BLOOD BROTHERS THEATRE REVIEW
Feel the excitement surrounding old favourite Blood Brothers
It has been running in the West End for over 20 years, but now could be the perfect time to catch the hit musical Blood Brothers, particularly for the uninitiated.
A gritty, hard-hitting and ultimately tragic drama, the show is likely to be as suitable for those who enjoy thrillers at the cinema as for people who frequent musicals in London's theatreland.
For those not familiar with the plotline, Blood Brothers tells the story of a working class Liverpool family who are struggling to get by on a pittance of a wage. When matriarch Mrs Johnstone falls pregnant with twins, it is agreed that they cannot afford to feed both mouths, and they arrange to give one of the newborn boys away to a wealthy family who will be able to look after him.
The boys' lives take very different paths; while Edward experiences all the best it has to offer and becomes a high-flying executive, Mickey ends up on the wrong side of the tracks and is put in prison.
Years later, the twins meet up, not knowing they are brothers - but the reunion turns sour when they both fall for the same girl and eventually find they are related.
When Mickey realises that he could have had a life like Edward had he not been kept by his mother, he goes to find his twin with a gun. The shocking and unexpected climax is sure to leave audiences thrilled.
Critics, audiences and cast members love the exciting nature of Blood Brothers
Indeed, Mathew Jenkin of the News Shopper said he found himself tapping his feet to the music as he watched the show, recommending it to theatre fans as a "crowd-pleasing soap opera" that will provide a diverting evening's entertainment.
Meanwhile, the Independent's Alice Jones said the audience in attendance when she watched Blood Brothers was brought "tearfully to its feet" as a result of the tense storyline and great performances from the cast members.
Blood Brothers was also recently recommended as a great musical to take men to by the Leicester Mercury, which pointed out that its exciting subject matter may be more interesting to them than traditional shows.
For anyone keen to check Blood Brothers out for the first time or even rediscover it, the show is now on at the Phoenix Theatre.