Review: Blood Brothers, Civic Theatre, Darlington

WILLY Russell’s compelling musical play is a tale of identical twins, separated at birth to lead very difference lives; one in the rough and tumble of the back streets and the other privileged and affluent. It was first produced in Liverpool 29 years ago, has spent 23 years in London’s West End and still plays to packed houses wherever it goes. That’s certainly the case in Darlington where the tear-drenched finale brought the audience to its feet for half a dozen curtain calls.

Maureen Nolan takes the leading role of Mrs Johnstone, a character she has played in the West End and on UK tours to critical acclaim. Once again she demonstrates her considerable acting skills. Against her better judgement Mrs Johnstone agrees to give away one of her expected twins to a wealthy childless woman, Mrs Lyons (tautly played by Kate Jarman), a decision which has tragic results.

Sean Jones is Mickey Johnstone, a character he has made very much his own having performed in UK tours and on the West End stage, and captures the audience from the beginning as a seven-year-old Mickey.

Joel Benedict as twin Eddie and Danielle Corlass as Linda, the girl with whom both brothers fall in love, provide solid support, also convincingly making the transition from childhood to adulthood.

The Narrator is played by Kristofer Harding in a masterly performance that is chilling in its cynical amusement, a charismatic actor with a fine singing voice.

But in the end it is Maureen Nolan who wrings our hearts and takes the honours with Tell Me It’s Not True, belting out the song through her tears and ours.

Until Saturday November 29.

Sue Heath