Review: Blood Brothers (Tour)

Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 at Leeds Grand Theatre

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blood Brothers is out on the road again, and the latest cast bring Willy Russell’s wonderful, multi award-winning story to life with great energy, wit and heart.

Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, the show follows the story of the Johnstone twins. Separated at birth and raised in polar opposite households by polar opposite mothers, the lives of Mickey Johnstone and Eddie Lyons could scarcely be more different. But the pair are drawn together by a strong unnamed bond and their friendship is the foundation on which all hilarity and tragedy is built.

This is certainly a tale which continues to capture hearts and minds – and it isn’t shy in its social commentary; it stands the test of time because it’s of its time, but also an ever-relevant reflection of our times while class and life experience continue to be the make-or-break factor for so many. Admittedly on-the-nose fairly regularly, the commentary is no less sharp and witty for being obvious, blending home truths with plenty of disarming comedy for some classic moral messaging.

And it’s another great cast for the Blood Brothers books, too. While previous companies have held stronger, more emotive voices, this company has its strength in the energy and comedy of the show. Vivienne Carlyle brings plenty of warmth and spark to the put-upon Mrs Johnstone, with Sarah Jane Buckley providing the perfect contrast with the upright Mrs Lyons, increasingly frenetic as she navigates mental and moral decline. As for the lads themselves, Josh Capper is lively and adorable as the young scally Mickey – and suitably pitiful as the older, world-weary Mickey, while Joe Sleight finds all the right humorous notes in his performance as the well-raised “softy” Eddie.

Linda gets a fantastic run in the hands of Gemma Brodrick, who is both hilarious as the young starry-eyed girl and heartbreaking as the older woman with dreams lost to circumstance and bad luck. The wayward Sammy, with all his swagger and rebellion, is in the very capable hands of James Ledsham on this tour, while Tim Churchill lands the tongue-in-cheek elements of Kenwright’s multi-rolling quips beautifully.

With book, music and lyrics by Russell, the script is full of humour and pathos. Songs range from boppy fun to heartbreak and the music is at times enough to pluck at heartstrings before the lyrics are even sung. Andy Walmsley’s set design brings the streets of Liverpool to life through an iconic cityscape backdrop featuring the Liver Buildings and when it’s time for some drama, Nick Richings’ lighting comes into its own with fragmented light mirroring the anguish oozing from our troubled characters.

I can’t see Blood Brothers ever really losing its power, relevance or popularity – it’s a cracking story and an emotional journey no matter how many times you’ve taken the trip to Liverpool to see the Johnstone twins. It’s fair and deserved I think to call Blood Brothers a classic and a staple – if you’ve not yet been, it’s probably time that you went!

Blood Brothers is at Leeds Grand Theatre until December 7th 2024 – more information and tickets can be found here.