Blood Brothers

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

Two years ago Blood Brothers was one of the headline attractions of the first full season of the newly-opened £27 million Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.

And on its return to the riverside venue  last night, the cast left the stage to a richly deserved standing ovation from a near-capacity crowd in the main auditorium.

For a show which has proved a top attraction in London’s West End that comes as no surprise – the musical this year celebrates its 28th anniversary. But with many of the cast hailing from the Liverpool and rural North Wales areas where the story is based the audience was treated to a truly authentic take on the issues raised in the moving storyline.

Set in the slums of Liverpool, at the heart of the story are two twin brothers, Eddie Lyons and Mickey Johnstone – separated at birth without knowing their true past – who keep on bumping into each other as they grow up through their teenage years and into adulthood, on a course towards a terrible tragedy.

Back in 2009 Sean Jones was one of the stars for his portrayal of Mickey. This year he stole the show, mixing the youthful exuberance of a seven year-old boy with a soulful performance as grown-up Mickey, addicted to anti-depressants and facing the breakdown of his marriage to his childhood sweetheart Linda.

There was not a weak link in the cast, which also featured 2007 X Factor semi finalist Niki Evans in the headline role as Mrs Johnstone.

Already more than 4,500 tickets have been sold for the week-long run of Blood Brothers at Theatre Severn, which ends on Saturday. Theatre lovers in Shropshire should snap up the remaining tickets and enjoy this treat before it is too late.

Peter Kitchen