For me the most impactful shows are those that get you in the feels. Whether it be one that you are still giggling about as you walk out of the doors or one that wants you looking for the music to listen to on your commutes that ‘grab” is, in my opinion, what can make or break a show. There have been a few recently: The Book Thief pushed its way into my top ten last year and Come From Away rushed into second place earlier this year on my “feels” list but the one that will always stay in top spot is Willy Russell’s musical adaptation of Blood Brothers – for a very good reason. It gets me in the feels EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Blood Brothers tells the story of twin brothers – Michael and Edward – secretly separated at birth. Their mother, Mrs Johnstone (brilliantly played by Niki Colwell Evans) – finds herself as a single mum and expecting twins whilst in the employ of Mrs Lyons – a woman desperate to become a mother. Mrs Lyons begs Mrs J to ‘give her one’ of her twins promising that she will be able to see him every day before firing her because of her own insecurities about being a mother. The audience grows to despise Mrs Lyons – played so evilly by Sarah Jane Buckley – as she twists, turns and manipulates the superstitious nature of Mrs J which finally results in the untimely deaths of the brothers. I still can’t work out why she would be the one to tell Micky about her own sons affair with Micky’s wife. It seemed like a desperate case of “if I can’t have him neither can Mrs J” which just adds to the intense dislike of her character. There is also a sense of doom whenever the ominous of the figure of the narrator (Scott Anson) appeared as he ‘prompts’ the behaviours of Mrs Lyons – like the proverbial angel of darkness on her shoulder – his portrayal gives a cold shudder of anticipation.

I have always said that if my favourite musical came to my favourite theatre then I would watch every night – and I very nearly did!! This week it arrived at Curve Theatre, Leicester and I watched in on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The only thing stopping me getting more shows in was the fact they sold out whilst I was saving up my pennies! I was intrigued to see whether those feels that Blood Brothers has always hit me with would stand the test of three viewings in a week……and it did! I was emotionally drained after each performance and my supply of tissues was greatly reduced! This is why this is a non-show specific review – rather covering the whole concept of the show and performances I saw this week.

On Tuesday and Friday Micky was played by Sean Jones – an actor I have seen play this role superbly several times  – and on Wednesday it was Josh Capper who took on the role (with huge competence!). A quick comparison between them shows the ‘directed” aspects of the show but they also bring in their own little quirks and foibles which adds a depth to Mickey. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Sean’s adaptation as I have seen him more than anyone else in this show and his believability is what reduces me to tears with every viewing. Having said that I enjoyed seeing the slightly different approach by Josh – he also managed to help reduce me to a quivering mess. Micky is the character my heart breaks for the most. His innocence in the whole sorry story is massively highlighted by the fact that, purely a chance pick by Mrs Lyons, shapes the entire dismal direction of his life.

Eddie, on the other hand grows up with the naivety of wealth and this is portrayed so well by Joe Sleight. He has no idea about poverty never having faced it and has no concept of the utter debasement attached to having to queue for hours at the dole with his almost romantic notion of tipping his hat to the world as he “lives like a Bohemian”. He simply cannot understand the importance of a job having grown up surrounded by wealth.

Whilst the story is set in 1960s Liverpool there is a definite resonance to current times. Yes – the stigma around antidepressants has greatly reduced (but not disappeared) and the debilitating side effects of them are nowhere near as bad now but the class divide is, seemingly, as wide as ever. We only have to look to the recent comments by our current Prime Minister about the “sick note culture” in our country. If someone has never been in a position of need they can never understand the fears and anxieties caused by poverty – of living on the never never. They can never hope to understand or empathise with people who lay awake at night wondering how to pay the bills or hiding every time the door knocks in case it is the bailiffs. Just look at social media and newspapers to see the division caused in the “benefit scroungers” stories and the hatred that points in the direction of the poor; the dehumanisation of people in need. Eddie waltzes through life completely unaware and so, so innocent. He thinks nothing of giving hand-outs because although he is, at heart, a kind soul, he simply doesn’t understand the destruction of self-esteem these kinds of actions have on the people he is ‘helping’. As Micky so clearly says he HAD to grow up but Eddie didn’t. The pressures of their lives were so far apart.

The other main players in the show are Sammy and Linda. Sammy (Timothy Lucas) is the twin’s older brother and a lad who was off the rails from such a young age. He seemed to be endlessly in trouble and a bully to his younger siblings and friends – and a spit ability second to none!!! It is his action, when Micky is nearly at his lowest, that starts the ripple of tragedy stemming from a robbery gone wrong. Linda is the girl in the middle. Played perfectly by Gemma Broderick she is the childhood sweetheart of Micky – announcing to the whole school in assembly that she loves Micky – and life deals her such a cruel double blow. To fall in love with one brother only to be rejected by him when he is in his anti-depressant clouded mindset she takes solace in the arms of the other brother. It is an easy transition to make as they grow up as a trio of close friends and Eddie has always loved her but defers to his brother – stepping aside and actually encouraging the relationship despite his own obvious love for her.

Blood Brothers is a story that grabbed me when I first watched it and it continues to grab me with each viewing. The only difference now is, knowing the story line, my tears start falling earlier. The guilt I feel in the second half about having laughed at their antics of their childhood in Act One (how well do these actors transition from “nearly eight” to adult hood?!) and the different heartbreaks – for a mother who did what she believed was best for her entire family, a son whose naivety causes his demise, another son who is simply hounded by life and his circumstances and a young woman who simply dreamed to love – will always have the tears flowing – usually from the time the robbery goes wrong. Even with the final event being set in stone right at the very beginning of the show I want to scream out at them that it will be ok, to hug Micky and help put his pieces together but knowing that it is set and nothing will change. Yes – I know it is a piece of fiction but it rings so true to home.

One final take from the three separate viewings in such a short space of time…..one I had thought I recognised before but wasn’t quite sure because of the gaps between show views: the audience reaction. As Blood Brothers is one of the standard GCSE texts there are often schools attending. On Tuesday and Wednesday there were several schools there (wonderful to see) and the reaction to the shooting was a nervous giggle and a rapid whispering….a release of energy as if the young people watching it didn’t quite know how to process the tension but it is an understandable reaction to a situation they possibly haven’t seen before in a show or life (well at least I certainly hope not!). On Friday when there were no schools in (that I noticed at least) the reaction was silence – punctuated by sniffles from several places around the auditorium (including me – sorry!)

Whilst there are people out there who may not connect with the show (the joys of theatre – not everyone will get it the same way – I am the same with Bonnie & Clyde – I just don’t “get” the connection) Blood Brothers went straight to number one at my first ever watch and it has stood the test of time 20 or so viewings later. It holds that position so firmly that, if it does come back to Leicester again I will, once again, book multiple tickets despite being exhausted from all the tears this week.

I also wanted to say how lovely it was to chat to several members of the cast – especially Sean, Joe and Timothy (selfie attached!) – in the Green Room Cafe of the theatre. I promise – I wasn’t stalking you!

Blood Brothers has two more showings at Curve today before moving to Birmingham Hippodrome from 30th April to 4th May. Tour dates can be seen here.