Bill Kenwright Presents,
Blood Brothers
Theatre Severn
Tuesday 13th February – Saturday 17th February
(2.30 Matinees Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday)
One expects quality from Bill Kenwright Productions, taking on the massive shows and bringing them on tour to the provinces, has made this production company’s shows, one of the hottest tickets in town.
If you are unsure of the narrative of Blood Brothers, it’s a Liverpool tale of rich and poor, class and privilege, all hinging on the twin boys Eddie and Mickey Johnson. Due to circumstance, they are separated at birth and Eddie lives a life of privilege, university, and ultimately a council Job, Mickey gets nothing. Their paths eventually cross despite the best efforts of the poor women who had made this Faustian pact.to split the twins, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Lyons (Sarah Jane Buckley) who are the mothers of the two boys.
Ending in a shocking and cruel way this is still as important as it has ever been, as tonight rammed packed house was a testimony to, it’s vast popularity.
Pre-Hatton Liverpool couldn’t put a foot wrong. Significantly providing British culture with a huge and surprising boost. The Mersey contribution sneaked in to influence, Drama, Comedy, Music and Poetry. If at the time, one could bottle what Liverpool had, one could become so very rich. Willy Russell exploded onto the writer’s scene, in 1973; caustic, witty, irreverent, and humanist. 1983 was the year that Russell released this genius piece, and it has been packing theatres everywhere. Its excellent.
Mrs. Johnson (Niki Colwell Evans) has a huge and demanding part, exploring an entire lexicography of theatre conventions. Bringing a rawer, hard edge gave her the dominance the character needed. She played it expertly, found the pathos, the love, anger, frustration, and desperation. She had them all in her quiver and used each with such skill.
The twins, Mickey and Eddie (Sean Jones, and Joe Sleight respectively) found that link theatrically and one suspended all disbelief as one watched them growing from aged seven to grown men. So splendidly and confidently did they both navigate their difficult roles. Top drawer stuff really.
Linda (Gemma Brodrick) is a great part for any actress allowing the spectrum of emotions that being born into poverty can present. Perfectly cast one couldn’t help but love the way this part was played. Totally admirable Ms. Brodrick gives her heart and soul into her performance and the complexities of this poor girl/woman are explored beautifully.
Where would BB be without the Narrator? (Scott Anson) Scott Anson commands the space with his demonic threats and almost satanic pleasure he takes at all the misfortunes. The part is played so well. Always there, but melting into the shadows when challenged, as we all know evil can do when it has a mind to. A triumph of a performance.
The other parts were played with great energy, fun, mischief and of course pathos. It would also be churlish for me to forgot to mention the Greek chorus and how they sang together with great power and force. Filling the space with harmonies and descants. I will add; the incidental parts that make this show are all strong, on the money as far as choreography, acting, singing, goes adding a sheen to the show that just kept shining.
Wonderfully set, the scenery design (Andy Walmsley) is clever and sets context, however the real scenery is made by the actors in this piece movement and gesture all rehearsed to perfection. They created scenes around themselves, and one could imagine the setting they provided. A tremendous use of space is so important, the show manages great work with the space they have.
Lighting engineer Nick Richins’ work was stunning. The use of single spot lighting was clever and important; but the washes, the reds and blues and primaries all blended washing the stage with just the right light for each scene. It must have taken weeks to perfect such a complex plan, but it works so well.
Directors Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright’s co-directing has worked expertly, suggesting that the communication was great between them as together they ensured all themes were truly exploited.
Given the great sound (Dan Samson) and the excellent lighting rig, this is a big show. Treated with the gravitas it deserves and handled with respect and love, this national treasure of a work will go on packing houses for a few more years yet.
Great show, great work, what is there not to like about this epic production? It is on all week and I suggest if you can get a ticket you should, if you have one I hope this review will excite you enough to realise that you are truly holing the hottest ticket in town.
This is a Five Star Review
Sofia Lewis.
Sofia is a successful playwright living in Shrewsbury. After graduating from Wolverhampton University in theatre. Sofia went on to become an actor and film maker. Her first play was published in 2015 and her plays have been seen all around the world. She is also the instigator of the popular concerts, The Sound Of Shrewsbury Folk. She has been writing with loveshrewsbury for 13 years and loves Theatre Severn and all she sees there.
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