Blood Brothers (The Lowry, Salford Quays)

Archive: This review was first published on September 12, 2013 by the Daily Post

Anybody who grew up with a working class background, living in terraced housing and having adventures in the alleyways of a council estate will love where Blood Brothers comes from.

This heartwarming (and when I say warming, sometimes you'll feel roasted) musical about the tale of two brothers parted at birth stars Maureen Nolan as Liverpudlian single mum Mrs Johnstone, who finds herself pregnant with twins at a time when she really cannot afford them (she has seven other kids).

She enters into an inadvisable pact with her well-to-do employer Mrs Lyons, who cannot have children of her own, and gives one twin away while keeping the other.

The musical then tells the magnetically involving story of each brother and their different upbringings – one close to the breadline but a more well-rounded (if troublesome) young man, the other privileged with wealth and education, but lacking in friends or social skills.

Believe me when I say this is proper Catherine Cookson material, but not in a bad way. It rarely edges close to schmaltz, staying just the right side of truth, especially as we witness how fate will always find a way to get what it wants.

The twins grow up as best friends, unaware of their sibling connection, but when one has to move away to the country, the feeling of separation and two "blood brothers" being ripped apart is palpable and affecting.

The musical numbers are entertaining, especially the recurring Marilyn Monroe, although by the end of the production I was wondering just how far playwright Willy Russell could stretch the metaphor. To be fair, it's probably a little too far, but that doesn't disguise the fact it's still a charming tune.

Nolan is superb as the feisty, loving mum just trying to do her best for her family, while Sean Jones and Mark Hutchinson as the lads are spot on too. The scenes with them playing in the street with their gang are hilarious and touching, bringing a real air of nostalgia to this heartwarming – but it's no spoiler to say tragic – epic.

The stats

Writer: Willy Russell

Directors: Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright

Cast: Maureen Nolan (Mrs Johnstone); Warwick Evans (Narrator); Sean Jones (Mickey); Mark Hutchinson (Eddie); Tracey Spencer (Mrs Lyons); Olivia Sloyan (Linda); Daniel Taylor (Sammy); Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons); Graham Martin (Policeman/ Teacher); Tori Hargreaves (Donna Marie/ Miss Jones); Ben Rowland (Perkins); Samuel Hargreaves (Neighbour); Danielle Corlass (Brenda); Graeme Kinniburgh (Bus conductor)

Performed at The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 2 to 7, 2013 (as part of a Bill Kenwright Productions tour). Performance reviewed: September 7, 2013.

Links

Blood Brothers on The Lowry website (retrieved Jan 12, 2015)

Blood Brothers on Bill Kenwright website (retrieved Jan 12, 2015)

Blood Brothers on Wikipedia (retrieved Jan 12, 2015)

BBC Bitesize Blood Brothers pages (retrieved Jan 12, 2015)

Promotional video (retrieved Jan 12, 2015)