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Brothers go from strength to strength
Blood Brothers Malvern Festival Theatre ***** BLOOD BROTHERS is now in its 28th
phenomenal year. Set in Willy Russell's native Liverpool, it tells the
captivating tale of twin boys, separated at birth only to be re-united
by a twist of fate and a mother's haunting secret. When a show regularly tours there is often the
danger that cracks start to appear as the production values are cut or
the latest cast fail to live up to predecessors.
But Bill Kenwright and Bob Tomson's production
remains fresh and intense and leaves no doubt that the show belongs
among the greats of British musical theatre. Maureen Nolan delivers an outstanding performance
as her return to the role of Mrs Johnstone, She is quite simply
brilliant as she relays a powerful performance exuding emotion and
feeling, ranging seamlessly from warm comedy to the bitter depths of
anguish and despair. Sean Jones, who has played the role of Mickey on tour and in the West End, is flawless as the twin left to grow up with his real mother in a working class environment. Maureen Nolan as Mrs Johnstone with
Sean Jones as her son Mickey Having seen Jones in this role before, he just
seems to improve with every performance and it is hard to imagine this
show without his driving force. However, in this tour, Matthew Collyer
equals his performance playing the more privileged twin Eddie. Craig Price stands menacingly in the shadows as
the Narrator. He moves the story along with his predator like presence
and is the conscience behind the two mothers as this epic story unfolds. Blood Brothers' ability to combine comedy and
tragedy, great songs with a searching examination of both the nature
versus nurture debate and the destructive role of class in British
society strikes a remarkable combination. So, too, is its evocation of
childhood, so brilliantly played by this cast. If you haven't seen it before, make it a
priority. If you have, you will need no further encouragement from me to
see it again with Maureen Nolan in such fine form. This is a musical that continues to demonstrate
what live theatre is all about and this production will continue to
strengthen the shows popularity and ensure it is rightly touring for
many years to come. To 17-03-12 Johanna Brand
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