Review of Blood Brothers at Norwich Theatre Royal: Thought-provoking hit musical is a must-watch
Blood Brothers – Theatre Royal, Norwich
Until this week, it had been around 14 years since I had last seen Blood Brothers on the stage, and boy was it worth the wait.
I have a bit of a special connection to Willy Russell’s work, having studied it at GCSE and twice watched it on the West End as a teenager.
So when I saw that Blood Brothers was going on a UK tour and visiting Norwich’s Theatre Royal, with former X Factor star Niki Colwell Evans – who I had seen in the role the last time I watched it – back as Mrs Johnstone, I knew I needed to be there.
Within moments of the curtain raising, the music beginning and the cast taking to the stage to catapult us straight to the tragic ending, I had goosebumps and could feel that myself – and the packed out audience – were in for a treat.
Tuesday's performance was the opening night of the UK summer tour of the show, directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, which tells the moving tale of two twin brothers who are separated at birth in the late 50s and grow up in the 60s and 70s in vastly different circumstances in Liverpool.
The pair meet again by chance (or is it fate?) and call themselves ‘blood brothers’ – and in the end, there are truly devastating consequences for all involved.
Colwell Evans was superb as the working class mother who has to make an impossible decision and her voice was both flawless and effortless.
Danny Whitehead was terrific as the narrator – a foreboding presence who is almost always watching over proceedings and reminding the central characters of the consequences of their actions.
Sean Jones was a particular stand-out as Mickey, the twin who continued growing up with his biological family while not knowing his brother even existed, let alone that he was having a more privileged upbringing than himself.
He perfectly transitioned from a hilarious not-so-innocent youngster, to a teenager with his whole life ahead of him, and then a down-trodden adult who brings the show to a final climax in his jealousy-driven rage.
Jones was well supported in this role by his twin Eddie, played brilliantly by Joe Sleight, and Gemma Brodrick as Linda, who we also see change from an innocent child to an anxious adult.
There are no weak links in the cast, and mention also has to go to Paula Tappenden who plays the well-off Mrs Lyons, desperate for a child who ultimately becomes overprotective of her adopted son and paranoid that he will learn the truth.
I don’t think there’s ever been a musical so peppered with comedic moments and beautiful musical numbers that also ends so tragically.
Blood Brothers, which was first performed in the 80s, still resonates with audiences four decades on and after more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End, with its thought-provoking commentary on superstition and social class. It is absolutely a must-watch and the cast and crew fully deserved the standing ovation on Tuesday night.
The show continues until July 1. Visit www.norwichtheatre.org.
Review by Rebekah Chilvers
