Blood Brothers (musical)
| Blood Brothers | |
|---|---|
| File:558.jpg 20th Anniversary London Poster | |
| Music | Willy Russell |
| Lyrics | Willy Russell |
| Book | Willy Russell |
| Productions | 1983 West End 1988 West End revival 1991 Broadway |
| Awards | Olivier Award for Best New Musical (1983) |
Blood Brothers is a musical with book, lyrics and music by Willy Russell. It is one of the longest-running works of musical theatre in history, with the 1988 West End production still running after twenty years.
The musical has a contemporary nature vs. nurture plot, revolving around fraternal twins who were separated at birth. The twins' different backgrounds take them to opposite ends of the social spectrum, one becoming an Oxbridge-graduated councillor and the other unemployed and imprisoned. Both fall in love with the same girl, with tragic consequences.
The production is in its 21st year and has developed a cult following. The central role of Mrs. Johnstone has been played by, among others, Stephanie Lawrence, Clodagh Rodgers, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul, Siobhan McCarthy, and four of the Nolan sisters (Linda, Bernie, Denise and Maureen). On 3 November 2008, Niki Evans made her West End debut playing Mrs Johnstone and is scheduled to continue in the role for six months. Ex-Blue member Antony Costa played the role of Mickey during 2006. Theatre and TV star Steven Houghton joined the London cast as The Narrator in 2007. The London production currently stars Niki Evans as Mrs. Johnstone, Ben Sewell as Mickey and Michael Sewell as Eddie. The narrator is currently played by Phillip Stewart in the West End production. In the 2008 national UK tour, Marti Webb was Mrs. Johnstone for a brief period, from September to the end of the year, playing two weeks in the West End, whilst Niki Evans played her home town. Lyn Paul is currently playing Mrs. Johnstone in the national UK tour.
On September 9, 2009, BBC News reported that Melanie Chisolm (Melanie C) will play the role of Mrs. Johnstone in the West End production at the Phoenix Theatre, commencing October 26, 2009, replacing Niki Evans.
The first Australian production, in 1988, included Russell Crowe in the role of Mickey and rocker Chrissy Amphlet as Mrs. Johnstone.[1]
Broadway and U.S. tour
The Broadway production opened on 25 April 1993 at the Music Box Theatre. The show closed on 30 April 1995 after 840 performances. Several of the British actors made their Broadway debuts, including Stephanie Lawrence as Mrs. Johnstone, Con O'Neill as Mickey, Mark Michael Hutchinson as Eddie and Warwick Evans as the narrator. Kerry Butler made her Broadway debut in the ensemble. In order to boost box office sales, Bill Kenwright convinced Petula Clark to make her Broadway debut as Mrs. Johnstone, with real-life brothers David Cassidy and Shaun Cassidy as her sons. She later starred in the U.S. national tour from 1994–95.[2] Clark and the Cassidys also recorded the international cast album, with Willy Russell as the Narrator. Following Clark's portrayal, Mrs. Johnstone was played other 1960s pop singers, with Carole King and Helen Reddy later playing the role on Broadway. Many of the cast members were also in the Canadian run, which starred David Cassidy, Micheal Burgous and Canadian singer-songwriter Amy Sky hello
Plot
Act One
Mrs. Johnstone is unable to pay the bills and cannot support her family, therefore she takes a job as a cleaner for an upper-class couple (Mr and Mrs Lyons). This makes life easier but it is still difficult. Soon she finds out she is pregnant but she can barely afford to have the child.
Mrs Johnstone superstitiously tells her not to put shoes on the table. Mrs Lyons is desperate for a baby but is unable to have one, and her husband does not want to adopt. Mrs Johnstone finds out that she is going to have twins and explains to Mrs Lyons that she cannot cope financially with two more babies; the "welfare" have been onto her about the ones she's already got. Mrs Lyons then suggests that Mrs Johnstone give one of the babies to her. Mrs Johnstone apprehensively agrees to this and is made to swear on the bible to keep to the deal. Mrs Johnstone has the twins, but then regrets having agreed to give one away.
Mrs Johnstone continues to work for Mrs Lyons, but Mrs Lyons soon feels that Mrs Johnstone is paying too much attention to the child that she has given up to her. She fires Mrs Johnstone, who wants to take the baby with her, but Mrs Lyons plays on Mrs Johnstone's superstitions by telling her that "if twins separated at birth learn that they were once one of a pair they will both immediately die". Mrs Johnstone takes the money that Mrs Lyons gave her and leaves without the child.
Seven years later, Mickey, the son Mrs Johnstone kept, meets Eddie, the other twin, and after learning they share the same birthday, the two boys decide to become blood brothers. They make a pact. Mrs Johnstone finds them and sends Eddie away, telling him not to come round again or else the "Bogey-man" will get him. Later in the day Mickey goes to Eddie's house, and Mrs Lyons throws him out. She and Eddie argue on the subject, and Eddie swears at her. Mrs Lyons slaps him and immediately regrets her reaction.
