Blood Brothers – Not A Drop Of Emotion Wasted

The only inconsistency about this latest production of Blood Brothers is that it has not got one of the Nolan sisters in the principle role of Mrs Johnstone, mother to the doomed twins who finally peg it in Willy Russell’s award-winning show!

Other than that this tour de force, on the road for 35 years, invariably gets one of two reactions; returning ‘junkies’ are there for another fix of emotional tears, or new initiates clasp their hands to their faces in disbelief as the story reaches its dramatic conclusion. Nevertheless, they are all hooked.

However, be clear, none of the aforementioned is a criticism for this indeed is a great show, and the fact that runs at Leeds Grand Theatre just that bit longer than most touring productions, tells you all you need to know: it has at its heart an amazing story.

Blood Brothers had shaky beginnings, certainly in the West End where it returned after a two year lull because, initially, London audiences did not ‘get it’. However, it is now a tried and tested formula and there are few changes from production to production because, dare I say it, it is almost perfect.

Was narrator Robbie Scotcher Scouse enough? Was Alexander Patmore as bad boy Mickey as good as XYZ who did it previously? It would be unfair to unpick the show for the sake of being controversial because, at its heart, this is great entertainment, although to use such a word almost belittles something that is more than ‘entertaining’, for it touches an audience’s soul at a human level.

Blood Brothers tells the story of twins separated at birth when two mothers make a pact. Childless Mrs Lyons raises Eddie whilst Mrs Johnstone, already mother to an expansive brood, holds on to Mickey. The former is well educated and does well in life, the latter, ends up on anti-depressants, his life falls apart and, somehow, their lives end tragically as they began: on the same day.

Linzi Hateley as Mrs Johnstone was wonderful and brought all the experience of Broadway and the West End to her role which she played with infinite ease. But, without Alexander Patmore and ‘posh twin’ Eddie, played by Joel Benedict, she would have been a lesser performer.

It was a strong, complementary cast and I could pontificate all day about Blood Brothers. But perhaps my best advice is to urge you to go. It features a great story, with integral music that it more than just a series of ‘songs’, and it is a show for play goers as much as it is for devotees of musicals. That’s why is continues to play to packed houses across the world. Just go and experience it, you won’t be disappointed.

Leeds Grand until Saturday 18th May, 2019