Twins are renowned for having unbreakable bonds and will apparently find each other if they have been separated at birth. Their bond is invisible yet strong and magnetic. Blood Brother’s begins with the two bodies being covered up and there’s no spoilers about what is going to happen. However, that doesn’t deflect from the incredible production that unfolds before you on the stage as the story of the Johnstone twins is told.

Narrator Seán Keany delivers the cautionary tale about the life of the separated “Johnstone” twins and the dark superstitions that take place in the lead-up to their final moments. He casts a shadow over the stage at times as he softens some of the blows with a calm and matter of fact tone.

Vivienne Carlyle takes the role of single Mother Mrs Johnstone. Constantly battling to stay afloat and provide for her children after their father walked out for his next dancing partner! A strong and formidable character who fights to the very end for her children to be happy, although life has a way of directing us in other directions.

Starting work as the household cleaner for Mrs Lyons (Sarah Jane Buckley) life should start to become more manageable for the Johnstone household. That is until she discovers that her husband’s parting gift which has left Mrs Johnstone expecting twins.

Non identical twins Mickey (Sean Jones) and Eddie (Joe Sleight) begin their story as seven-year-olds. Jones offers an incredible and believable performance as a seven-year-old. From pulling his old jumper over his knees as children often do, to think it’s cool to use swear language. The boys capture being “little” and innocent and they appear to naturally grow up throughout the play. It’s fascinating and impressive to witness them grow into men.

There are some powerful musical numbers throughout Blood Brothers. Musical supervisor Matt Malone leads to band throughout the performance with a couple of incredibly strong songs performed by Carlyle. Although Blood Brothers is a musical the songs don’t saturate the storyline and each one is poignant to the characters storyline.

William Russell’s powerful story encompasses the struggles still faced by some single parents today. However, faced back in the time Blood Brothers is set during 1950’s Liverpool who knows what a mother would consider if faced with the prospects of twins, no money and children depending on her? Passing off babies would have been easier as the paperwork and legalities were almost non-existent.

For more information and ticket sales for the touring production of Blood Brothers please visit the links below.

Photo credit Jack Merriman.

Five Stars.

Blood Brothers

Cast

Vivienne Carlyle / Niki Colwell Evans* – Mrs Johnstone
Sean Jones – Mickey
Joe Sleight – Eddie
Sarah Jane Buckley – Mrs Lyons
Sean Keany– Narrator
James Ledsham – Sammy
Cameron Patmore – Perkins
Gemma Brodrick – Linda
Tim Churchill – Mr Lyons
Alex Harland – Policeman
Jess Smith – Brenda
Chloe Pole – Donna-Marie/Miss Jones
Graeme Kinniburgh – Bus Conductor/Postman
Dominic Gore – Neighbour

Nicki Colwell Evans will reprise the role at Liverpool Empire for two weeks only