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Theatre listings > Blood Brothers. - Tour. Musical by - Willy Russell. Directors - Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright. Designer - Andy Walmsley. Musical Supervisor - Rod Edwards. Lighting Designer - Nick Richings Sound Designer - Ben Harrison. Cast - here . Venue Reviewed at - The King's Glasgow on 29 September 2005. 2005 Tour Dates and Times - here . Run Time - 2 hours 30 minutes. 15 minute interval. Reviewer - Marisa Farrell. Embodies the two brothers. Willy Russell's renowned musical, Blood Brothers, is finding a large audience once more as it returns to the King's Theatre in Glasgow. Its success stems from the strong plot, set on the streets of Liverpool and exploring the class divide between twin brothers separated at birth. This is not a musical that relies solely on its score for impact - unlike so many others in recent years. The directors of this production, Bob Tomson and the always involved and very experienced Bill Kenwright, deliver well this demanding script. Well timed and inventive scene changes successfully push the show forward with the quick pace needed, as it skips from the jiving fifties through to the grim trudging dole-days of the eighties without pausing for breath. Linda Nolan is clearly capable of playing the likeable character of Mrs Johnstone, but her performance occasionally disrupts would-be climactic moments by over-dramatising the script and score. The only really awkward point in the production is the narrator. His part is problematic as his musical numbers, full of dated eighties rock, need revised for a new audience. On the night I saw it the actor added to that role's problems by mumbling his songs, leaving the spectators lost in lyrics meant to bring the story together. Thankfully this shortfall can be forgotten whenever the 'blood brothers', Mickey and Eddie, are on stage. It is a great acting challenge to bring two characters from puerile pre-pubescents into early adulthood, particularly within the framework of a musical, and Stephen Palfreman and Drew Ashton perfectly embody the two brothers as they struggle in their different ways to grow up. If you are not a fan of musicals, Blood Brothers, although far better and more relevant than many, may well lose you during its more fatuous moments. However, for those converted or looking for a rousing few hours to add to their day, it is certainly worth a look. © Marisa Farrell 29 September 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com . Cast - Mrs Johnstone - Linda Nolan. Narrator - Keith Burns. Mickey - Stephen Palfreman. Eddie - Drew Ashton. Mrs Lyons - Tracy Spencer. Linda - Louise Clayton. Sammy - Daniel Taylor. Mr Lyons - Tim Churchill. Policeman/Teacher - Matt Slack. Donna Marie/Miss Jones - Kathryn Douglas. Perkins - Philip Maggs. Neighbour - Karl Greenwood. Brenda - Emma Nowell. Bus Conductor - Rob Hughes. 2005 UK Tour Details of Blood Brothers . 26 Sep - 8 Oct at 7:30pm Wed & Sat mats at 2:30pm Glasgow King's Theatre 0141 240 1111. 10 - 15 Oct at Crawley - The Hawth Theatre 01293 553 636. 17 - 29 Oct at 7:30pm Thurs and Sat mats at 2:30pm Edinburgh Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000. 31 Oct - 5 Nov at Billingham Forum Theatre 01642 552 663. 14 - 19 Nov at Weymouth The Pavilion Theatre 01305 838504. 28 Nov - 3 Dec at York The Grand Opera House 0870 606 3595. Tour ends. Theatre Editor, Thelma Good's e-mail is thelma@edinburghguide.com Although every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in these pages, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Theatre listings >
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