Review: Blood Brothers at the Sunderland Empire

Willie Russell’s world renowned musical Blood Brothers visits the Sunderland Empire this week, running from 17th March to 21st March. Since its debut at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983 it has been a fan favourite, running in London’s West End for over 24 years and touring the country numerous times. It includes iconic heartfelt songs such as Marilyn Monroe and Tell Me It’s Not True.

The show follows the story of twin brothers separated at birth, one brother (Micky played by Sean Jones) was raised with his birth mother and seven older siblings in a council estate while the other twin (Eddie played by Joe Sleight) is raised in luxury by the woman who Mrs Johnstone used to clean for, that had been struggling with fertility for many years. Both boys were completely unaware of the other’s existence until they met aged seven and quickly became best friends, making a pact of being Blood Brothers due to the ‘coincidence’ of them having the same birthday.

As the boys get closer the mothers realise that they have befriended their secret twin, leading to Mrs Lyons becoming paranoid and subsequently moving away to the countryside to escape. A couple of years down the line Mrs Johnstone and her family are relocated to the countryside as their current estate is being demolished, leading to the boys meeting again, and now they both have an interest in their childhood friend, Linda. The older the boys get the more their upbringing effects their life and friendship, while Eddie moves away to University, Mickey is in full time employment, trapped in a job he doesn’t like to fund his young family. Mickey gets desperate and turns to his rebellious brother Sammy to try and make some quick cash, which ends up with him facing time inside.

Mickey isn’t the same once he comes out of prison seven years later, surviving off of antidepressants to make it through the day which takes its toll on his relationship, leading to his wife Lynda running into Eddie’s arms for support, who is now a local councillor. The show continues to build drama up until the truth is revealed to the boys and everything unravels leaving the family in tatters.

There is a constant theme of superstition throughout the show, starting with Mrs Lyons (Laura Harrison) putting new shoes on the table, mentions of the ‘Bogey Man’ to deter the brothers from playing together and mentions of lone magpies bringing sorrow.

Vivienne Carlyle, who plays Mrs Johnstone has my utmost respect for her incredible portrayal of the character and her hauntingly emotional rendition of Tell Me It’s Not True. Having played Mrs Johnstone in the shows West End production, Carlyle knows the character inside out and it it is noticeable in her interpretation of the role.

Both Jones and Sleight have continued in the roles of Mickey and Eddie and they embodied the brothers perfectly, seamlessly transitioning from the childlike wonder and mischief displayed in the first half to the emotional turmoil Mickey finds himself in at the end of the play and the maturity and intelligence Eddie has as a well respected man.

The production team did a fantastic job, directors Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, the lighting designer Nick Richings and sound designer Dan Samson have produced a spectacle that you need to see. It was a brilliant performance from a talented cast and crew and remains one of the best classic musicals to see.

Blood Brothers is a personal favourite of mine, having first seen it when I was 12 and the final number still gets me emotional now. This musical does carry a heavier message than most other shows I’ve seen but that is what makes it so appealing. It has incredible hilarious highs but dark lows too and the balance between the two is excellent.

If you are ready to hear the story of the Johnstone twins, as like each other as two new pins,  be sure to book your tickets from ATG tickets, as Blood Brothers is only at the Sunderland Empire until 21st March.