Review: Blood Brothers, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Considered to be one of the best musicals ever written, Blood Brothers, written by renowned playwright Willy Russell has triumphed across the Globe. Scooping up no fewer than four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Blood Brothers is simply unmissable and unbeatable.

For something that started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in the 1980, it’s remarkable how it still bears relevancy to this very day. There are hints of a recession, a cost of living crisis, all of which is relatable to the times we find ourselves in.

Following on from its debut in 1981 Blood Brothers soon made its way to Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. It has since completed sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan and ran in London’s West End for 24 years, exceeding 10,000 performances. One of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story, here’s a round up of what to expect…

This epic tale, Blood Brothers, tells the extremely moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. There are a few stand out scenes, backed up with the memorable score including A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe (something echoed throughout) and  hit Tell Me It’s Not True, one that really pulls at the heart strings.

The story begins when Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children. In order to do so,  she takes a job as a housekeeper to make ends meet.

It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom, although that’s where it ultimately leads to. There are elements of the the first and second act, which are rather comical, especially with Mickey’s older brother Sammy (Timothy Lucas). There are also moments of joy when the couple (which I won’t say who) get hitched and dreams seem to be coming true, for some at least.

It’s only when audiences return for the second half does the amalgamation of a two families’ lies come to fruition. It’s an incredibly moving moment as the auditorium falls silent at their realisation that the two boys, who grew up on opposite sides of the tracks are in fact related. Sadly, it’s too late by this point.

Be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions though, there are few musicals that will have you reaching for tissues the moment and laughing at the next. The room does get quite emotionally charged and there were a few audience members with streaming eyes. However, you can see it isn’t only the audience feeling it, former X Factor finalist  Niki Evans (Mrs Johnstone) was practically wiping away the tears at the end, and it’s that conveyance of powerful raw emotion that really sets the room off.

Starring alongside Niki is an extremely talented cast, including Mickey, Josh Capper (as opposed to Sean Jones, as pictured). Playing the other half, his twin brother Eddie, Jay Worley, a former student of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

The narrator, Richard Munday, plays a starring role as well. Richard from South Wales is also no stranger to the big stage with a host of West End and UK touring titles under his belt. He also played Mickey in Blood Brothers (in the West End), so he knows the story well. The snap of his powerful vocals startle you at times, and strays between narrator of the story to internal dialogue of the characters i.e. the voice in your head. He is the one you’ll love to hate.

The rest of the cast for Blood Brothers includes Grace Galloway, Tim Churchill, Melissa Potts, Carly Burns, Jacob Yolland, Andy Owens, Timothy Lucas, Nick Wilkes and Connor Bannister.