Blood Brothers (Play Version)

Blood Brothers (the play version) by Willy Russell was well received by the audience. Director Michele Arkle has an excellent cast in this play. The story is about Liverpool twins who are separated at birth, Mickey brought up with his mother and siblings in poverty and the other, Eddie, in luxury. The set is very simple and the lighting is just right.

The Narrator Phil Rainforth, tells the story and comes over as a very sinister figure. Mrs Johnston, played by Hannah Marks, carries most of the story to start with, and is just right in the role. Having been left to bring up her children alone she has just got herself a little cleaning job but finds out she is expecting twins. Mrs Lyons her employer, played by Ingrid Bond, is longing for a child and as her husband is away on business gets her to agree to give up one baby when it’s born. She has just the right amount of ruthlessness when she goes back on her word and stops Mrs Johnston from seeing the baby and sacks her and later shows off her nervous side.

The twins are Eddie played, by Steve Davis, and Mickey, played by Jack Barnett. They start out as seven year olds first meeting whilst out playing. They find out they share the same birthday and become blood brothers. They are told to not play together by their ‘mothers’ but they still meet. Mrs Lyons moves home to a posh house in the country, at the same time Mrs Johnston gets the council to put her on the list to move and they too get a new house. We then see them at fourteen, eighteen and as adults, They both take on their roles and are truly believable as young boys. There are lots of comedy moments as Mickey is streetwise and Eddie is a ‘good’ boy and loves Mickey’s funny ways. Their best friend is Linda, nicely played by Emma Davis, who later becomes Mickey’s wife. They are great as teenagers and you see them develop into adults as the story unfolds into it’s tragic end, with the two finding the truth out at the end as Mrs Lyons shoots them.
The other characters are Mickey’s siblings, carol singers, milkmen and police played by Richard Sansom, Sarah Short, Donna West and Stevie Parker. They are all good in the different parts and add the light and shade into the production. I also liked the front of house displays about Liverpool at the time the play was set.
Well done to you all on a very good evening’s entertainment.
 

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