Mickey is playing with some neighbourhood children including his friend Linda. Afterwards, he takes her to see Eddie, and the three of them sneak off to play. Mrs Lyons tries to find Eddie. She becomes worried about Eddie's association with Mickey, as she has started to believe the superstition that she herself had made up. She decides to move house and persuades her husband by pretending to be ill. When Eddie says goodbye, Mrs Johnstone gives him a locket with a picture of herself and Mickey, as the boys separate. The scene shifts as Mrs Johnstone and her family are being re-housed in the countryside and move into their new house. but .........
Act Two
Eddie, Mickey and Linda are now 14 years old. Mrs Johnstone and her family's lives improved since moving, and they have not seen Eddie in all this time. Mickey has a crush on Linda, who is obviously interested in him too, but Mickey doesn't know how to act with her. Both of them are suspended after mouthing off to their teacher. Eddie is also suspended from his boarding school for refusing to give up Mrs. Johnstone's locket to a teacher, but he will not tell his mother about it. Mrs. Lyons sees Mrs. Johnstone near her house and her worries are renewed. Eddie and Mickey bump into each other in a field, but don't recognize each other. They become friends, each wanting to be like the other.
They finally realize who the other is and meet up with Linda. Mrs. Lyons flies into a rage and tries to kill Mrs. Johnstone. The scene shifts, and they are 18 years old. Eddie has feelings for Linda but won’t say anything as he knows Mickey likes her too. Eddie leaves for university but not before encouraging Mickey to ask Linda out. During Eddie's absence, Mickey is fired from his factory job, which forces him onto the dole. He soon discovers that Linda is pregnant, and they decide to get married. Eddie returns at Christmas ready to party and have fun, but Mickey realises that they are now very different; after a small fight with Eddie, they part. To get money, Mickey assists his brother Sammy in a robbery that goes wrong, and becomes an accessory to murder. He is sentenced to seven years in prison.
In prison, Mickey falls into a deep depression. When released early for good behaviour, he is still dependent on anti-depressants, and he turns away from Linda. She contacts Eddie, who is now a councillor, and they have a romantic fling in a park. Mrs. Lyons sees them together and tells Mickey about it. Mickey, distraught over Eddie and Linda's affair, grabs a gun before storming down to the council offices to confront Eddie.
There, Eddie is giving a speech when Mickey storms in with the gun. Mickey asks why, even though Eddie has everything and Mickey has nothing, Eddie would take away the one good thing that Mickey had, Linda. Eddie denies this intention, and the police enter, demanding that Mickey put the gun down, Mickey lowers the gun. Mrs. Johnstone runs onto the stage and, in an attempt to stop Mickey from shooting Eddie, tells the two brothers the truth. Mickey despairs that he was not the one given away, because then he could have had the life given to Eddie. Mickey, distraught, gestures carelessly with the gun towars Eddie. The police misinterperate this action and Mickey is shot as Mickey accidentally shoots Eddie too. Both Mickey and Eddie lie dead on the floor. Mrs. Lyons' superstitious prediction has come true, and the Narrator questions whether class was more to blame than superstition.
Musical numbers
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Albums
- 1983 Original London Cast Recording of Blood Brothers
- 1988 London Cast of Blood Brothers
- 1995 London Cast of Blood Brothers (musical album)
- 1995 International Cast Recording of Blood Brothers
Awards and nominations
- Olivier Award for Best New Musical (1983) (winner)
- Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical (1988) – Con O'Neill (winner)
- Tony Award Best Musical (nominee)
- Tony Award Best Book of a Musical – Willy Russell (nominee)
- Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical – Con O'Neill (nominee)
- Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical – Stephanie Lawrence (nominee)
- Tony Award Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Jan Graveson (nominee)
- Tony Award Best Direction of a Musical – Bill Kenwright, Bob Tomson (nominees)
- 1993 Theatre World Award – Stephanie Lawrence (winner)
- Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical – Con O'Neill (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Mark Michael Hutchinson (winner)
References
- ^ http://www.theatre.asn.au/production/2007/blood_brothers
- ^ Blood Brothers at PetulaClark.net
- ^ Russell, Willy. Blood Brothers. London: Samuel French, 1985. 1-36.
- ^ Russell, Willy. Blood Brothers. London: Samuel French, 1985. 37-70.
External links
- kenwright.com Official website
- Plot summary & character descriptions for Blood Brothers from StageAgent.com
- [1] www.bloodbrothersthemusical.webs.com Fan website with exclusive and updated content.
- Internet Broadway Database listing
- Interview with Lyn Paul, who plays Mrs Johnstone