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Blood Brothers MK Theatre

Any musical that lasts over 40 years has to be good and Willy Russell's Blood Brothers isn’t just good but rightly revered as one of the best theatre productions of all time. 


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From the first minute to the last few seconds, this new show is emotionally captivating.

The story is about twin brothers soon separated after birth that creates them to lead two totally different lives. Their lives are at opposite ends of the social scale, one living with wealthy parents and the other in poverty.


Occasionally their lives cross and they become close friends and make a blood brother pact when they find they are born on the same day. In their teens the story tells their life growing up and then they both fall in love with the same girl and tragedy strikes.


Armed with Willy Russell’s superb script, the plot is full of scouse wit, genuine warmth yet cleverly poignant on society’s social indifferences that were prevalent when originally written and sadly still so today.


One of the best traits about this remarkable show is how it cleverly emotionally pulls you in so many different directions. The songs perfectly fit the narrative and enhance the drama. Not an easy thing to do as I have witnessed too many musicals that place songs either as fillers or just an excuse to use a well- known tune that has nothing to do with the plot.


What this current production proves is that a story of brotherhood, motherhood, friendship, love, superstition, jealousy and depression will always be relevant. In a word, timeless.


However, I have to say that I found the adult cast playing the parts of 7 year old children and teenagers a very difficult watch. It just looked daft and somewhat embarrassing.  Yes, I accept theatre has always stretched the imagination, but it just didn’t work.


The other minor criticism is some of the play’s humour has become dated and the length of the production is too long.  To respect the brilliance of Russell’s script, that’s a bit like asking Paul McCartney to shorten Hey Jude, but if Blood Brothers is to continue in the Millenium, I do feel it will have to adapt.


On a more positive note, the entire cast, lights and tech are on a West End level and the brilliant live band played faultlessly throughout the show.

It is a great example of a cohesive and collective production and thoroughly deserved the standing ovation given by the audience.


If you haven’t seen it, you should. 


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