Blood Brothers at Malvern Theatres - Review

Blood Brothers at Malvern Theatres - Review

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Posted 2022-03-03 by Alison Brinkworthfollow

Tue 01 Mar 2022 - Sat 05 Mar 2022

Prepare to be blown away this week as Willy Russell's Blood Brothers storms onto the stage at Malvern Theatres in a whirlwind of raw emotion and thunderous applause.

"The devil's got your number," growls the narrator (Robbie Scotcher), whose ominous presence throughout this incredible story about superstition and class, has the audience transfixed.

Scotcher's performance is powerful and captivating as we follow the journey of twin boys separated at birth to their inevitable demise. Mickey (Sean Jones) and Eddie (Joel Benedict) are brought up in two very different households as their birth mother Mrs Johnstone, played by former X Factor finalist Niki Evans, makes the terrible decision to give one twin away to her rich barren employer Mrs Lyons (Paula Tappenden).

Evans is captivating throughout, guiding the audience on an emotional ride with a stellar performance, strong vocals bursting with feeling throughout the highs and the lows of living on the breadline.



Set in Liverpool in the 1960s, Mickey is brought up with his seven older siblings, single-handedly by a struggling Mrs Johnstone and believes his twin to be up in heaven. Despite the efforts to keep the brothers apart, the two boys become best of friends and "blood brothers" aged seven as they get up to mischief growing into teenagers and falling in love with the same girl Linda (Carly Burns).

Mickey and Eddie's paths keep crossing even when they both move to the country but bad influences and circumstances, encouraged by older brother Sammy, (Daniel Taylor) mean that a wedding and family don't spell out a happy ending. The policeman (Nick Wilkes) tries his best to keep the peace but to no avail.

Interestingly, Wilkes used to work at Malvern Theatres as a front-of-house manager and was the first Writer in Residence at Malvern Theatres since George Bernard Shaw. As well as a policeman, we were also treated to his humorous characters in the shape of a rather excitable judge, headmaster and teacher too.'Marilyn Monroe', 'Shoes Upon the Table' and 'Tell Me It's Not True' make up the passionate score and the dramatic storyline leaving no doubt that this musical is a must-see worthy of every standing ovation it has ever received.



It is no wonder Bill Kenwright's production has achieved over 10,000 performances in the West End. There was not a dry eye in the auditorium as the actors and audience overcome with emotion rose to their feet. A memorable, emotional, rollercoaster of a musical that certainly packs a meaty punch that will always leave me wanting more.

I saw Blood Brothers for the very first time three years ago at Malvern and was definitely not disappointed to see Robbie Scotcher as ruthless as ever with such an incredible voice. The whole cast was spectacular and I can't wait to see it again and again. "So, did y'hear the story of the Johnstone twins?"

There are still tickets available for this incredible nearly sold out musical at Malvern Theatres until Saturday March 5th, available from the Box Office 01684 892277 or online at Malvern-theatres.co.uk

RATING: & #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;

#theatre
#shows
#performing_arts
#musicals
#theatre -reviews
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#west_midlands
#march
!date 01/03/2022 -- 05/03/2022
%wnbirmingham
70626 - 2023-01-26 01:48:14

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