Blood Brothers at Waterside Theatre Aylesbury Review

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

Reviewed by Mel Randle

Last night we went to the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury to see Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. This was our first theatre trip of 2025 and WOW, what a way to start the year!! The show is over 40 years old, having first played in the West End in 1983 yet it has stood the test of time and continues to bring the West End feel to local theatres all over the country. At 2 hours 50 minutes (including 20 minute interval), it’s not a short show but it entertained us from start to finish and certainly gives you value for money!

Blood Brothers is the story of twins separated at birth yet growing up as best friends unknowing of their connection. Set in Liverpool between 1950-1980, one is raised in slums with their mother Mrs Johnstone, the other by the affluent couple Mr and Mrs Lyons. The show has elements for everyone as it follows the twins’ journey through three decades – an amazing song sheet, narration, laughter, tears and one almighty jump scare at the end!!! For anyone not familiar with the story it is very easy to follow! . It was also a nice nostalgic journey through time as we moved from rock n roll skirts from the 1950’s to unemployment in the 1980’s. The show does contain strong language, violence and sexual references so is generally recommended for age 12+.

The roles of the twins Mickey (Sean Jones) and Eddie (Joe Sleight) as well as their siblings and friends are portrayed from the age of eight upwards by the same actors throughout, so on paper really shouldn’t work. Yet somehow it was completely believable watching a group of grown adults running around the stage playing cowboys and Indians and they had the audience roaring with laughter. Most actors were playing more than one character, so the policeman became the teacher and the postman became the bus conductor. It wasn’t at all distracting but they did address the issue at the start when the milkman became the doctor and announced he had given up his round to join the medical profession. Huge belly laughs!

The set was amazing and one of the best I have seen in a long time, although I do wonder how they transport it from theatre to theatre on tour! The backdrop is a street in Liverpool with movable screens to create different locations and the inside of houses. Costumes were all authentic to the time period they were portraying in each scene and helped define between the rich and the poor.

The soundtrack is incredible and is one I am familiar with. Vivienne Carlyle as Mrs Johnstone gave a 10/10 performance of what I consider the shows three main tunes – ‘Easy Terms’, ‘Bright New Day’ and ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ – the latter ensuring there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!!

I can’t recommend this show enough. It is easy to see how it has run for so long because it is one I would watch over and over and don’t think I would ever tire of it. It’s definitely a ten from me!!

Rating: 5/5

Blood Brothers is live at Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury until Saturday 1st February 2025
Tickets available from £15.00 subject to a transaction fee of £3.95

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com.