Blood Brothers - Milton Keynes Theatre

Bill Kenwright's award-winning production, Blood Brothers is at Milton Keynes Theatre this week. I have never seen a production take four curtain calls to a standing ovation and cheers from such an appreciative audience on opening night but that should tell you how impactful this show is.

Blood Brothers tells the moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks.  It’s the early 1960’s and Mrs Johnstone finds herself pregnant again, but this time she is newly single and expecting twins. She is struggling to make ends meet but grateful for her cleaning job.  Her employer, Mrs Lyons is childless but when she finds out that Mrs Johnstone is carrying twins, she suggests that Mrs Johnstone gives one of the twins to her.  Mrs Johnstone reluctantly agrees imagining the life that Mrs Lyons can provide for her child. Once the deed is done, Mrs Lyons doesn’t want his real mum anywhere near her baby so dismisses Mrs Johnstone, trying to pay her off.  Both mothers are heavy with the guilt of what they have done.  If you think your life is hard, imagine having so many mouths to feed that you feel you have to give one of your children away to survive.  

By pure chance the twins meet as seven-year-olds and after learning they share the same birthday, the two boys make a pact to become blood brothers.  There is a lot of joy in the innocence of children and we witness this as they play in the Liverpudlian slums. By the time Mickey and Eddie are 14, Mickey’s family have been rehoused to the country. Fresh air, countryside and cows – feels a lot like Milton Keynes did in the 1970’s!  Mickey still hangs around with Linda, but then by fluke bumps into Eddie again after his family had moved away. Sometimes destiny comes knocking at your door.

I was delighted to find Sean Jones has returned to his role as Mickey.  He is the ultimate Mickey and his presence on the stage is magnetic; you can’t stop watching him.  Sean’s range from playing a seven-year-old to an awkward teenager to someone on the edge and on pills to survive is phenomenal. Sean’s performance blew me away. He is worth the ticket price alone. Eddie is the rich twin and is played by Joe Sleight.  Joe is easily the best Eddie I have ever seen.  Joe delivers Eddie’s lack of social understanding, despite the quality of his education, brilliantly.  Together Sean and Joe are dynamite on stage. 

The iconic role of Mrs Johnstone is played by Vivienne Carlyle and she delivers a stunning performance.  Vivienne’s acting is tangible, and I feel her every emotion and she absolutely nailed the Liverpudlian accent.  Mrs Lyons is not a nice character.  I have never warmed to her even though it must have been so difficult to live with what she had done.  However, Paula Tappenden delivers the role so that you almost feel empathy for her. Almost. The Narrator is played by Kristofer Harding.  Dressed a bit like Liverpool mafia, he tells us the story and helps us understand the nuances of the show.  He is almost playing a devil or at least playing devil's advocate.  He is fabulous in the role and again one of the best I have seen.  The cast are exemplary.  The orchestra deliver our emotions and the superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe, and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True.

This show is an emotional rollercoaster.  And that scene in the second act that I know is coming, still made me jump and scream a little.   Did I cry?  Of course, I did.   I was an emotional wreck.   Would I go again?  In a heartbeat.  I have seen this show many, many times and it never fails to touch my heart.  Its heartbreakingly poignant and yet still beautiful in a gritty real-world way.

Blood Brothers is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 30 August 2025.