BLOOD BROTHERS

Book, Music and Lyrics by Willy Russell

The Lyceum Theatre Sheffield, 22^nd Jan – 3^rd Feb

Review by Paul Tyree, www.paultyree.co.uk

From Liverpool via the West End, Broadway and now sunny Sheffield plays host to Willy Russell's legendary 'Blood Brothers'. This being the 20^th anniversary of its birth there are probably few epithets left to adequately describe a production like this. Twenty years has seen many changes, not only in Liverpool, but also in Britain's consciousness. Gone are the days when the problems of mass unemployment and the class divide would inspire a generation of writers like Russell and Bleasdale and you would think that shift might mean that works of art such as 'Blood Brothers' would lose some of their power.

Happily, like a good Shakespeare, age does not wither this rarest of flowers. A musical that has more than a Disney view of the world, which brings us real characters, comedy and real tragedy to boot.  

For those who haven't seen it the plot revolves around two twins called Mickey and Eddie who are separated at birth unaware of the others existence and yet they go on to become the best of friends.

In these roles Craig Whitely and Stephen Palfreman especially are the heart of the play. Without some sort of identification with their characters the audience would be lost. Luckily they are both well cast and form an easy rapport. Stephen Palfreman as Mickey has the most opportunities to appeal and does so with a rare depth.

Linda Nolan as the boys mother is also a revelation. She displays a fine pair of chops, as they say, and really relishes the part of the twins mother in a way that makes you think the play is really more about her than anyone else.

Louise Clayton is also very charming and real playing the love interest of the two brothers and it is obvious that many of the players have played in 'Blood Brothers' before, so polished and professional a production this is.

Funnily enough, as one in the know, I realise that a lot of the off the cuff interplay and spontaneous fun is actually very precisely rehearsed, but unlike another musical I reviewed called Joseph and some coat or other, the action here is still fresh and seems as in the moment as is humanly possible. This is a great testament to the actors and everyone involved in this production.

In fact everything about this production smacks of the best of musical theatre. The singing is always clear as a bell, the acting moment by moment and the energy always high. In fact it's probably one of the best touring productions I've ever had the pleasure of seeing at the Lyceum.

If only it was always like this.