IS Britain’s social class divide now as great as it was when Liverpudlian Willy Russell’ first penned the legendary stage show Blood Brothers in 1981?
I’m not so sure, but the musical touring to Bath’s Theatre Royal still has much to offer and its 14-strong cast thoroughly deserved their standing ovation.
Set in run-down Liverpool between the 1960s and 1980s, the musical is now a modern classic and comes to Bath as part of a UK tour.
This stage production also sees many previous cast members reprising the iconic roles they have made their own to critical acclaim, including X Factor finalist and West End star Niki Colwell Evans as Mrs Johnstone and Sean Jones as Mickey.
Scott Anson also returns as the Narrator after first starring in the musical 20 years ago, while Gemma Brodrick reprises the role of Linda, Joe Sleight plays Eddie, and Timothy Lucas appears as Mickey’s elder brother Sammy.
Willy Russell's legendary musical tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.
The superb score includes many musical classics, including Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True.
The international smash-hit musical tells the captivating and moving story of twins separated at birth who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks only to be reunited by a twist of fate with tragic consequences.
When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children 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 Mrs Lyons - superbly played by Sarah Jane Buckley - which leads inexorably to the show's shattering climax.
Willy Russell’s themes of love, family, social class, wealth and circumstance are as relevant and heart-wrenching today as they were when he wrote the musical. The difference today is that the play now seems full of cliches and stereotypes.
While violence is ever present, superstition and fate, as well as nature v nuture all play key roles in the twins’ tragic story, as Mickey’s and Eddie’s lives unfold.
It isn't all tragedy though; there is plenty of genuine humour in the clever script and songs, particularly in the scenes of childhood and teenage angst.
There are some lovely tender scenes between Mrs Johnstone and her twin sons, between Mickey and Eddie, and between the twins and Linda, the girl who ultimately comes between them.
The audience affection for Blood Brothers endures because it’s also a very human story about love, friendship and the things that can go wrong when the truth isn't told.
The cast is completed by Tim Churchill as Mr Lyons, Graeme Kinniburgh as Postman and Bus Conductor, Chloe Pole as Donna Marie and Miss Jones, Jess Smith as Brenda, Danny Knott as Perkins, Josh Capper as Neighbour and Alex Harland as Policeman and Teacher.
The resident director is Tim Churchill, musical supervision is by Matt Malone, and design, lighting design and sound design is by Andy Walmsley, Nick Richings and Dan Samson respectively.
Blood Brothers appears at the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday, April 13. To book tickets, contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here