The legendary musical Blood Brothers, which began life as a school play in Liverpool and has gone to on to become the third longest-running musical in West End history, played on Tuesday night to a packed-out house at Manchester Palace Theatre.
Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, Willy Russell’s ‘folk opera’ – which is more a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions – tells the story of two twin boys born to single, working-class Liverpudlian mother, Mrs Johnstone. Under much duress, she agrees to give one away to her wealthy, childless employer Mrs Lyons. The boys grow up a world apart from each other but form an unlikely friendship as children that sees them through adolescence and beyond, with tragic consequences.
Sean Jones plays the troublesome, working-class Mickey, whose monologue ‘I Wish I Was Our Sammy’ is a particular highlight and which introduces Jones as the mischievous seven year old – who’s nearly eight! Jones’ physical transformation from childlike scamp to unemployed, depressed addict is the show’s standout performance and the musical’s heartstopping resolution belongs to him as he slurs his way through the addled Mickey’s final moments.
Joe Sleight has the less flashy role as ‘soft lad’ posh boy Eddie, but he delivers a charming performance that sees him remain endearing, easy to root for and unfailingly likeable from start to finish. Both leads share a nice chemistry with Gemma Brodrick (their love interest Linda) who puts heart and soul into her role as the girl who comes between them.
Despite these triumphs, I was unmoved by the omnipresent Narrator (Scott Anson) and the conflicted Mrs Lyons. Sarah Jane Buckley downplayed her as fearful and vulnerable when there was great potential to make her conniving and scheming. Mrs Lyons is typically the most unlikeable character in the cast, yet is the catalyst behind the story’s driving force (separating the brothers) – but she did not lean into this dynamic.
Finally Mrs Johnstone, in many ways the true heart of the play, was played with aplomb by Vivienne Carlyle, whose glorious voice delivered enchanting classics like ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and ‘Bright New Day’ – and whose sorrowful closing number ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ stayed with me long after the show had ended.
Ultimately it’s not hard to see why this gritty northern drama about class and upbringing graduated from high school in Liverpool to the West End stage, especially when Sean Jones is at the helm.
Blood Brothers remains at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 30 November.
Feature image: Joe Sleigh, Gemma Brodrick and Sean Jones. Photo: Jack Merriman
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