It is always nice to see a show which has done very well return to the city where it made it's name, and Blood Brothers is no exception.
The tale of the twins separated at birth has delighted audiences for over twenty years, gaining standing ovations every night as well as some of Britains finest leading ladies. Set in Liverpool, the show begins with the death of the two young men who ended up living two very different lives. One child was kept and one given away by the mother who couldn't afford to keep both of them, and the story follows the life of both boys as they grow up world's apart in the same city.
Both boys fight to keep their friendship alive, becoming blood brothers in the process. No matter how far apart their families move they are always brought back together. As they leave their childhood years behind them however, their destiny leads them down completely different paths - one to local government and the other to prison.
Sean Jones as Mickey and Paul Jones as Eddie both do sterling jobs as the two young brothers. It is Lyn Paul who shines however as the Marilyn Monroe obsessed mother. Her rendition of Tell me it's not true will have audiences reaching for their tissues, long after they've left the theatre. Her acting skills are good, but it is her voice, which projects from the stage right to the back of the auditorium, which distingishes her from the rest of the cast.
Robbie Scotcher as the narrator does disappoint however. It is true that much of the material which he has to deliver isn't particularly strong, but he delivers many of his lines in such a rush that the diction suffers and so it is hard to understand exactly what he is saying. This becomes quite distracting during the second half when his character is suposed to move the storyline on.
Whilst this show keeps returning to Liverpool is will continue to sell well, and rightly so. It is a good story which is told very well. However some of the lyrics are too contrived and this means that the flow of the story is occasionally affected. The show and the set are beginning to look dated now, although will the current economic climate there is more relevance to today.
The show does bring in the crowds, but it would be nice if it encouraged the audiences it does get to stay and watch other musicals - many of which are much better both lyrically and musically.
What the show does very well is that it lets you re-live your youth- it lets you revel in it.. the long, hot summer days at the fayre; the walks through the countryside and the nights sat looking out over the city. It lets you connect with the characters, and so it becomes ever more poignant at the ending.
If you have yet to see this show then you should get yourself a ticket - if you've already seen it then splash out the cash you would have spent on a ticket on another musical - you never know, you may even enjoy it more!
7/10
