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Post by interval99 on Aug 31, 2023 22:16:38 GMT
This was a bit of a memory blast. Not aged the best but still some good musical moments. Audience seemed pretty much returning visitors to the show and its doing about 50% capacity of the bristol hippodrome this week so not hitting its heyday when it packed the hippodrome out on its yearly visit.
Six in the band which did seem bit underpowered at times. Mickey is played by Sean Jones who apparently has been in blood brothers west end and tours for over 20 years and which does mean he looks older than joe sleight playing Eddie so the twin bit takes a bit more disbelief. Cast are all fine without challenging the memories of those who have played the roles on the past.
An enjoyable enough evening but not as timeless as his other hits of the time Shirley valentine and educating Rita. Interesting to see now in those two he has two woman who he shows can change and rise above the challenges in life. In brothers he seems to be claiming where you are born in life fixes you for good and you have no choices to change that.
They had a few items of merchandise which presumably bill kenwright has been storing while it's been off the road. The souvenir brochure at £6 was the 1995 story so far one and is Interesting in its own right and does remind you of some of the stars who did star in it. Still sad to see lost too soon Stephane Lawrence name and picture and didn't know music legend Carol King played mrs johnstone on broadway, it also celebrates how its still running in the west end!. Best of all over four pages you have the complete text of the book so you can recreate the show at home.
But think it must be a record selling 28 year old brochures as new at a show.
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Post by macksennett on Sept 1, 2023 9:24:55 GMT
Ha, yes I saw the tour a few weeks ago and also bought the antique brochure - I was amazed it was so out of date but it’s certainly great nostalgia. The theatre was packed the night I saw the show & I have to say it was really well done. Thoroughly recommend this cast if you haven’t seen them yet.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Sept 2, 2023 9:41:09 GMT
Mickey is played by Sean Jones who apparently has been in blood brothers west end and tours for over 20 years and which does mean he looks older than joe sleight playing Eddie so the twin bit takes a bit more disbelief. I found this an issue when I saw it a few years ago, too. I actually found it equally jarring when he was sharing the stage with a young Linda. I most recently saw it last year with his understudy playing Mickey and I found it worked much better when the three character were played by a younger cast who are all closer in age. I don't wish the guy out of a job - especially when he does play Mickey so well - but realistically if this were being cast from scratch today they would either cast an older Eddie/Linda to match or all three would be cast from the same age bracket. I do wonder if they have ever considered moving him into the Narrator role instead... |
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Post by Figaro on Sept 2, 2023 11:43:16 GMT
Does anyone know if this your features any set that flys in?
I saw it in a small theatre a few weeks ago and there was no additional set apart from a small Kitchen in act 2.
I’ve seen videos of, I think previous tours that had a lot more set to it.
Just wondering if it was cut due to space issues or if they don’t use the extra set now.
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Post by toomasj on Sept 2, 2023 12:00:47 GMT
Mickey is played by Sean Jones who apparently has been in blood brothers west end and tours for over 20 years and which does mean he looks older than joe sleight playing Eddie so the twin bit takes a bit more disbelief. I found this an issue when I saw it a few years ago, too. I actually found it equally jarring when he was sharing the stage with a young Linda. I most recently saw it last year with his understudy playing Mickey and I found it worked much better when the three character were played by a younger cast who are all closer in age. I don't wish the guy out of a job - especially when he does play Mickey so well - but realistically if this were being cast from scratch today they would either cast an older Eddie/Linda to match or all three would be cast from the same age bracket. I do wonder if they have ever considered moving him into the Narrator role instead... I entirely agree. Mark Hutchinson was well into his 50’s and still playing Eddie which was a touch cringy to be completely honest. I think they have difficulties casting Mickey, it’s actually a rather tricky part I am told. That said, I’ve seen understudies over the years who have been fine, so it can’t be that hard. Blood Brothers has a history of repeat casting, Lyn Paul went on far too long in the role too, and the chap who played Sammy for decades and others. They’re all great performers but there does come a time when enough is enough, in my opinion. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 2, 2023 13:05:50 GMT
Someone should do a new production of this, I’d like to see it again- but not in that dusty old Kenwright version.
