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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Same tale - different tune
Cast and crew of Blood Brothers Blood Brothers - the play The Grange Players Grange Playhouse, Walsall **** MANY people attending this play for the
first time must wonder how it compares with the famous Willy Russell
musical, but they needn't worry. There is only one song, when hard-pressed mother
Mrs Johnstone, accompanied by a guitarist, introduces the action with
those references to Marilyn Monroe and how her husband walked out when
she became pregnant for the umpteenth time. But all the drama, humour and in the end,
tragedy, is still there, with a fine cast doing the story justice. The
final shoot-out is superbly handled. Sam Allan is totally convincing as
mother-of-seven Mrs Johnstone who is talked into giving away one of the
twins she is expecting, although reluctant to hand over the baby to
wealthy Mrs Lyons who can't conceive. She earns some desperately needed cash as cleaner
for Mrs Lyons, but loses that 'lifeline' when her employer fears she is
paying too much attention to the give-away child. Christina Peak excels in the role of Mrs Lyons,
perfectly delivering the woman's range of emotions, from joy at having a
child at last, to anger and despair when the brothers meet up as
seven-year-olds and become unlikely pals and 'blood brothers', despite
the obvious class divide. Fine performances, too, from Robert Newton as the
scruffy Mickey, and Adam Worton, the posh Eddie, who both fall for the
same girl, Linda, played with bundles of enthusiasm by Natalie Webster,
which triggers the tragic finale. As the boys grow up, Mickey lands a tedious job
putting cardboard boxes together, becomes redundant and popping pills to
cope with depression, while Eddie lives the good life and enjoys a
university education before becoming a company director and councillor. When Mickey, now married to Linda, discovers that
his escape from the dole queue has actually been arranged by Eddie who
has been seen dining out with his wife, his anger becomes lethal, their
old friendship forgotten. David Thane is the suitably menacing Narrator who
prowls the stage and warns that tragedy could be round the corner should
the boys ever learn they were parted at birth, and there are solid
contributions from Christopher Waters (policeman and teacher), and Aaron
Armstrong-Craddock (milkman, gynaecologist and policeman). The set is very similar to the one used in the
musical, except that the name 'Liverpool FC' is more prominent than Bill
Kenwright's Everton amongst the graffiti on the wall! Was a Reds fan
responsible for that? Other changes include the absence of Mickey's
thuggish older brother, Sammy, Mrs Lyons' husband, and the prison
scene.. Directed by Rachel Waters and produced by Robert
Onions, the play runs to 25.05.13 Paul Marston |
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