Book, Music & Lyrics: Willy Russell
Directors: Bob Tomson & Bill Kenwright
I first saw Willy Russell’s musical Blood Brothers at the Gaiety Theatre in 1984 at the tender age of 14. Rebecca Storm played the role of Mrs Johnstone, as she did again when I took my children to the Gaiety to see it in 2011. There is comfort in familiarity and so coming to watch Storm perform in the show for a third time, albeit at a different venue, is nostalgic in a lovely way. Especially as Blood Brothers in its earlier incarnation was instrumental in fostering my lifelong love of theatre.
Single mother Mrs Johnstone struggles to support her large brood in a terraced council house in inner-city Liverpool. A new job working as a cleaner for a wealthy lady called Mrs Lyons is put in jeopardy when Johnstone discovers she is pregnant with twins, a parting gift from the husband who had abandoned her. How can she afford two more babies with seven other mouths to feed at home? Step forward childless Mrs Lyons with a dastardly plan.
What ensues is a plot worthy of a Greek tragedy. With rhyming narrator Kristofer Harding foreshadowing all manner of impending harbingers, we follow the lives of two brothers, divided, as they are being raised on opposite spectrums of society. Their fateful reunion, when it inevitably comes, sets in motion a disastrous chain of terrible events.
Storm continues to excel in the role. Her voice, with its rich and harmonious timbre, remains powerful. Renditions of audience favourites such as ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’ and ‘Marilyn Monroe’ are especially rousing. While it would be unfair to expect an actress in her 60’s to have the same stamina as the 30 year old character she plays, Storm nevertheless delivers. While Mrs Lyons has a limited singing role, Laura Harrison’s equally melodic voice when she duets with Storm for ‘My Child’, is a joy. It is no surprise to discover she understudies the part of Mrs Johnstone.
Despite playing Mickey for 20 years himself, energy is not an issue for Sean Jones. His dynamic portrayal of the twin kept by his birth mother, is nothing short of electric. Jones’ stand-out performance is the beating heart of this production. Joe Sleight and Gemma Broderick are vibrant and authentic in their roles as second twin Eddie and mutual love interest Linda. Michael Gillette brings not just humour to proceedings as family blacksheep “our Sammy”, but also a palpable sense of tension and violence. Other cast members segue dexterously between a multitude of roles.
Realistically designed sets illustrate, alternatively, the exterior of the Johnstone’s Liverpool home, the salubrious living room of the Lyons residence and the setting for the family’s new house in a rural estate. A backdrop depicting the city at night is particularly eye-catching. Lighting and sound design by Nick Richings and Dan Samson respectively, help signify dramatically changing moods and atmosphere. One hair-raising incident has us (literally) jumping out of our seats.
Bord Gais Theatre has presented some big-budget musical productions this past year and while it’s impossible to compete with shows such as Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Chicago in terms of spectacle and glitz, there will always be room for a moving and intimate musical drama with an affecting score and a good story well told.
Runs Until 7th March 2026.
