I've been off Ciao for a few days trying to learn how to use geocities. That's quite brave for a tec...
I've been off Ciao for a few days trying to learn how to use geocities. That's quite brave for a techno-phobe like me! Check out the results so far at http://uk.geocities.com/theusu alsuspectuk. Any advice or help is greatfully received. Take care all.
Member since:30.10.2001
Reviews:37
Members who trust:10
If ever a musical combined great lyrics, a tear-jerking plot, humour and great performances better than Blood Brothers then somebody please tell me, I would sell my soul to see a better constructed and dramatic musical than this one.
If you haven't guessed I loved this show. This was the show that re-ignited my love of theatre, this was the show that reminded me how good theatre can be but most importantly this was the show which proved you can entertain and comment on social injustices in equal proportion.
The show centres around the lives of Mrs Johnston and her twins, Mickey and Eddie. Due to her economic circumstances she can only afford to keep one baby, Mickey, while she sells the other to her employer. Thus Mickey is denied the priveledges which Edward grows up with. This of course does not stop the two of them becoming friends and "Blood Brothers" despite not ever finding out that they are truly related. Edward grows up to become a councellor while Mickey joins the dole queue and eventually turns to petty crime. They of course fall in love with the same girl, Linda, who falls pregnant, and in love with both the brothers. The end of course is tragic, as both brothers die when they discover who each other truly is and fulfils a prophecy from the start of the show.
All this though is just a device for Willy Russell to tell us his views on the social structure, unemployment and the argument between nature and nurture. Everyone who has seen the show remembers the scene where Mrs Johnston stands over her two dead sons but for me the most powerful moment in the show is the song "Take A Letter Miss Jones" where the employer Mr Lyons is dictating a letter dismissing his employees without a care in the world. Yet on stage we see the Liverpool dole queues growing and young men begging for a chance in life.
Everything in this play is an opposite. The affluence of Edward and his family in comparison to Mickey's up-bringing. Fate and superstition against free-will. Nature against nurture. Hope against despair. The tragic lives of the players against some of the happiest show tunes heard this side of Singing In The Rain. And it all works.
This is a show which owes more to classic Greek theatre in its content than anything else I have seen in the modern theatre. There is nothing but the feeling that no matter what these characters did they were destined to know nothing but tragedy. Again though this dated concept set in contemporary Liverpool works. Even comparing the lives of Mickey and Marilyn Monroe in my favourite song "Marilyn Monroe" points to the fact that all is not going to turn out alright for the characters. It also supports the argument that no matter who you are, if you are destined to lead a tragic life you will, even with the advantages of wealth and power.
The opening of the play tells us the ending and despite knowing the ending and having the narrator lead us to the inevitable conclusion, I still found myself echoing the thoughts of the most famous song in the show....."Tell Me It's Not True." I wanted the characters that had entertained me for the last two hours to live and enjoy their lives as much as they had let me enjoy their's and yes, despite knowing that they were going to die, despite knowing they had to die, I still shed a tear or two, and not just the first time I saw the show.
This show really does have it all, great songs, humour, tragedy, characters you care about, tears, laughter, superstition, love, thrills, entertainment and above all else a social conscience.
Great review - Ive not seen this show before - i definitely will now
andymcf 30.10.2004 02:22
Hi! you said "This was the show that re-ignited my love of theatre". Indeed, indeed. Wasn't it just absolutely superb? This, in my view, was an intelligent review of a show that, as you say, is both hugely entertaining and tear-jearking!
All the best!
Andrew
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Dec 11th, 2001
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