Blood Brothers (Play Version)

This was an intense and emotional production which was skilfully directed and thoughtfully performed.

The curtains opened onto a simple but effective split-level set of muted greys and blacks, a theme which was carried throughout the piece, and a powder puff of clouds on the back wall. 

The whole cast set the scene for the story to come with a catchy song and dance routine, highlighting Mrs Johnson’s rocky journey from teenager to wife and mother. As a carefree young girl who seemingly bore a resemblance to Marilyn Monroe and who loved dancing, she quickly fell pregnant, married her teenage sweetheart, and progressed to the inevitable struggle as a care-worn single parent with too many mouths to feed. Abandoned by her husband and pregnant again this time with twins she enters into a pact with her childless employer Mrs Lyons and reluctantly agrees to hand over one of the babies at birth. 

The action switched from the smart side of town SL where Mrs Johnson was a “char” to the backyard on the rough side SR where the washing pegged out and changed on the line cleverly denoted the passage of time.

Of course, the inevitable happened, the boys met and bonded and soon swore allegiance as “blood brothers”. Despite Mrs Lyons desperate attempts over the years to keep them apart their connection stayed constant throughout, even surviving a move to the country.

Mrs Johnson was convincingly portrayed, and the “posh” Mrs Lyons made an excellent foil. The “true” mother’s maternal instincts and concerns shone through, while the “foster” mother descended slowly into paranoia as she worried increasingly that the truth would be revealed!

The two “lads” Eddie and Mickey were simply superb, initially in short trousers having great fun playing children’s games they progressed believably through their teenage years to the reality of adulthood. Both had feelings for their friend Linda, which made things tricky when they grew up and she married Mickey while still retaining a close bond with Eddie. 

Linda made for an excellent playmate whizzing round the stage playing games with them both then maturing into a wife and mother, the cycle continuing. 

All the action was excellently linked by the Narrator, and the two remaining members of the cast filled in effectively in a variety of supporting roles

The climax came as Mickey confronted Eddie, their “mother” stood poised to confess the truth, and Mrs Lyons stepped in to shoot them both. “Born and died on the self-same day!”

The lighting was excellent throughout and the red glow on the Narrator’s entrances worked particularly well. The costumes were all suitably selected for the characters, although perhaps Mrs Johnson’s hairstyle would have changed as she grew older, and the occasional accents of red, including props was a clever touch.  

An extremely well performed and compelling production, with subtle Liverpudlian intonations where needed complementing the piece – very well done!

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

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