Blood Brothers

If you mention Blood Brothers to anyone who knows it, they will immediately think of the ground breaking musical by Willy Russell that ran for over two decades in the West End. They may not think of the original play version that started off life as a school play first performed in Liverpool. It then opened as its musical form in the West End with Barbara Dickson. It went on tour after it became the 3rd longest running musical in London.

While this production was lacking the beautiful, haunting melodies that the musical brings, it certainly did not lack the emotionally charged performances which this experienced cast brilliantly brought to the creative stage set with this iconic Blood Brothers drama. Crew are to be praised for their work.

This play has a deeply emotional story.

The concept of giving away a baby fills us with sadness and appears horrific, and yet it happened regularly in areas of poverty, where barren women would be given a baby if a prolific mother could not cope with yet another mouth to feed and maybe more so if twins were to come into the world.

Opening with a full on dramatic Narrator from the outstanding Bleddyn Jones his connection with the players was very skilled , as he moved close to them, emphasising the drama, a very fine performance. Jack Strickland played several vital parts very well, his diction and command of the stage made the characters come alive.

Mrs Johnson, Sarah Jones the Mother of the twins, played the child rearing weary Mother so well and gave a tragic resigned acceptance of the oh so hard task of giving her twin boy away , a poignant performance.

Then Mrs Lyons, Sian Dinham the desperate craving for a child woman, her powers of persuasion to the fore, an excellent part she played, we could feel her longing and then her possessiveness of her child Edward. Linda the love interest was played sensitively by Sasha Pallari.

Edward the twin from the best part of town, was well played by Matthew Oliver, and also the rough, street wise social housed Mickey, Steve Seggie, moving their roles through several years starting with young boys antics Mickey enticed the inexperienced Edward to try, through to later years and girl talk. The constant conflict of the parents trying to keep them apart, running through their lives and yet they were destined to meet and be near each other, drawn to each other until the tragic ending.

Director Janine O Callaghan is to be commended. for she brought every last piece of pathos from this work.

Thank you for inviting me and Ian to this special play, see you for Abigail's Party.

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