Running in London’s West End and touring for almost 40 years, Blood Brothers is possibly Willy Russels’ most popular musical. Embarking round the UK and Ireland for 2023, this performance, directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, is showing at Coventry’s Belgrade until April 1st.
A moving story of two twins separated at birth, it follows the stories of Mickey (Sean Jones) and Eddie (Joe Sleight) as they navigate life from very socio-economic backgrounds, portrayed nicely by Andy Walmsley’s set, terraced houses lining the stage.
After a stunning opening number, the swell of the orchestra sets the scene before the classic Marilyn Monroe, but the rest of the first half gets off to a slow start. Jones may be well versed in the role over the past decades but there’s something remarkably off-putting about grown men throwing tantrums in the style of a 7 (nearly 8) year old.
The show picks up in the second act, Jones and Sleight making more convincing awkward teenagers than they did primary school children, with Jones an especially devastating shadow of a man.
Olivia Sloyan as Linda portrayed the change brilliantly, evolving from carefree child, to sassy teen, and finally world-weary adult.
Niki Colwell Evans, starring as Mrs Johnstone, thoroughly deserved the standing ovation at the end, her vocals generating the emotion in this tragic narrative. In fact, both Niki and Paula Tappenden as Mrs Lyons do a fantastic job of capturing the emotional turmoil of motherhood.
Richard Munday as the Narrator creates a mixed effect. In the first act his lurking comes off rather creepy, like he’s intruding upon the action, although in the second he does develop a more haunting presence with his recurring “Devil’s got your number” refrain.
Russell’s jaunty score keeps the story moving, with refrains that will stick in your head for some time after the curtain falls.
Blood Brothers runs until April 1. Visit belgrade.co.uk for tickets
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Katie Reviews 