Blood Brothers – Review – Hull New Theatre
By Rachel Howard, April 2026
It’s not easy to write a review of Blood Brothers. Not because Willy Russell’s musical isn’t wonderful, because it truly is, and not because the cast aren’t spectacular, because they really are. But because so much has already been written about this award-winning production since its inception in 1983. It’s a staple of British theatre, not to mention school curriculums, so I don’t suppose I’ll be revealing anything groundbreaking in this review. But as the UK tour rolls in to Hull this week, it’s important to note that, more than 40 years on, this is still one hell of a show, and fully deserves the jam-packed audiences it is bound to bring in.
Originally written as a high-school play, Blood Brothers made its debut in Liverpool before Russell moved it to the West End for an Olivier-Award winning run. Since then, the production has had more than 24 years of West End success, triumphed on Broadway, and toured the world.
For the few who haven’t either seen the musical, or studied it at school, Blood Brothers balances humour and heartbreak in a way few other productions can. Set in 1950s Liverpool, it charts the story of twins Mickey and Eddie who, after being separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.
Those consequences are, unusually, revealed to us as the curtain rises. A haunting atmosphere surrounds The Narrator (Kristofer Harding) who reveals the tragedy to come, creating a sense of dark inevitability that lingers through both acts.
The boys’ mother, Mrs Johnstone, carries the first half and does so with humour, grit and heart. As the downtrodden, penniless mother of many, our hearts go out to her when she finds herself pregnant again – this time with twins. Unable to afford to keep them both, she enters into a bargain with the wealthy and childless Mrs Lyons and agrees to hand one child over at birth. Years go by and, blissfully unaware of this deal, brothers Mickey and Eddie randomly meet and make friends, forming a bond that surpasses their vastly different upbringings.
Vivienne Carlyle is captivating as Mrs Johnstone. Vulnerable yet strong, her quiet, reflective moments are equally as powerful as her show-stopping rendition of ‘Tell Me it’s Not True’, demonstrating the depths of a mother’s love in both life and death.
Working seamlessly alongside Carlyle is Laura Harrison as the wealthy and somewhat entitled Mrs Lyons. Her depiction of a woman slowly unravelling into a state of desperation is faultless. Never has the phrase “money doesn’t buy you happiness” been more apt.
“Startling”
The light-hearted nature of the first half is mostly thanks to Mickey and Eddie. Actors Sean Jones and Joe Sleight perform a masterclass in characterisation, portraying the boys at different stages of life and in different frames of mind. As children in the first act, they are hilarious as they travel around on their trusty, if not completely imaginary, steeds and cause all manner of mayhem on the streets of Liverpool’s poverty-stricken slums. The innocence of youth is there for all to see, but we have a nagging knowledge that it will soon come to a tragic end.
Act two is an altogether more sombre affair, but it’s here where the talent of the cast really shines. As young adults, Eddie leaves Liverpool to study at university, leaving Mickey behind to build a relationship with childhood sweetheart Linda (Gemma Brodrick). Despite an unrequited love with Eddie, Linda soon falls pregnant with Mickey’s child and they marry. But married life is not easy, and while Eddie is forming new friendships with wealthy chums at university, Mickey and Linda are on the breadline. Desperate for money, Mickey agrees to help his wayward brother Sammy carry out a robbery, but it inevitably goes wrong, leading to Mickey being sentenced to seven years in prison, destroying his mental health and eventually, his marriage.
The authenticity that Sean Jones brings to Mickey’s crumbling mental state is startling. The gravelly, breathless voice that barely has the energy to breathe stirs up sympathy and frustration in equal measure. His dependence on anti depressants ends up pushing wife Linda further and further away and ultimately, into the arms of Eddie.
Despite Blood Brothers often being referred to as “a play with music rather than a musical”, musically the show is hugely impressive. Songs including ‘Marilyn Monroe’ and ‘Bright New Day’ are delivered with energy and clarity, while the live band, directed by Matt Malone, enhances the emotional impact of many key moments. The score supports the storytelling perfectly, reinforcing the themes of class division and fate that lie at the heart of the story.
The set is cleverly designed to depict the poverty-stricken streets of Liverpool in the shadow of the bright lights of the city and the Liver Birds building. Mirroring the show’s social commentary, the scene switches seamlessly to the rich, opulent decor of Mrs Lyons’ house. The pale, calming colours juxtaposing the dark, damp feeling of Mrs Johnstone’s terrace. This simplicity of set design allows the focus to remain on the characters and narrative, which has to be Blood Brothers’ greatest strength.
This show’s exploration of social inequality and the contrast between the twins’ lives is thought-provoking and moving, resulting in a tragic ending that is shocking yet inevitable.
Often known as the “Standing Ovation Musical” it certainly lives up its name as we all rise to our feet to applaud the cast, band, crew and, of course, the genius of Willy Russell. It remains a theatrical experience that resonates long after the final curtain.
Blood Brothers is at Hull New Theatre until 4th April
images from 2023 production
After studying English at university and having a lifelong love of writing, Rachel, a full-time editor, came to On Yorkshire in 2017 where she started off reviewing theatre productions in and around the East Yorkshire area. That love of theatre soon expanded into hotels, restaurants and travel, not to mention becoming one of On Yorkshire’s resident beauty editors, reviewing the latest products, spas and treatments. Rachel loves to sample the very best Yorkshire and the UK have to offer in order to bring you the low down on the high life!
