THEATRE REVIEW: Blood Brothers at Sheffield Lyceum

THE one and only previous time I saw Blood Brothers was as a teenager in London’s West End.

More than 20 years on, I can still remember being awe-struck by the experience of a trip “up West” to a tightly-packed, historic old theatre and by top-class performances from the leads.

It ran for 24 years in the capital — making it the third longest-running musical to ever play in the West End — and criss-crossed the UK tour until 2013.

Notable alumni include Kiki Dee, Barbara Dickson, four of the Nolan sisters, Spice Girl Melanie C, Stephen McGann, Antony Costa, David Cassidy, David Soul and Marti Pellow — quite a list.

But does Blood Brothers — essentially the story of siblings separated as babies and consigned to starkly contrasting lives: one of wealth and privilege, the other of poverty and strife — still pack the same emotional punch after all these years? 

Are songs like Marilyn Monroe, Bright New Day and Tell Me It's Not True as powerful as ever? 

Does Willy Russell’s portrait of growing up in the 1960s and working-class struggle in the ‘60s and ‘70s still ring true?

You bet it does.

Graced with compelling performances, lashings of humour and, in particular, a harrowing portrayal of one man’s descent from impish cheeky chappy to depressed, jobless ex-con, this gripping production brought the opening-night audience to its feet for a standing ovation and not fewer than three curtain calls.

That outstanding acting turn comes from Sean Jones as Mickey, the twin who stays with his sink estate mum while brother Eddie is taken in by childless, wealthy mum Mrs Lyons.

Jones should know the role inside out by now, having played it for more than 15 years on tour and in the West End.

He is clearly totally at ease, and it must be a great part to play, from the comedy of Mickey as a slapstick seven-year-old (”I’m nearly eight”, he insists) and an awkward, hormonal teenager who can’t work himself up to asking out childhood friend Linda (Daniella Corlass) to the tragedy of the ground-down, furious adult he becomes.

It’s a testament to Jones’ talent and the standard of Willy Russell’s script that the audience is prepared to go with the idea of Mickey and Eddie — who become blood brothers in short pants without knowing they actually share a mum — as kids, when the actors playing them are in their 40s.

Mark Hutchinson as Eddie is steady and charming if unspectacular in a less showy role, excelling most as the endearing junior school boy attracted to the scruffier side of the park, while Corlass’ Linda engagingly journeys from cute kid to flirtatious teenager and on to care-worn housewife.

One scene between Mickey and Linda as they fight over his addiction to anti-depressants, him desperate and addled, she grieving over the destruction of man she loved, is a standout.

I’ve not even mentioned Linzi Hateley or Robbie Scotcher, who hold everything together with equally-titanic performances as Mrs Johnstone, the mum who gives her son away, and the Narrator, an ever-present, unseen but keenly-felt spectre at the feast who never lets either mum forget the pact they made.

A nod too for Graham Martin, who turns up in at least half a dozen roles, beginning with the feckless dad who’s probably the cause of all the strike, dumping Mrs Johnstone as a pregnant mum-of-six.

Blood Brothers has been around since the 80s, but its central message of how fate dealing you the wrong cards can affect your whole life is as relevant today as ever.

Its songs are timeless, too, from the fun of Kids’ Game and the hope of Bright New Day to the bittersweet Easy Terms and the heart-wrenching finale Tell Me It’s Not True.

The programme reveals how Russell premiered the show back in school halls in the early ‘80s, revealing: “Kids don’t sit there politely, having paid £40 for posh seats, putting up with rubbish.

“Five actors would have to walk out without any lights or scenery, just go bang! and grab them. And I never saw it fail to do that.”

Thirty-five years on, if the reaction from the school group sitting behind me is anything to go by, Blood Brothers is still having that effect.

If you’ve never seen it, now’s your chance. If you have, save yourself a trip to London and enjoy another West End experience on your doorstep.

Playing at the Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday.