Blood Brothers at Kings Theatre, Portsmouth Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Lily D

Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers is one of the most accomplished and well-loved shows of the last few decades and continues to captivate show after show.

Set in Liverpool in the 60’s, the show centres around two brothers, “Mickey” and “Eddie, twins who are tragically separated at birth. Mickey is to remain with their mother Mrs Johnstone, who is living in poverty, struggling to make ends meet. Eddie is to live with Mrs Lyons, a lady living in much more affluent circumstances but who is unable to bear children herself.

The show highlights the stark contrast in living conditions between the two families and the impact that has on the life of the boys. Despite the separation and economic differences in their circumstances, fate brings them together.

We follow them from their first meeting as excitable little children aged 7 (nearly 8) until early adulthood where the love of two friends and twin brothers is destroyed forever.

We are immediately introduced to Mrs Johnstone, played by the amazing Vivienne Carlyle. When she delivered the first note, there was such tenderness behind the vocals which clearly could deliver a punch when required. Her performance was perfection; there was a softness which stirred more emotion in just a few notes than I believed possible and the audience felt every moment of anguish as she was separated from her son. Torn between wanting the very best for her many children and the reality of living below the poverty line, the pain she felt was clear to see as she was persuaded to give her child away to Mrs Lyons, played by the amazing Sarah Jane Buckley. Sarah, like Vivienne has returned to play this role many times. She takes us on an emotional rollercoaster. At the beginning she has our sympathy, the sadness of not being able to have children of her own, right through to the act of betrayal which ultimately leads to the final tragedy of the show. She plays the part of Eddie’s rich adopted mother perfectly.

A great deal of the show revolves around the Johnstone children alongside other children of the estate they grow up on. They had us laughing and crying in equal measure. James Ledsham as Sammy provides many of the laughs for the show and you can’t help rooting for him.

Sean Jones returns to play the part of Mickey Johnstone alongside Joe Sleight as the rich, adopted brother Eddie Lyons. The chemistry between the two actors was fantastic and they played their roles with passion. Their vocals were pitch perfect, emotive and striking. To quote Eddie, “just smashing”. The performance of the English schoolboy by Joe was hilarious, high energy and joyful. As Mickey falls victim to his circumstances, my heart broke for him, showing what an outstanding job Sean had done at drawing us in. I don’t think I have ever witnessed a more believable or more heartb reaking portrayal of depression, drug addiction and decline on stage. Sean Jones plays this difficult part with ease proving the role is made for him.

The role of the Narrator is played by Scott Anson. He plays the role cleverly, fading into the background and using powerful, note perfect vocals to get his story across. He is unfailing in his mission to let us, the audience, know precisely the reason for the tragedy that is to come. I loved him in this role. He took nothing away from the rest of the cast despite his presence on stage for most of the evening but added to the strong performances.

The rest of the cast were also strong. Vocals were top class. The first act felt much more demure compared to the hard hitting, powerful and heart-racing act two but this adds to the appeal of the show.

The final scene of the show drew out an emotion in me that I have never experienced in any shows previously. I found myself sobbing uncontrollably whilst watching a mother kneeling, devastated at the loss of her children. The pain portrayed during this scene struck me to the core as a mother myself. The final song “Tell me it’s not true” brought everyone to tears as we grieved alongside her.

This is an outstanding show, one everyone must see. It is devastating and emotive, a total powerhouse of a show. The cast appeared for the curtain call to an enthusiastic, well deserved, standing ovation with most of the audience in in tears, the cheers were deafening. Nothing less would have sufficed.

Blood Brothers is showing at the Kings Theatre, Portsmouth between 5th November and 9th November.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £12.50

For more information or to book tickets please visit www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk.  https://www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/whatson-event/blood-brothers/