REVIEW

Up close and personal
Ian Hammond-Stark

Blood Brothers is a name I feel that everyone knows or at least has heard of. I feel that even the most casual of theatre goers will know the musical Blood Brothers, so I was not at all surprised to learn that the play version had sold incredibly well at Holy Seps.

Let's begin with the staging: the back drop (by Ellie Winston) was superb and a lovely edition showing the setting and Mark Mortimer did a great job with the set. It all looked fantastic.

The lights and sound (by Philip Welsh) was very effective and dramatic. I particularly loved the use of the music in the dramatic moments which I feel gave the whole piece a rather cinematic feel.

The staging was very effective, l don't think there would have been much that was missed from the audience sight lines.

Lee Winston (director) used the space well and it at times it was very intense and felt to me 'up close and personal' which only added to the dramatic impact.

Soft, sweet and menacing

Patricia Coleman was brilliant and what you want from a narrator, equal parts soft, sweet and menacing.

lan Bradley was hilarious in all his little parts and was brilliant at adding the lightless to quite an intense story.

Mairead Kearins (Linda) was hilarious when she had to be and truly heartbreaking when called upon again the depth of emotion was fantastic.

Anderson North and Jake Thomas (Eddie and Micky respectively) were perfectly matched, Anderson's controlled and restrained Eddie was balanced against Jake's manic and downtrodden Micky.

Katie Bunting-Brown (Mrs Johnson) was fantastic and sang the opening number superbly. Her range of emotion in her performance, from caring/struggling mum to grieving/pain stricken at the end.

All in all, everyone involved should be very proud, as should Masque Theatre. Another jewel in the crown.

Photo by Rebecca Cockcroft

PREVIEW

Love mixed with tragedy
Lee Winston, director

If I was asked which would be my favourite of the many musicals I have seen, undoubtedly I would choose Willy Russell's iconic Blood Brothers.

I first saw Blood Brothers way back when Mrs Johnstone was played by Kiki Dee, with Mickey played by the wonderful Con O'Neil. O'Neil's performance was absolutely brilliant, and subsequent visits to various theatres to watch the musical never disappointed.

I came across the play version when I was asked to suggest a play to direct for Moulton Theatre. This was nine years ago. Due to the demand for tickets, we decided to run two extra shows, all of which sold out. Reviews of the production were sensational with standing ovations every night.

Of course the play version is somewhat different from the musical version. The musical version lists 22 songs; the play version primarily has just one song. Where the play version benefits is in its ability to really focus on the characterisation of each individual within the play.

Nine years ago, I cast Katie Bunting-Brown as Mrs Johnstone and wow did she deliver! Her performance was truly tremendous. . And now Katie is back to once again take the part of Mrs Johnstone to a level that will leave you amazed.

Alongside Katie and playing Micky is Jake Turner. Another outstanding performer, with an electrifying presence on stage.

Myriad of emotion

Edward Lyons is played by Anderson North, and again you will see an outstanding performance. The tortured Mrs Lyons sees Michaela Clement Hayes once again delight the audience with her performance. Believe me, this is a very difficult role to play, and Michaela delivers at every point.

The Narrator sees Patricia Coleman direct the audience through the myriad of emotion. Mairead Kearins plays Linda, with a Liverpudlian accent to die for. And Ian Bradley handles the multi part role with cheeky aplomb.

Added to the cast, and playing Mrs Johnstone’s children are Pheobe, Elfin, Madi and Gabija: all members of Katie's Limelight Theatre School.

Having directed numerous plays before, this is my first one for the Masque Theatre, and the support I have received from Graham Breeze, Meryl Couper, Rob Kendall, Mark Mortimer and others has been exceptional.

Above all, the support from Philip Welsh on the lighting and sound has been great and somewhat humbling. You will notice a backdrop on the stage set and I owe this amazing piece of art work to my granddaughter Ellie Winston. Thank you Ellie, it's a super piece of art.

To the audience I would say, bring tissues! The play will drag you through many emotions, as the cast leave everything out there. And finally, enjoy Blood Brothers (the play). It's been an absolute pleasure to direct this play for Masque Theatre.