Writer: Willy Russell
Director: Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright
Blood Brothers, Willy Russell’s enduring cultural classic speculating on the timeless question of ‘what defines us, nature or nurture?’, is an unquestionable classic. And this 2022 national tour feels particularly timely as the UK faces a cold winter dominated by concerns of cost of living and the increasing threat of falling into debt and “living on the never never”. This tale of twins separated at birth and growing up in vastly differing social climes was an Olivier Award-winning hit on its West End debut in 1983 and there’s no doubt that it continues to delight audiences across the world nearly 40 years on.
Niki Colwell Evans gives a strong if at times dubiously accented performance as iconic matriarch Mrs Johnstone and Richard Munday, though commanding on stage, similarly radiates ‘faux Scouse’ a little too heavily at times. One can’t help but think that this increasingly relevant tale of poverty, class and the ‘have and have nots’ would be just that bit more striking if not distracted by inauthentic Liverpudlian parlance.
Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright excel at highlighting the small human details in the text, no easy feat in an all-singing, all-dancing musical. However, some of the more traditionally ‘dramatic’ moments in the text and musical cues appear slightly softened, the climactic final scene didn’t quite seem to draw the same gasps as previous productions and there seemed to be a few more dry eyes than usual as the audience vacated the foyer. Admittedly this cynical analysis may only arise in those who’ve seen the play in several different incarnations over the years, because the hordes of school groups chattering excitedly in the foyer afterwards didn’t radiate a glimmer of disappointment and will no doubt hold this trip in their minds as a formative theatrical experience
Tomson and Kenwright’s current production doesn’t bring anything new and groundbreaking to the table. But the rapturous applause and widespread standing ovation at the curtain call strongly testifies to the old classic “why mess with a classic?”. If you’re coming expecting to see something edgy and innovative this might not be your vibe, but those wanting to see a faithfully recreated classic at a particularly pertinent time in social history will not be disappointed.
Runs until Saturday 22 October
The Reviews Hub Score
Mixed-Bag
