Image credit: Jack Merriman
The multi-award-winning Blood Brothers production by Billy Kenwright, written by Willy Russell, didn’t disappoint one bit! For many years I’ve been wanting to see this and finally it is here in our home town, Bromley at the Churchill Theatre, playing until the 4th of March 2023.
This is a moving and captivating story about two brothers, twins, who were separated at birth. As the story unfolds from opposite sides of the tracks, we get a glimpse into two different classes, family values, and the true realities of living in Liverpool in the 1970s. The two brothers paths through unfortunate circumstances find serendipity gravitating them back together in adulthood, where the audience experiences a touching story of unconditional love…
From the get-go, the curtain rose with a stunning night scene of Liverpool. The production captivated the audience with ‘ooh’s’, ‘aah’s’, laughter, and tears…. There was not a moment of boredom. A truly wonderful show, everything was on point from start to finish, keeping every single one of us on the edge of our seats. The play is funny, touching, and honest.
7-year-old Mickey (Sean Jones) a grown adult, was superbly acted along with his Blood Brother Eddie (Joe Sleight). I wasn’t so sure how well this would work, but wow! It was so believable. The love and friendship portrayed by both these characters was truly deep and heart-warming. The mother of Mickey and Eddie, Mrs Johnston, (Paula Tappenden) played an outstanding performance of a hard-working mother who continually strives to keep the wolf from the door. It is no walk in the park for her. Her extraordinary performance brought the joy and sadness of her emotions right through to the audience.
Sarah Marsh-Collings (another Bromley Buzzer) accompanied me to the opening night and it absolutely ticked every box for both of us. The audience was thoroughly immersed into every second of the musical production from start to finish. This is what Sarah had to say, ‘Great set, acting superb, accents fab, diction spot on (I hate it when you can understand what they’re singing about in a musical!) very moving. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the final curtain came down. Standing ovation and 4 curtain calls.’ That says it all.
If you haven’t seen Blood Brothers, then don’t wait. I highly recommend see it as it might open your eyes up to a new way of thinking. A truly legendary production that will leave you talking about it all the way home. The Daily Mail said about the show, ‘It brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval.’ It did exactly that with four standing ovations on this opening night!
Playing now at Churchill Theatre, Bromley from Tuesday 28th February – Saturday 4th March. Tickets here.
Zeenat Noorani, 2nd March 2023
Bromley Buzz 