Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewer: Megan Hyland
Willy Russell’s timeless musical returned to Manchester last night with a full standing ovation. Having now passed its fortieth year on stage, Blood Brothers has stood the test of time and is a story that will continue to connect with audiences for years to come.
Willy Russell’s timeless musical returned to Manchester last night with a full standing ovation.
It is the story of the Johnstone twins – Mickey and Eddie – separated at birth after their mother found that she could only afford to keep one of them. One is raised in luxury whilst the other struggles to get by, but Mickey and Eddie’s bond is such that they always find their way back to each other – a bond that proves fatal.
Sean Jones stars as Mickey, showing incredible character development throughout the play as we watch Mickey go from hilarious childlike innocence to a broken adult who’s been beaten down by life too many times. Jones manages to portray this change with both understated emotion and raging intensity, quickly switching from one to the other with expertise; creating a character that is as unpredictable as he is sympathetic.
Jay Worley stars alongside Jones as Eddie, who never quite grows out of his childlike innocence. Worley portrays this with believability and warmth, and whilst Mickey’s tale is certainly the unfortunate one, we find ourselves feeling sorry for Eddie for simply not understanding the depth of Mickey’s pain. Jones and Worley have a warm and emotional chemistry that draws the audience further into their story, and make its end all the more tragic.
Both actors portray their characters in childhood with such energy and enthusiasm that we as an audience forget that we’re watching adults. This is also down to Willy Russell’s powerful ability to evoke feelings and memories with his writing, depicting a vibrant and heart-warming tableau of childhood that will feel familiar to any audience.
Although the story of the Johnstone twins is as moving now as it has ever been, there are elements of the play itself that feel somewhat dated now and would have benefitted from an update. For example, the children playing a game of Cowboys and Indians that offensively portrays Native Americans, and a bus conductor making a joke about being attracted to a fourteen-year-old girl feel less comfortable when viewed today. However, they do not detract from the heart of the story.
While the music has the potential to add to this dated feel with its distinctly eighties percussion and effects, the vocal talent of the cast overcomes this. Niki Colwell Evans as Mrs Johnstone and Richard Munday as the Narrator particularly stand out, with their impressive vocal range and dedication to their respective performances. They command the attention of the audience and carry the story with equal grace and power.
Blood Brothers is a story that continues to touch audiences as it always has with its unapologetically northern storytelling.
Blood Brothers is a story that continues to touch audiences as it always has with its unapologetically northern storytelling and Willy Russell’s moving music and lyrics. With hilarity and depth of emotion, Russell’s writing explores class, family, friendship, and mental health in a way that will continue to resonate and connect with audiences for another forty years and beyond.
– Megan Hyland
Blood Brothers runs at The Lowry until Saturday 22 October 2022