Review: Blood Brothers at Palace Theatre is ‘timeless, multifaceted and ever relevant’

Willy Russell’s popular and highly acclaimed musical Blood Brothers began life as a high school play, and it was developed into a musical and staged in Liverpool. It then became a West End juggernaut and a perennial favourite in regional theatres.

This show was written in the early 1980s, so you would think that many of the show’s themes and statements are not relevant anymore. You would hope so but read on.

Blood Brothers at the Palace Theatre

The protagonist Mrs Johnstone (Vivienne Carlyle) scrimps and scrapes to make ends meet for her kids, whilst being a housekeeper for a wealthier woman – Mrs Lyons (Sarah Jane Buckley).

Mrs J lives on the ‘never never’ and dreads that harsh knock at the door, as often the person on the other side wants paying. From the rent man and the milk man through the temptations of catalogue pre-internet, this woman who simply wants to provide for her family is cornered.

Flash forward to now and food banks are now the norm and we don’t question their existence, over one million children in the UK do not have a bed, and 1000s of people have to choose between heating and eating.

So, you can see why this classic musical has never dated. Our focus is on the class divide, and the Tories may now be the opposition but their legacy remains and therefore, this show still resonates with audiences.

When Mrs Johnstone realises she is pregnant with twins, she is angst-ridden, as this is another two mouths to feed, and she already has a large family. Mrs Lyons has a beautiful home and all of the money she needs but cannot conceive. She persuades Mrs J to give up one of the twins and pass it off as hers.

A Greek tragedy set in Liverpool

Blood Brothers is a Greek tragedy set in Liverpool, and Russell is making relevant and pertinent points about social class, gender and gentrification.

And many of them still sting, as the cast sing, bringing full-on emotion to this marvellously moving musical.

The superb set of songs still deliver after 40 years – from Easy Terms, which highlights how easy it is to get hold of cash and pay way more than you borrowed, through to Marilyn Monroe which is a humorous and poignant glimpse at the men who have not hung around to support Mrs Johnstone and how society accepts an absent father.

Similar to Russell’s classics Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita, this show offers the audience Willy’s wonderful wordplay. Repetition is key, and it reminds us of the constant rut you find yourself in, when you hit hard times. You long for some luck and some good news, but there is always someone willing to profit from your desperate situation.

The narrator (Scott Anson) in Blood Brothers, stands waiting to offer a cynical point of view, appearing like a magpie, ready to swoop on some jewellery, but often delivering a barbed comment or some foreshadowing.

As each boy grows up, we are offered the chance to witness the difference between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots.’ But what if the two boys meet, will this bring even more bad luck to the Johnstone household?

Vivienne Carlyle is following in the footsteps of many Nolans, Barbara Dickson, Kiki Dee and Melanie C. So it does take a while for her interpretation to become separate from these. But once the second half of the show starts, she begins to fly and vocals soar. Her real gift is making Mrs Johnstone an ordinary, self aware woman who wants to do best by her family. When this character is broken, Carlye excels through her excellent body language alone.

Scott Anson less malevolent than previous narrators but he nails the sardonic humour and Russell’s poetic language. And during the song “Shoes Upon the Table” he brings genuine menace.

Sean Jones never fails to disappoint as Mickey

Sean Jones has played Mickey so many times that he could just phone in his performance but he never does. This show is in his blood, and Mickey becomes fully formed as a result. He takes the audience through a variety of emotions and he is pure class.

Joe Sleight’s Eddie is the perfect opposite for Jones’ Mickey and his comic timing as the posh twin is spot on. Sarah Jane Buckley does well as Mrs Lyons, as the way the character is presented is a bit dated. But she manages to convey desperation in a way that makes her actions almost justifiable.

Gemma Brodrick’s ‘remarkable’ Linda

Gemma Brodrick is remarkable as Linda, Mickey’s childhood sweetheart, as she is earthy, loving and loyal. But she has an inner fighting spirit that mirrors Liverpool. James Ledsham as Mickey’s brother Sammy is caught between boy and man and the actor has genuine stage presence. And Tim Churchill who has played Mr Lyons many times before is reliably good.

The supporting cast lift this show, as they play children, visitors to the house, wanted and unwanted and they bring humour in every vignette, including the iconic “Miss Jones” which explores the heartless world of lay-offs, as people becomes numbers.

Andy Walmsley’s set design is simple but effective highlighting the class divide with a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

But Nick Richings’ striking lighting design reminds us that this is musical has darker tones than many you have seen.

Willy Russell’s book, music and lyrics highlight why this show is still standing and packing audiences in every year, without fail. The show builds in terms of momentum and the character development is everything, as you know this family and the community around them. So by the time you reach the gut punch of a finale, you are in bits.

Will Russell’s narrator says: “Do we blame superstition for what came to pass? Or could it be what we, the English, have come to know as class?”

Blood Brothers is more than a musical, it makes for a fascinating evening out, as there are many layers and it delivers more with each viewing. It’s bloody brilliant!

Tickets for Blood Brothers at the Palace Theatre

Blood Brothers is at the Palace Theatre until 30th November and can be booked here