REVIEW: Blood Brothers
- Posted on April 16, 2007 10:07 AM
- 1 comment
A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE
Blood Brothers at The Phoenix
By Peter Coulston
Given that this show has been running for twenty years in London’s West End, I realise that, in many cases, I will be preaching to the converted. However, there must be some people out there that have not seen it, so this will hopefully give you some insight as to what it is about, and whether or not it is for you.
I will begin with the venue, which is currently the Phoenix Theatre on Charing Cross Road. Officially opened by the manager, C.B. Cochran, on 7 September 1930, the theatre became famous for featuring established works as well as new productions by the likes of Noel Coward. The theatre now has a bar named after him. While it is a visually pleasing place to be, I personally found the seats far too small and I am no giant. The Mr T look-alike sitting in front of me found it even more of a problem. Conveniently located between Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road tube, you have the choice of the Northern, Central and Piccadilly lines. Lots of buses stop right outside, and on-street parking is available as long as you avoid resident only spots.
The play itself is set in Liverpool and spans a period of twenty years or more. It involves a recently deserted single mother who allows her wealthy employer to unofficially adopt one of her newly born twins. The deal is that nobody must ever know, and that the twins must have no contact with each other. This of course does not happen. I will not tell you anymore, as it will spoil the show. I will consequently move on to the music.
Written entirely by Willie Russell, the show includes some excellent songs, including the link song between the different era’s, “Marilyn Monroe”. This is sung by the single mother, Mrs Johnstone, who was portrayed very effectively in this production by Helen Hobson. Previous performers in this role have included Kiki Dee, each of the Nolan Sisters and Barbara Dickson in London and Carole King and Helen Reddy on Broadway. This character gets many of the best songs including “Easy Terms” and “Tell Me It’s Not True”. There is a narrator throughout who sets the scene as the years pass, and the twins get some good songs, especially “I’m Not Saying A Word”, sung by the wealthy twin.
This show has so much to offer, with it’s fine songs, a gritty storyline which always finds room for humour, even in the darkest of times; there’s a love story, love rivalry and class warfare, all pulled together for a most entertaining experience. If you are, like me, one of the minority that hasn’t yet seen it, then give it a go. I think you’ll love it.
Have you seen Blood Brothers? What did you think? Let us know in the comments section.
Comments (1)
jamie hobman
you are gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on July 5, 2007 2:34 PM
Post a comment
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.seatwaveblogs.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/653
