what they have done and the fact that they have to live with the consequences and repercussions. On stage for the majority of the performance, his input is impactful as he sings Shoes upon the table, yet at times subtle – you know he is there – ready, watching, waiting.

Mickey and Eddie, are both boys who wish they could be more like one another. They have a friend, Linda, throughout their childhood and into adolescence, which the audience can see will cause trouble in the future, but of which they are unaware, until almost the end of the show. It is only as Mickey’s life begins to spiral that his feelings for Eddie and Linda change, with disastrous consequences for all of their families lives.

There are moments of emotionally charged silence; a few seconds during which the tangled web almost begins to disintegrate, only to be pulled back to what must be. Equally there are the funny sides of making the best of living on the breadline. Then there are the poignant moments.

A fantastic show, that truly deserved its standing ovation.

Did you ever hear the story of the Johnstone twins
As like each other as two new pins.
How one was kept and one given away
How they were born and the died on the self-same day?

If you have never seen Blood Brothers, it is well worth it. Take a tissue.

Rating: 5/5

The show is running at Nottingham until 18th September 2021

Ticket prices from £20 (booking fee may apply)

For more information or to book tickets please visit Blood Brothers, Theatre Royal, Nottingham (trch.co.uk)