Blood Brothers
Phoenix Theatre
Synopsis
A compelling show with an interesting success story, this is Willy Russell’s blockbusting smash hit Blood Brothers, which continues its reign of success at the Phoenix Theatre in London, where it regularly attracts a large audience and thunderous applause.
The story behind Blood Brothers takes us back to the 1980s, when a younger Willy Russell put pen to paper for an original production. The writer of classics such as Educating Rita had an idea he felt suitable for a school play, but as work progressed he realised that this could be a full stage musical. The result was a world premiere at the Liverpool Playhouse, but there was still a lot of work to be done before a West End hit would be born.
The Liverpool production was met with a moderate reviews and it did nothing to attract the audiences when it opened in the West End in the mid 1980s. It seemed that another musical production would leave the stage and be forgotten forever – that is until a certain theatre producer called Bill Kenwright came along. Convinced of the power of Blood Brothers he resurrected it for the stage, sending it on a successful UK national tour before opening it at the Albery Theatre in London. This time around, the audience numbers were more than enough and it has since developed a cult following of eager fans, who flock to its current home of the Phoenix Theatre to enjoy the magic.
The story of Blood Brothers concerns two siblings by the names of Mickey and Eddie who are unaware that they are related. Their mother Mrs Johnstone, a poor single parent, was forced to give one of them away as a child as she could not afford to raise twin boys and so one of them grows up with the wealthy Mrs Lyons, her employer. It means that whilst one of them grows up in poverty, fighting his way through the dole and prison, the other enjoys a more comfortable life attending an Oxbridge University and landing a successful job. The pair know one another and as children they decided on becoming ‘blood brothers’ when they realised they have the same birthday, but Johnstone and Lyons have worked hard to keep them apart. As their lives progress, resentment and desperation lead to a confrontation on a dark Liverpool street.
Praised by critics for its compelling look at class struggle in the 1960s and 1970s, Blood Brothers is an unmissable stage experience featuring songs such as Marilyn Monroe, Shoes Upon The Table, The Devil’s Got Your Number and I’m Not Saying A Word. With a talented cast (that has featured the likes of Mel C and The Nolan Sisters in the past), it is a show that will stay with you for a long time.
Blood Brothers continues at the Phoenix Theatre.
Discounted Tickets
Valid Wedneday matinees until the 19th October
Valid all performances except Saturday Evening
Valid 24th to the 28th October
Venue Information
Phoenix Theatre
Charing Cross Road
London
WC2H 0JG
View Map
Directions
Take the Piccadilly or Northern line to Leicester Square station. The theatre is a 5 minute walk.
