"Blood Brothers" by Willy Russell.

Derby Theatre.

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that this is my Number One all-time favourite musical. It ought to be law that anyone who is a fan of great theatre, especially musical theatre needs to see this show, and it always comes as a surprise to me when talking to people that they have not seen "Blood Brothers". Anyway for anyone who hasn't experienced this legendary musical theatre great, here's the story.....

"Blood Brothers" is about Mrs Johnstone and her ever growing brood of children. She is a one parent family who is struggling to make ends meet after her husband leaves her for a younger woman who looks like Marilyn Monroe. Before he leaves though she finds herself in the family way again, but this time it’s twins! She takes a cleaning job for a well to do couple to try and make ends meet, but the only way that she and her family are going to stand any chance of doing this is to sell one of the new born twins.

What a devastating decision for any mother to have to make but she has to think of her other children. The woman that she is currently cleaning for, Mrs Lyons, has always wanted a baby, but so far has failed, well you can see where this is going from here can’t you?

The brothers, Mickey and Eddie, are separated but fate steps in and they unwittingly meet as children and forge a strong friendship, becoming blood brothers. Mrs Lyons gets more worried about Eddie’s friendship with Mickey and moves her family to the country, but again fate steps in and, even though the brothers grow up in different worlds, that bond is strong and blood is thicker than water, right to the end……

What I love about this musical is that you have a musical of two halves. The first Act is bright, uplifting, funny and heart-warming but come Act Two and that all changes as we see a darker side of their downward spiralling life, and even after seeing this wonderful; musical so many times, that opening of “Tell Me It’s Not True” still gets the hair on my arms and back of the neck standing up.

Vivienne Carlyle plays Mrs Johnstone. This is the first time that I have seen Vivienne play this iconic woman, and follows in the massive footsteps of women like Lyn Paul, Linda Nolan, Maureen Nolan and Mel C, all excellent actors, and Vivienne is absolutely no different as the baton is passed on. A powerhouse of a role for any actor to take on, due to the emotional commitment required, especially in the final number. 

The role is incredibly emotional and powerful and Vivienne retains everything that we have come to know and love about Mrs Johnstone. Her voice is so expressive at all ends of the scale. Vivienne's voice has a more classical feel and sound to it, even with the Liverpool accent. Viv has the comedy element down pat, but she knows how to pull at your heart strings as well. Even after seeing this musical as many times as I have, that ending still gets me every single time. 

Much of the cast has not changed over the years and this shows that the producers and directors have so much faith in these actors to give incredible performances. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Sean Jones is Mickey. As far as I can remember I have seen Sean in this role almost every time that I have seen this show and for me, he is Mickey, I can’t envisage anyone else playing this character in the same way as Sean does

As always, his performance is great fun to watch as the seven - nearly eight year old. In comparison, as adult Mickey, he creates an aura of a very different kind, and he still evokes that nervousness in me, even though I know this musical so well, he still makes me believe in the role.

Joe Sleight takes the role of Eddie. Joe gives a wonderful child-like quality to the role in Act One and a more mature performance as an adult Eddie in Act Two. Again, it's wonderful to see, and hear the change from a seven-year-old to a local Housing Councillor, making the time change absolutely believable. The costumes for both Mickey and Eddie also make this credible as they grow out of shorts and jumpers into work clothes. I've not seen Joe before but he has a voice that is very easy on the ear, which also harmonises beautifully with the duets he gets to sing.

James Ledsham plays Mickey's big bullying brother Sammy. This is the first time that I've seen James, not only in this, but in anything on stage, as far as I remember. He plays the bully really well and love it when his mam brings him down to earth by the raising of her voice. A fun role that involves worms, kept in a place where worms should not be kept, demanding sweets with threats and the ability to gob at distance with accuracy. As with all these kids roles, the actors must have great fun regressing to childhood naughtiness. They must also relish the challenge to move their characters on into adulthood for the more dramatic scenes.

Gemma Brodrick is Mickey's eventual girlfriend Linda, who he marries down the line. Her transformation from fourteen year old schoolgirl into a beautiful wife and expectant mother is quite magical. Gemma is another new name but what a performance, especially when everything gets to much for her when Mickey comes out of jail. She really makes you feel like giving Linda a hug when she is at a complete loose end as to what to do, and there's really only one person she can turn to for help and advice.

Sarah Jane Buckley as the "always looking over her shoulder" paranoid Mrs Lyons, and Tim Churchill is the business-driven husband, Mr Lyons who will do anything for an easy married life. Both reprising their parts. Both wonderful character actors, and I have said this before in my reviews, Sarah's voice is one that I could listen to all night. Her duet with Vivienne, "My Child" is just one of many emotive, and beautifully sung musical pieces in this soundtrack.

Sean Keany is the all important Narrator, adding that touch of menace, as if the devil had their number and was watching over the families. A vital role in this musical who applies the glue to the storylines, sprinkling a supernatural unease whenever he appears. A dark character that often haunts the background like a circling shark, creating tension and atmosphere. The "Devil" that can only be seen by the paranoid Mrs Lyons, whose number he certainly has!

Cameron Patmore plays Perkins, the know-all pupil who gets his knuckles rapped in the desk in one of the school, scenes.

Alex Harland is the Policeman, who shows the different ways that the law deal with the different classes.

Jess Smith plays Brenda, Linda's friend.

Chloe Pole doubles up as Donna-Marie and Miss Jones, who has the unenviable task of typing out the redundancy letters to Mickey and the rest of the workforce, as well as her own!

Graeme Kinniburgh is the Bus Conductor and Postman.

Dominic Gore is the Neighbour.

Co Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, the pace and presentation is perfect.

The songs in this show, for me anyway, are just brilliant. From the playful “Kids’s Games” to the optimistic “Bright New Day”, the jazzy "Long Sunday Afternoon", the wistful “Marilyn Monroe” to the iconic “Tell Me It’s Not True”, which on it’s own, played on the radio is a beautiful ballad. In the context of this musical it is highly emotional. Willy Russell who is a great playwright also wrote the score for this musical. Musical Supervisor for this show is Matt Malone.

Derby Theatre has great acoustics and the music sounds so good in this venue, the reverberation bouncing around the auditorium. A wonderful job by Sound Designer Dan Samson.

The lighting design, by Nick Richings, is also one of the most technical for this musical, and the timings of such has to be spot on, which they all were.

The set, designed by Andy Walmsley, doesn't really change but is as iconic as the musical itself.

This story of brotherhood, motherhood, friendship, love, superstition, jealousy and depression will always be relevant, and as long as the emotional element remains as high as it has over the last few decades, this musical will remain one of the best loved pieces of musical theatre.

Go and see this if you've never seen it before, and if you have seen it before, go and see it again, and take your hanky, you'll need it! Still, in my humble opinion, the best musical running.

The wonderful “Blood Brothers” is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 18 January.