April 25, 2011
New Theatre, Oxford, 25 – 30 April 2011
Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers has been captivating audiences since its debut in 1983 and has become one of the longest running musical productions ever to be staged in the West End. This latest tour, produced and directed by Bill Kenwright, is proving to be just as successful. The moving story is of twins Mickey and Eddie, separated at birth when their mother, known simply as Mrs Johnstone, gives Eddie up to her wealthy employer with the promise of a better life for one of her sons. The twins grow up at opposite ends of the social spectrum, though their paths often cross (leading to the tragic conclusion). As well as telling a gripping story, the play examines the concept of class in Britain and looks at the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate.Combined with an excellent score, including the catchy ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and the powerful ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’, it’s plain to see why Blood Brothers has stood the test of time. The latest cast just adds to the production’s appeal. X-Factor’s Niki Evans is outstanding as Mrs Johnstone, managing to capture the vulnerability of the twin’s desperate mother and moving between the upbeat and the heart-wrenching numbers with ease.
Sean Jones is also impressive in the role of Mickey – he seems to grow in confidence throughout, playing both his adult character and a convincingly child-like, adventurous seven-year-old Mickey with aplomb. The rest of the cast, though perhaps not as outstanding as Evans and Jones, offer solid performances, and their North-West accents (in some cases, slightly hit and miss to begin with) improve throughout the production.
The set and lighting are very good, allowing for swift changes in setting and mood, with the lighting proving particularly effective in the final scenes, where the red light warns of unpleasantness to come. Whilst the music and sound effects would perhaps be better suited to a larger venue and are slightly overwhelming at times, they are generally effective, particularly in the final scene.
Overall, Blood Brothers is a compelling play which offers an appealing combination of comedy and tragedy, an excellent score and some intriguing questions about life and class. Kenwright’s production combines this with an impressive, vibrant cast which will no doubt continue to receive standing ovations throughout the tour.