Blood Brothers wows crowds at Rhyl Pavilion

Sep 2 2008 By Samantha Castle

BLOOD Brothers exploded into life at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl last night.

The musical by playwright Willy Russell is one of the longest running works of musical theatre in history, with the 1988 West End production still running 20 years later.

The play is a gritty nature vs nurture tale revolving around fraternal twins separated at birth. The central role of Mrs Johnstone has been played by a host of famous names over the years including Stephanie Lawrence, Clodagh Rodgers, Kiki Dee and four of the Nolan sisters, and was powerfully portrayed by Glasgow actress Vivienne Carlyle in this touring production.

Other shining lights of the production where local lad Sean Jones from Denbigh with his emotional portrayal of rollercoaster character Mickey. The role of posh twin Eddie was taken on by another home-grown talent, Craig Whiteley from Rhos on Sea. Craig joined the cast of Blood Brothers in the West End and went on to play the part of Eddie in the UK and Ireland tour opposite Linda Nolan in 2000.

The musical deals with how a difference in class can make a big difference, how two babies brought into the world by the same parents can lead two very different lives and be two very different people. “And do we blame superstition for what's come to pass, or is it what we the English have come to know as class?” questioned the Narrator as the curtains closed after a rousing rendition of tearjerker Tell Me It's Not True.

Willy Russell spent the whole of 1982 turning the small scale production of Blood Brothers into a full scale musical, revising the book, writing the lyrics and composing all the music himself. From its hugely successful Liverpool production it transferred to the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, where it became the musical hit of the season, winning three awards.

Blood Brothers continues to draw the crowds across the globe from Broadway to Australia and has become one of the longest running musicals in the West End. The production has now passed its 21st year and has developed a cult following.

Blood Brothers opened on Monday and runs until Saturday. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01745 330000.