This show is the reason why I love musical theatre so much. I still remember like it was yesterday leaning over the front row in the gallery of Theatre Royal Brighton watching Blood Brothers for the first time, I have seen a few productions since and it will always be one of my faves.
I absolutely love the Blood Brothers story; it’s powerful, emotional and timeless. The story revolves around the Johnstone twins, who are separated at birth (Mickey who is kept by his mother and Eddie who is given away to a mother who can’t have children) but later in life, find each other and become Blood Brothers.
2007 X Factor semi finalist Niki Colwell Evan’s plays the lead role of Mrs. Johnstone, a role she was born to play! She was absolutely sensational in this role, the emotion which Colwell Evan’s puts into her performance is astounding, the final scene involved so much emotion from all actors which didn’t go unnoticed, so many of the audience were in tears, I even had the feels!
The song Tell Me It’s Not True performed at the end of the show is my favourite – you can see the emotion which goes into the performance as Colwell Evan’s had to wipe away tears as the show closed to one of the biggest standing ovations I have witnessed at Theatre Royal Brighton.
One of the many things I LOVE about Blood Brothers is how prominent the Narrator is, who is played by Danny Whitehead. The Narrator definitely brings that element of drama to the show, and ensures the audience are following the story as it should be followed. The Narrator is also included in several songs, and pops up in various parts of the show. Whitehead was fantastic in this role.
The Johnstone twins are played by Sean Jones (Mickey) and Joe Sleight (Eddie) each of them playing completely opposite roles. Mickey is from the rough side of town, has multiple siblings and a mother who can’t afford to put food on the table, whereas Eddie is the “Posh” boy with a mother who doesn’t need to work as his father brings home the bacon, but ultimately they have a bond, a twin bond which can never be broken.
Jones and Sleight brought both laughs and emotion to their respective roles, again in the final scene where the show concludes being there most dramatic and emotional scene which in my opinion is one of, if not the best final scene of a show EVER, so many times you leave the theatre and think well that could have ended better, but not this show, this show gives you a beginning, middle and end.
Linda played by Gemma Brodrick is Mickeys friend, and later becomes a love interested for both the twins. I loved her scenes, especially when the show fast-forward several years and the twins and Lind are now in High School. Brodrick definitely added a few laughs to the show, and gave a raw and emotional performance at the end.
Eddies parents are played by Sarah Jane Buckley (YES Sarah and Amy Barnes’s mother in Hollyoaks) and Tim Churchill, the role of Mrs Lyons was a very sad one, unable to get pregnant, scared of losing the child she had been given and really struggling to get by. I thought Buckley portrayed this character very well. It’s also very interesting to see the different dynamics of the families on stage. A wealthy well to do family who are unhappy and miserable and a poor family full of love and fun!
The staging hasn’t really changed over the years; it’s simple yet effective and consists of a street view with brick front and front doors. It really works, plus the dramatic lighting and orchestra really brings the whole thing together. I sometimes get bored if a stage doesn’t change, but I didn’t during Blood Brothers which is when you know it’s a great show! I think even if the stage was bear with no props, it would be a fantastic show!
Blood Brothers isn’t like any other musical, its raw, its emotional, its happy, it’s sad, you will feel every emotion while watching this show but that’s what makes it great!
Blood Brothers is at the Theatre Royal Brighton until Saturday 7th October 2023. I urge you to book tickets ASAP! Even if you’ve seen it before, you need to see Niki Colwell Evan’s as Mrs. Johnstone before it’s too late!
CLICK HERE to book! Shows every evening at 7.45pm, and matinee shows Thursday & Saturday at 2.30pm.
*Gifted Tickets*