Blood Brothers

The West End hit comes to the Wyvern Theatre

 

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Monday 20 February - Saturday 25 February 2017

 

Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.

 

Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the 'Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” The Daily Mail.

 

The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

 

Tickets: £26.50 - £34.50

 

Review of Blood Brothers

by Kelly Jobanputra

 

If you’re wanting an evening of entertainment that will have you laughing one minute and holding your breath with anticipation the next, then look no further than Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers which had its opening night at the Wyvern Theatre last night. (20th February)

 

Having seen this five times, I remember the storyline but it grips me just as powerfully now as on the first occasion that I saw it. And this particular production of this West End classic was the best version so far with a cast that was outstandingly strong and memorable.

 

Lyn Paul, of New Seekers fame, played the part of Mrs Johnstone and her voice was breathtakingly beautiful and clear. She’s a truly stunning lady who commands your full attention with her mesmerising stage presence.

 

 

She plays the part of a mother who is struggling to support her many children after her husband walks out on her. However, after she gets a cleaning job working for a middle class couple called Mr and Mrs Lyons she finally feels that she can get by but then she discovers she’s pregnant again and this time – it’s twins.

 

Hearing of her plight, Mrs Lyons (who can’t conceive and is desperate for a baby of her own) asks if she can take one of the babies after they are born and raise him as her own. Shockingly, a deal is made between this desperate penniless mother and her boss and you just know that this is going to mean trouble in the future.

 

This whole production, which was set in 1960s Liverpool, is accompanied by a fantastic musical score and a realistic set and it really sucks you in and takes you on a journey.

 

The twin boys who are separated at birth are Mickey (played by the fantastically versatile actor Sean Jones) and Eddie (performed by the talented Mark Hutchinson) and they end up forming a close bond even though both mothers fight to keep them apart. They are as different as chalk and cheese but they complement each other in every way.

 

 

Of course there is a girl involved in the story which ends up causing all kinds of twists and this character called Linda shines throughout the show as much as the other main characters.

 

This truly is a wonderful production which resulted in a unified standing ovation from the crowd and I would urge you to catch it before its last performance in Swindon this Saturday (25th February).