Review: Blood Brothers

The journey of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers is a well documented one. Starting life as a five handed piece, touring schools it has captivated audiences all over the world for the last 29 years.
Lyn Paul as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.Lyn Paul as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.
Lyn Paul as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.

However as the years advanced its utility sets and basic lighting became rather tired – aesthetically it was time for a makeover.

When the curtain rises on a dramatically and beautifully lit set dominated by the iconic Liver Building – there is little doubt where you are. The mood is set. The makeover has been a success.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Back-lit coloured windows dominate and portray emotions, brighter, simpler sets and a seamless and dynamic pace have catapulted the show into a new dimension.

Blood Brothers is a tale of social injustice about two brothers separated at birth.

Told in a series of flashbacks, 
the pace and dramatic impact is sealed by the narrator. Kristofer Harding’s at times dark characterization embraces every emotion, and is a brilliant piece of acting that keeps the audience enthralled..

Lyn Paul’s Mrs Johnson drives the show handling comedic and sad moments with a gritty passion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As the Johnson twins Mickey (Sean Jones) and Eddie (Joel Benedict) are outstanding and totally believable. Jones makes the transition from a mucky kid, with a mouth to match to an insecure teenager and a broken drug dependent man whilst Benedict portrays the naïve, innocence of a posh kid, going through public school and university.

An exceptionally talented supporting cast make this production one of the best ever. And I can truly say there was hardly a dry eye in the house as the curtain fell.

Liz Coggins

To April 2.