Although Blood Brothers has toured the world, it was a first for Oxford Playhouse and for us. But after so long on the road could the mammoth musical and epic saga, retain its magic?
Absolutely! In fact, it was one of the most mesmerising and enthralling shows we’ve ever seen, producer Bill Kenwright and writer Willy Russell still managing to hold an audience in the palm of their hand after all these years.
Not only was Blood Brothers spellbinding, but it was funny, scary, terrifying, sad, bawdy and joyful, all at the same time.
‘MICKEY WAS PLAYED BY UNDERSTUDY JOSH CAPPER (COVERING FOR SEAN JONES), WHOSE VOICE LITERALLY TOOK OUR BREATH AWAY‘
Most people know the story line – two brothers, separated at birth, are brought up on different sides of the tracks and inevitably meet. As their lives become inexplicably entwined, so their fates are sealed with tragic consequences.
And while the sense of foreboding was overwhelming, despite such a palpable sense of inevitability (no spoilers here) the ending was still shocking – in terms of the jump scare factor, we shot out of our seats like bullets.
‘IN TERMS OF THE JUMP SCARE FACTOR, WE SHOT OUT OF OUR SEATS LIKE BULLETS‘
Throw in some extensive sobbing, (the entire audience was weeping by the end), and a well deserved standing ovation, and it gives you an insight into this emotional roller-coaster.
The singing was off the scale – both the solos and group numbers stand out moments being anything sung by Niki Colwell Evans who absolutely stole the show as Mrs Johnstone. READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH HER HERE
Mickey was played by understudy Josh Capper, (covering for Sean Jones), and his voice literally took our breath away.
if you want an unforgettable night out at the theatre, which gets your pulse racing,then Blood Brothers is a must
The narrator, Danny Whitehead, who sang throughout, was also exceptional.
As for seeing Blood Brothers up close and personal, rather than in the much bigger theatres where it tends to run, the intimacy of Oxford Playhouse only enhanced the drama.
‘the intimacy of the Oxford Playhouse only enhanced the drama’
So yes, if you want an unforgettable night at the theatre which really gets your pulse racing then Blood Brothers is a must!
Bea Payne
Blood Brothers is at Oxford Playhouse until Saturday September 16. Book here https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/blood-brothers
