Delight in a journey of emotions (From Redditch Advertiser)

Delight in a journey of emotions

11:43pm Thursday 4th March 2010

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Review – Blood Brothers, Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday, March 13, 2010.

THE phenomenon that is Blood Brothers breezed into the county and simply blew its audience away as it took their emotions on its regular roller-coaster of a ride.

It’s been doing this not just up and down this country for 25 years, but right across the world, and thankfully there’s no stopping it. It’s sheer bliss even though it does leave you with a lump in your throat!

This simple tale of twin boys born into an over-populated working class home on Merseyside whose lives, although they were parted at birth, still entwine by coincidence, is beguiling and bewitching.

Mrs Johnstone, played with considerable verve by Lyn Paul, is the mother who, fearing she might be forced to have some of her children taken into care, gives one of them away. From there we go through playground adventures, the stages of growing up, class division and the ultimate highly charged emotional finale.

Many will remember Lyn as one of the voices of that outstanding musical singing group, the New Seekers, and its great to hear that her voice has lost none of its sparkle or power. No wonder theatre impresario Bill Kenwright invited her to star in the London production back in 1997 and she’s been involved on and off ever since when the show has toured the provinces.

A truly outstanding singing talent.

And there’s plenty more talent on show too right through the cast.

Robbie Scotcher is a suitably serious and somewhat menacing narrator, while the overgrown ‘children’ are brilliantly believable. David Cooper (understudy for Mickey) and Daniel Taylor as his big brother Sammy – the one with ‘a plate in his head’ - were both outstanding and provided several humorous highlights as they progressed into adulthood.

The show’s return to Malvern is for two weeks this time round. That’s because so many people were disappointed to be turned away last year as the show sold out..

The extra week ought to mean few, if any, disappointments this time round and certainly no one with a ticket will be disappointed at what’s on offer. Not if the tumultuous standing ovation on review night is anything to go by. Applause that was fully justified and well earned by all, including a top-notch orchestra.

AJW

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