More than four decades after it was first performed, Blood Brothers has lost none of its power.
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There are not many musicals as enduring, endearing or consistently successful as Blood Brothers. In fact, it is the musical I often use as my reference point for what good looks like when comparing other shows.
And seeing it again at Cambridge Arts Theatre as part of its current UK tour only reinforced why.
What’s it about?
Willy Russell’s musical tells the story of Mickey and Eddie, twin brothers separated at birth and brought up in dramatically different circumstances. Mickey remains with his working-class mother, Mrs Johnstone, while Eddie is raised by the affluent Lyons family.
The boys meet by chance as children, unaware that they are actually brothers, and form an immediate friendship – becoming ‘blood brothers’. From there, their lives repeatedly intersect as childhood innocence gives way to adulthood and the differences between their circumstances become increasingly difficult to escape.
What we loved
The secret to the success of Blood Brothers is, above all else, its book.
From the moment the musical begins and the Narrator starts telling the tale of the Johnstone twins, you are hooked. The structure is extraordinarily clever. As soon as Mickey and Eddie are born, you become completely invested in what is going to happen to them.
And, of course, that is the key.
Things don’t go well for the Johnstone twins. As much as you might desperately wish things to turn out differently from your seat in the audience, there is nothing you can do to stop the runaway train heading towards its inevitable conclusion. That is the genius of Willy Russell’s writing: he tells you almost from the beginning where this story is heading, yet somehow makes you hope every time that perhaps it won’t.
Casting is critical to making that emotional journey work, and the triangle between Mickey, Eddie and Mrs Johnstone sits at the heart of the production.
Sean Jones as Mickey and Joe Sleight as Eddie are as good as you could hope for. They are perfection together – funny, loveable, ridiculous and ultimately heartbreaking. They take your heart and pull it in every direction over the course of the show.
Most importantly, their connection is completely believable. From the first moment the young Mickey and Eddie meet and discover they share a birthday before declaring themselves blood brothers, Jones and Sleight establish a friendship that feels utterly genuine. Watching that childhood innocence gradually collide with the realities of class, circumstance and adulthood is what makes the story so devastating.
Vivienne Carlyle is equally wonderful as Mrs Johnstone, bringing enormous warmth to a woman trying to hold her family together despite everything life throws at her. Her affection for her children feels completely authentic, and her relationship with the boys gives the production much of its emotional heart.
Beth Danher is excellent as Linda, while Michael Gillette makes a strong impression as Sammy. Kristofer Harding’s ever-present Narrator provides the ominous thread running through the story, constantly reminding us that consequences are coming. There isn’t a weak link in this company.
And then there is the score. Songs including Marilyn Monroe, Bright New Day and, inevitably, Tell Me It’s Not True remain as effective as ever.
Anything we’d change?
Nothing.
This is a production that has stood the test of time precisely because it doesn’t need to reinvent itself.
At a time when musical theatre is increasingly filled with enormous sets, projections, digital technology and spectacular effects, Blood Brothers is a reminder that none of those things are a substitute for great storytelling.
Give an audience an incredible story, beautifully constructed characters and a hugely talented cast and creative team, and you don't need much else.
Who created it?
Blood Brothers is written by Willy Russell and began life as a school play before being developed into the musical that premiered at Liverpool Playhouse in 1983.
The current Bill Kenwright production is directed by Bob Tomson and the late Bill Kenwright, with set and costume design by Andy Walmsley, lighting design by Nick Richings, sound design by Dan Samson and musical supervision by Matt Malone.
Verdict
More than four decades after it was first performed, Blood Brothers has lost none of its power.
Its success ultimately comes down to something remarkably simple: an incredible story, brilliantly told. We care about Mickey and Eddie from the moment they enter the world, and once we do, Willy Russell never lets us go.
This production proves that Blood Brothers will never go out of style.
It is currently touring the UK. See it where you can.