Blood Brothers

BLOOD BROTHERS

18-22 November

Press Night: 18.11.2025

The Lowry - Lyric Theatre

Curtain Up: 19:30

Curtain Down: 22:25

‘A STORY ABOUT THE CLASSES - PROVES TO STILL BE A CLASS ACT’

‘BLOOD BROTHERS IS S CLASS ACT’

‘CLASSIC. MOVING. DRAMATIC'

‘RELATABLE. FUNNY. UNDENIABLY SCOUSE. BLOOD BROTHERS STILL PACKS A PUNCH’

‘IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE MANCHESTER THEATRICAL SAW A MORE DESERVED 4 STANDING OVATIONS’

Have you heard the story of the story of the Johnstone twins? Last night we attended the Press Night for Willy Russell’s Classic tale of the class system / family tragedy. Hard to believe this show is x40 years old.

Blood Brothers is a stalwart musical favourite for many. I remember seeing it for the first time in London at the Phoenix Theatre in 1994 and have loved it and seen it many times.

Willy Russell’s Blood brothers is the story of twin boys. Their mother Mrs Johnstone struggles to make ends meet with seven children. She gets a new job and thinks she can just about cope with the seven and the other one on the way, only to find it’s twins. Thankfully Mrs Lyon’s had an idea that will solve both their problems.

The twin’s grow up with different mother but their paths keep interweaving throughout their lives no matter how much others try to keep them parted.

The theatre was full to the rafters with countless school/college groups and generations of families. We were sat next to a lady who brought her friend to see the show for the 1st time. I asked her to describe the show in one word. She chose ‘Biblical’. There were tears, laughter and joy felt all along our row. This show has a pull that is rare. Of course, Mr Russell’s work often lifts audiences with really great comedic one liners but he has the ability to drop you quickly and the stories bring you crashing to the ground with heavy tinged sadness. I’ve always loved that about his work. I wrote to him at his Canning St office back in 1998 while studying his work at university. To my amazement he wrote back and gave me sound advice. I was fortunate to shake his hand earlier this year at the Liverpool Everyman’s press night for the 40th Anniversary of Shirley Valentine.

Our Mrs Johnstone - VIVIENNE CARLYLE belting out her power numbers - EASY TERMS, BRIGHT NEW DAY, TELL ME IT’S NOT TRUE. No complaints. Pitch perfect and she pulls at your heart strings. Hard to believe she’s Scottish and not Scouse.

Now - we turn the spotlight on SEAN JONES - Mickey the 1st of our twins. A spotlight that has shone for x24 years of him playing the same role. A quality actor that displays his full range with - dare I say - SWEAT. TEARS & - Er - BLOOD! We have seen him in the role years ago. He still has an immense passion for the role which is genuinely a pleasure. A perfect acting masterclass of monumental proportions. We met him tonight and expressed how amazing it must be to own the role whole heartedly. To still get that incredible response night after night & for him to perform like it was opening night

His Blood Brother - JOE SLIGHT as Eddie produced an equally memorable performance offering us tender moments between GEMMA BRODRICK - Lovestruck Linda. Her performance was spot on.

We believe strongly that sometimes re-working a piece could bring much needed new life. The heavy synthesiser and dramatic moments of Blood Brothers work to a point. It does feel a bit like the ‘duff-duffs’ at the end of a scene in Eastenders. The styling and drama feel’s very rooted in the 80’s. Somehow stuck in the 80’s. The theme of family struggles, people out of work, not affording to live / cost of living struck a chord with some in today’s current climate. It left us pondering….. The work is so current in many ways - this would be the perfect show to have a modern over-haul. Bring the music up to date. I know this won’t sit well with some - but it’s a genuine reaction to the atmosphere/vibe from many we spoke to on the night.

A Fabulous classic that could work really well with an update.

Book now via below:

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/blood-brothers-m1hx