Tears, tantrums and a terrific show (From Swindon Advertiser)

Tears, tantrums and a terrific show

9:10am Tuesday 27th September 2011 in Reviews By Stephen Webb

Blood Brothers

Wyvern Theatre

Swindon

IT started with a song, and ended with tears and a standing ovation.

Watching Blood Brothers, the phenomenally successful musical, is an emotional experience – it’s a powerful and moving show, with writer Willy Russell giving his story shades of Shakespeare, but setting its (broken) heart firmly in Liverpool, as the story unfolds of twin brothers separated at birth, brought up on either side of the tracks and becoming best friends, ignorant of their origin until the fickle finger of fate pops up and pokes them in the eye.

Don’t expect many laughs in this desperately sad story.

The show has been around the block a few times, but as a Blood Brothers virgin I was impressed by how fresh it felt – the energy fizzed and the emotion was raw.

This was a slick production, a big show that was comfortable on the Wyvern stage and from the start promised something special.

We weren’t disappointed. The set was well designed and the cast was superb, with Niki Evans, an X Factor veteran, standing out as tragic mother Mrs Johnstone. Sean Jones and Chris Carswell, as the brothers, Anna Sambrooks and Tracy Spencer were equally memorable. This was a story that spanned several years, and some subtle acting ensured those transitions were made smoothly.

And they can all sing a bit too.

Bloody brilliant.

Stephen Webb