Review and pics: Blood Brothers, Birmingham Hippodrome
Musicals for me are like novels, once I've seen it or read it, that's it. It's a rare occasion when I am driven to revisit the experience and re-read a book or sit through a musical for a second time.
But Blood Brothers is exactly one of those occasions. Once just isn't enough.
This is the second time I've seen it, and if I was impressed the first time, the second blew me away.
It's the simplest story - that of twin brothers split at birth, with one given away to a well-to-do family, and how their lives pan out as they grow up in different social classes - but it's brilliantly told, taking the audience from side-splitting laughter to flowing tears and back again.
The first half is hilarious, thanks to some great comic timing from many characters, but mostly due to the portrayal of seven, no nearly eight-year-old, Mickey Johnstone by the fantastic Sean Jones. With a cheeky grin and infectious sense of mischief, he plays the role convincingly and has the audience in his hand from the outset.
Later, his portrayal of a broken man, driven to desperate measures by poverty and medication, is equally convincing as he shuffles and mumbles his way through the scenes. Again, the audience is with him every step of the way.
Joel Benedict as Eddie, his long-lost twin brother, was also in fine form as the twin who has grown up at the opposite end of the social spectrum, but still having plenty in common. Danielle Corlass as Linda, Mickey's long suffering girlfriend then wife, also appears to grow up before our very eyes, and was outstanding.
And Dean Chisnall as the narrator was in excellent voice, with his foreboding presence giving a sinister undertone to the apparently straightforward action on stage.
The scenery is effective, but it is the drama and emotion of the the musical score that sets the scene more effectively than any wooden structure could.
For me the outstanding highlight of the show, was Lyn Paul in the role of Mrs Johnstone.
Paul has been voted the definitive Mrs Johnstone in the past and it's easy to see why. Her voice is superb, with every word as clear as a bell and a plaintive tone that alone moved many of the audience members to tears, regardless of anything else going on on stage. Her vocals can be heard soaring above the other cast members' voices, particularly in the final heart-rending song Tell Me It's Not True, without losing any clarity or emotion. She looked physically drained as the audience gave a richly-deserved a standing ovation.
At this rate, I might even see it a third time.
Runs until Saturday, October 22.
By Sally-Anne Youll
