Now in its nineteenth year, 'Blood Brothers' sounds its age. It's packed with unconvincing synth strings, the voices reverb like King Kong's bathroom and the forced drama with which the more emotional numbers are served up adds to the over-blown '80s feel. Yet Russell's tale of Merseyside twins separated at birth has much to recommend it. Russell populates this gently political show with familiar social types. Posh Eddie and common Mickey become friends despite growing up on different sides of the tracks, yet the curse of class proves inescapable. The show has two great tunes, one decent one and lots that are instantly forgettable. But its remains astonishingly lively.

23 comments
i came from melbourne australia and my brother took me to see blood brothers,,,i loved it and would of watched it again and again,,,,its been my favourite show ive seen in a long time,,,well done,,,you all are amazing and was howling at the end
hey im 15 years old and that may make you think i do not know anything about the plot or the idealism of the play blood brothers but i loved it and i understood it completely. I was transfixed by the narrator who had the qualikty that just made you sit and watch him alot even if he was not saying anything. I am privilged to have been to see the play and if i had the chance i would go and see it again. thanks for a great night and thanks to the hard working cast behind the play. xx
I first saw Blood Brothers almost a decade ago, and I have returned multiple times for evenings of theatre that have always been emotional and moving. If you haven't seen Blood Brothers yet, you absolutely MUST see it. VERY highly recommended!
Does Timeout really find the mental imagery of airborne feces-tossing simians so repulsive? Even more repulsive than wicked? Shame on you and your feigned objectivity.
Timeout needs to grow some “tomatoes” and re-post my review of wicked. Your Gestapo tactics do not bode well for free speech.
disappointedly,
Timothy Winey
Well I'm a 15 year old girl and i am taking Drama/Theatre and Arts as a GCSE and part of my GCSE is based on this show. I went with my school on Friday the 29th February 2008. And all I can say is that it was amazing. I would definately go again, the actors and actresses could really control the audience i could not take my eyes off the stage one minute i was laughing the next i was crying. They really portrayed the characters well. I enjoyed every second of it. I definately recommend to go see it.
Well, I have been privileged enough to see many musical in my life. To name a few; Wicked, Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe, Mary Poppins and unfortunately Blood Brothers.
From all of the fantastic things i have heard about this suposedly 'stunning' musical, I was greatly disappointed. An un convincing, laughable experience. Ironic that the last, most emotional scene (Twins death) was funny. The majority of the audience laughed out loud at this point (including myself).
Never again, i would strongly advise 'Les Mis', Billy Elliot or Wicked.
Dear Jonathan: Wicked is pathetic in any genre. If you need something of such transparently low quality to escape to, you have my sympathies. I’m stunned that you could interpret my review as childish. I suggest you re-read it with a thesaurus at hand. My guess is that you are trying very hard to rationalize the amount of money you flushed on your ticket. Perhaps that is the escapism you seek? If I’m wrong, and you sincerely enjoyed Wicked, then all I can say is, there is a market for everyone. Perhaps Teletubbies, the musical would be a show you’d enjoy also?
Sincerely,
Timothy Winey
Gosh, I just stumbled across this page and am absolutely shocked by Timothy Winey's childish critism of wicked.
Some people like to read science fiction. Other people like to read classics. I dislike classic literature but that does not make them bad and it does not make them inferior to science fiction novels, it is just my preferred taste.
It is exactly the same with the whole 'wicked vs. blood brothers'. Having never personally seen Blood Brothers I cannot comment on how amazing the staging is but I now from clips and press reports that it is an amazing show. For me however, i like to go to the theatre for escapism and not to be brought to tears by a tragic story.
Different people have different tastes. Grow up Timothy.
BLOODY BRILLIANT!
I just recently again saw Blood Brothers for the 20th time in 3 years. It is beyond a doubt the best musical of our time. It is breath taking, funny, upsetting yet extremely enjoyable. I have seen at least 7 other musicals on broadway and the only one that comes close to comparing is Wicked, yet that is still no where near as spectacular.
One thing I found recently, was that I do prefer the Nolan sister playing Mrs Johnston, although Helen Hobson is still sensational.
To me, the lead role is definately taken by the narrator. Every show I have been to he has performed amazingly with such drive and emotion. He is the driving force of the whole musical and is one of the best actors i have come across.
This is definately the best show anyone, of any age, could enjoy.
A real 50/10, *****stars
ps. the narrator's voice was HOT...
Great performance, the cast dazzed me, and friends and i have said annuly we will see blood brothers together. thankyou so much.xx
wow... i saw this yestreday with my school and i was gobsmacked at how brilliant it was! the cast were fabulous and i loved every minute of the performance. are real edge of your sesat performance
I had been wanting to see "Blood Brothers" since hearing Petula Clark sing "Tell me Its Not True" in concert many years ago. (Petula played Mrs Johnstone off Broadway and on US tour with David and Sean Cassidy as the twins). I also own the Kiki Dee cast recording from the 1980s.
What a great musical this is - it hasnt dated, merely retains a tight historical context. Helen Hobson was outstanding, as were the entire ensemble cast, especially "Eddie" and "Mrs. Lyons". The vulture-like omnipresence of the narrator was both threatening and eerily frightening. It is pointless to say there are only a couple of memorable tunes. Yes - there are two outstanding numbers, but the whole momentum of the show is carried by the repetitive musical themes - this isnt meant to be a show of hit tunes, it is a journey.
Even so, the finale of "Tell Me Its Not True" is one of the most powerful moments in musical theatre, and one which Helen Hobson seizes beautifully. See this show! Then see it again!