Theatre Review: Blood Brothers, Wales Millennium Centre
Summary:
Rating: ★★★★
Running Dates: Tuesday 20th August – Saturday 24th August
Where to see it: Wales Millennium Centre
Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes (including interval)
Keywords: Politics, Class Inequality, Family
Photo by Jack Merriman
Review
This nature versus nurture play tackles systemic issues of class disparity and inequality and, despite first being performed in the 1980s, it sadly is still just as relevant today’s world – and that is exactly why everyone should go see it.
Blood Brothers is a classic play which tells the compelling story of two twins, Mickey and Edward, who are separated at birth and, despite not living geographically far apart, are raised in drastically different ways. The performance starts with the end of the narrative, when the two twins have passed away and their biological mother is wailing between them, and the audience is instantly hooked.
After this initial scene, the play introduces us to Mrs Johnstone, a lovable and warm working-class mother struggling to make ends meet, and Mrs Lyons, a rich but ultimately lonely upper-class woman. They end up making a pact to keep one twin each, and when Mrs Lyons fails to keep her end of the bargain, she uses Mrs Johnstone's superstitious beliefs to convince her that the twins can never know the truth. The use of superstition and fate throughout Blood Brothers is another clever way of showing class disparity and how socioeconomic status inevitably gives Mrs Lyons power over Mrs Johnstone, a power dynamic which will be seen throughout the performance.
The set design of the play is simple yet effective as it mostly focuses on the domestic environments of Mickey and Edward, another stark reminder of how different their upbringing is. I particularly enjoyed how we hardly ever got to see Mickey indoors, which served to showcase how sheltered (literally!) Edward's life has been in comparison to his.
Photo by Jack Merriman
The ever presence of a narrator (stunningly performed by Scott Anson) on the actual stage, this ominous figure looming in the shadows, was a powerful metaphor to convey guilt and anxiety throughout the performance - the narrator never let either mother forget the pact they had made and its consequences. Anson's intense speeches quickly reminded me of more traditional theatre by creating even more tension and keeping the audience enthralled.
Additionally, the beautiful live orchestra arguably cannot be ignored. The soundtrack of Blood Brothers seamlessly weaves throughout the play, and it is a powerful aid to the cast's musical performances. I would like to highlight Marilyn Monroe (sung by the talented Vivienne Carlyle) and all its reprises - the way her voice conveyed both hope and despair was perfect for a play like this.
Where this play really shines is in the way it tackles deeply emotional and serious issues whilst still managing to make the audience laugh – the presence of jokes (some of them crude) seemed to provide the audience with some much needed relief. Despite these light-hearted moments, Blood Brothers ends in tragedy and is a play which forces the audience to reflect on serious issues. This nature versus nurture play tackles systemic issues of class disparity and inequality and, despite first being performed in the 1980s, it sadly is still just as relevant today’s world – and that is exactly why everyone should go see it.
Photo by Jack Merriman
Standout Quote or Moment: ‘And do we blame superstition for what came to pass, or could it be what we have come to know as class?’
Similar Plays: You enjoy politics or want to show your kids a play which will teach them a powerful lesson.
Last Impression: Strong emotional performances in an ever-relevant play.
To get tickets for the show click here
We were kindly gifted these tickets in exchange for a review.
Written by Mari Andrade