Blood Brothers At The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Review

Reviewed by Jonathan Grimes

Who can believe it, Blood brothers is now in its thirty eighth year? Originally produced as a high school play with music in 1981, Willy Russell subsequently adapted the play into a musical with its premier in 1983. Blood Brothers has been an ongoing smash success story, taking audiences through the life, tensions, and at times humor of the doomed twins.

The opening line “So did y’hear the story of the Johnstone twins?” instantly sparks the curiosity of the audience, it takes you back to your childhood and story time. Although a story time with a dark plot.

It is a story of an impoverished Catholic mother, living in Liverpool, pregnant again, with very little money and constant worry that the authorities may take her children. Incapable of raising a further two she reluctantly agrees to her new twins being separated at birth. The dice is cast, and one is fated to live a privileged life with a socially well-off couple and the other to stay with her in the downside of town.

We see how the story is thread around the threat of a curse, the bond between mother and child, the bond of twins and the bond of lovers. Set against the backdrop of 1960’s Liverpool, both humor and emotion cast their spell on the audience bringing to life the plot and resulting in an empathy with the characters. From the moment the mother starts her first song, to the climax of the play, the audience is captivated.

It is a pleasure to see, a complicated female character whose decision influences the plot. The actors playing the kids growing up to be adults have a demanding role, but they successfully apply themselves in such a way that the audience is transported to the back-to-back houses and the social division of the 1960’s, and on through to the 1980’s.

Alex Patmore (Mickey) and Joel Benedict (Eddie) are thoroughly convincing from over enthusiastic children to young adults. Danielle Corlass equally provides convincing performance as she transforms from the cheeky little child to the long-suffering wife Linda. But the actress who provides the glue holding the play together is Lyn Paul who plays Mrs Johnstone. Her acting and singing show the love and anguish of a mother in difficult times.

It is fascinating how the storyline plays with the Nature Nurture argument and how class and superstition can affect rational thought. You are drawn in and your heart is pulled and twisted as the story unfolds, but not before you are made to laugh in the early scenes.

There was laughter, there were tears and there was a very well-deserved standing ovation. Blood Brothers really is the musical you can see again and again, as was confirmed by the audience.

The show is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes long including the interval making it a little longer than the average musical, but one that will not only hold you to highs and lows, but make you stop and think and appreciate those special people in your life, I know I did.

For a building over a hundred years old The Alhambra Theatre performs extremely well today with a mixture of period and modern this theatre provides character and function. The acoustics are sharp and the atmosphere compelling. Not surprisingly The Alhambra Theatre is regarded as the North’s premier receiving venue with all touring shows generally go to the Alhambra, so you are sure to have a terrific time at this theatre.

The venue seats 1,400 people, and for those of you like me who like the opportunity to have a pre-performance and intermission chat, drink and odd bar snack or two, the very helpful bar staff are there to assist. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed but there are restaurants close by to satisfy most tastes.

I had an excellent view of the stage from the stalls. The seats were comfy and for someone over 6’ there was no problem with legroom.

There are 6 wheelchair spaces at the Alhambra Theatre. The accessible entrance is via Great Horton Road. The auditorium at the Alhambra is equipped with infra-red audio systems. Headsets are available from the confectionery kiosks.

There is no longer a legal requirement for you to wear a face covering in the venue, however, to protect the staff and other customers the theatre would strongly encourage you to wear a face covering during your visit. Face coverings can be removed when seated in order to eat or drink.

The theatre is in the heart of Bradford with easy parking at The Broadway Shopping Centre; Crown Court; Leisure Exchange; NCP on Hall Ings or Southgate; Oastler Centre; Sharpe Street (behind the National Media Museum).

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £18 inclusive of booking fees, exclusive phone/Counter – £2 per ticket plus postage charge where applicable. Online – £2 per ticket plus £1 per transaction for postage.

Blood Brothers is at The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford from Tuesday 19th October to Saturday 23rd October 2021. For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/blood-brothers-189147#scr-booking or The theatre box office on 01274 432 000

The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