| Rating: 4.5 /5
Where:
Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London
How Much:
£22.50-£59.50 (cheaper deals may be available)
How long: 2hrs 45mins (inc interval)
Running until: 24th November 2012
Merchandise:
Badge: £1
Brochure: £7.00
Calendar: £10
Cast Recordings £15 each (various versions)
Keyring: £4
Magnet: £3
Mug: £6
Oyster Card Holder: £4
Poster: £4
Programme: £4
Script: £8
T-Shirts: £10 each
Wine: £5.50
Ice Cream: £3
|
Such a wonderfully magnificent show that goes by unappreciated on the west end circuit these days.
Telling the story of Mrs Johnstone, the baby making machine of the 60’s that fell in love and before she could blink had 7 children that she struggled to take care of. With a husband who deserted her and an employer longing for a baby of her own, when she finds herself pregnant again with twins (and social services already threatening to take some of her children away), she is left with no choice but to hand one of her babies over to Mrs Lyons.
Trying to keep two children apart when they are from the same family is not easy, as the parents discover. Mickey and Eddie are life long friends who go behind their parents backs to keep their bond in tact. Growing up in two completely different worlds, we see how being separated at birth, in that split second where a woman chooses a baby at random can affect their childhoods.
As events unfold and the boys grow older, even moving away from each other can’t keep them apart.
Jealousy and resentment get the better of these life long Blood Brothers and ends in a nightmare when they discover the truth about where they came from.
An amazing performance from the entire cast, leaving me wondering why it has been years since I last saw this show. Blood Brothers has been running London’s West End for 21 years now! One thing is for sure, I won’t be leaving it that long before I see it next.
Now, Wilma has a nose for a bargain and sniffed out a great deal at lastminute.com offering best available seats for £10. Such a snip that I couldn’t resist going. Sitting 5 rows from the front of the stage, I couldn’t be happier with myself. Then I started to feel bad. Three girls sitting directly in front of me had paid £60 each for their tickets, and whilst they looked like they could afford it, it raises the question as to why going to the theatre can be so expensive theses days when it doesn’t need to be. |
