UK Theatre Network

Have you heard the story of the Johnstone twins? If not, you have missed what has become a classic of British musical theatre and now is your chance to hear the tale! Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers is on tour - follow a trail of tears and snotty handkerchiefs all the way to the King’s Theatre, Glasgow until 13 February 2010.

Glasgow-born songstress, Vivienne Carlyle, stars as Mrs. Johnstone, a 1960s Liverpudlian mother of seven who is just about making ends meet, until her husband leaves and the twins arrive. Reluctantly she makes a deal with Mrs. Lyons (Tracy Spencer), her well-to-do employer, to give one of her twins away. And so, irresistible and tragic wheels are set in motion as the twins are destined to be born and then to die on the self same day.

The story is largely light hearted and entertaining despite the tear-streaked faces that have famously been leaving performances of this musical all over the world. It follows the growth of the boys from childhood to adulthood and the script is bursting with the gritty Liverpool humour that made the writer famous. The humour is also observational and sucks the audience into a real bond with the characters as we sympathise with their poverty and remember schoolboy fun that helped to lighten the mood in difficult times. The tragedy, when it falls, feels very personal. The musical score, in isolation, seems almost unremarkable but together with the on-stage drama it adds great depth to the contrasts of mood that are the bedrock of this musical’s success. The audience can even take a few tunes home with them “My Child”, “Easy Terms” and “Tell Me It’s Not True” being eminently hummable.

The production has changed very little over the years, but the talented cast add their personal nuances to the timeless story.  Vivienne Carlyle took the role of Mrs. Johnstone (previously played by such well known actresses as Stephanie Lawrence, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul and four of the Nolan sisters) in her stride, never over dramatising, never over cooking the accent.  She took a nightmare narrative and made it real.  The combination of Sean Jones and Paul Davies as the twins, Mickey and Eddie, was the perfect mix.  I’ve had the pleasure of being entertained by Sean Jones in a previous tour and he is definitely my favourite Mickey.  His transformation from carefree seven-year-old to drug-dependant adult is heartbreaking in itself.  Chemistry with his on-stage sibling as well as his childhood sweetheart (Linda, played by Kelly-Anne Gower) was wonderful.  Finally, Robbie Scotcher’s menacing portrayal of the Narrator was the ideal balance of singing talent and threatening demeanour.

No other musical can take you through the entire spectrum of human emotion like this.  Book your ticket today.

Listings Info:

Blood Brothers
King’s Theatre, Glasgow
Tue 2 – Sat 13 Feb
Mon – Sat eves 7.30pm
Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm
Thu 4 Feb mat 2.30pm

Audio described performance 11 Feb 7.30pm
Signed performance 12 Mar 7.30pm

Tickets: £11.50 - £30
Box Office 0844 8717 648 (Bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)