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 2, 2023 13:10:29 GMT
I've said it many times before and I'll say it again, this and Calendar Girls will just run and tour forever!
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Post by danielwhit on Sept 2, 2023 16:57:13 GMT
Does anyone know if this your features any set that flys in? I saw it in a small theatre a few weeks ago and there was no additional set apart from a small Kitchen in act 2. I’ve seen videos of, I think previous tours that had a lot more set to it. Just wondering if it was cut due to space issues or if they don’t use the extra set now. yes, there are a couple of backdrops that fly in (background of the Lyons' house for one) as well as fly cues for the back wall and greenery backdrop. I know they do axe some elements in some theatres, which is probably what you encountered. |
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Post by Peter on Sept 2, 2023 21:54:27 GMT
Just seen the final performance in Bristol and can confirm that all the flown-in bits of set I remember from when I last saw it (2010!) are still there - Lyons house, council house, Mickey’s house, as well as the back wall and house top section, fairground sign, various ‘for sale’ gantries.
Fairly packed house and very well received - agree that bits of the band sounds a bit thin, I’m sure there used to be some brass in the pit, even in the tour? As much as I still love it, I would like to see what a brand new production would be like - this one is all I’ve ever known and even after not seeing it for ages I can still remember all the beats and bits of business that are still a part of it…
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Post by drowseychap on Sept 4, 2023 0:36:49 GMT
Totally agree with people my all time fave seen it 55 times but not for the last few years …. Found the band and some of the casting off putting for me recently … makes me sad when I think back of the fab early 90s casts …. It’s so over due a new production a new set a new imagining … every other show has one ! But it a BK cash cow he will milk it dry
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2023 12:16:40 GMT
I noticed it is doing the Lichfield Garrick this week which is a smaller city theatre and only has limited availability. So if it doesn't fill the bigger main city theatres like it used to then it can move to smaller venues and still make itself pay.
I've always been a fan of the show and seen it well over a dozen times since I first saw the late Stephanie Lawrence in it. The also much missed Bernie Nolan was probably the best Mrs Johnstone that I personally saw.
As regards much older actors still playing the sons couldn't they move over to the Narrator role potentially. But we have had a wide range of ages of actresses playing Mrs Johnstone too. Lynn Paul alone has played the role from her mid 40's into her 70's.
I've recommended this show to several friends during previous tours and not one of them has been disappointed. One work colleague wanted something to take her mum to see and I suggested this and said you'll laugh and cry. But I couldn't tell her more as it would have spoilt the show. She said she was sat there with her mum and the beginning with the two bodies began and she was thinking that I had totally set her up. But at the end she admitted she and her mum were both crying and she didn't realise just how funny some parts would be so was pleased I'd suggested this.
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Post by capybara on Sept 6, 2023 14:26:58 GMT
Is the reason there has never been an updated and modernised reimagining of this show simply because the original production continues to tour so relentlessly?
I enjoyed it when I saw it at Richmond last year but it definitely felt like it needed new life breathing into it (and it was just my first time seeing it!).
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Post by robertb213 on Sept 6, 2023 14:33:11 GMT
I saw it in Cambridge a month ago, which was my third time seeing the show overall (across 15 years or so), and enjoyed this latest performance the most out of all three. It's still really powerful. A reimagining would be interesting but they'd have to be careful not to lose that power.
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Post by firefingers on Sept 6, 2023 22:08:06 GMT
Is the reason there has never been an updated and modernised reimagining of this show simply because the original production continues to tour so relentlessly? I enjoyed it when I saw it at Richmond last year but it definitely felt like it needed new life breathing into it (and it was just my first time seeing it!). The industry rumour is it has kept going as is due to school curriculum and altering the production could invalidate some of the work and info on it. |
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Post by Jon on Sept 6, 2023 22:19:24 GMT
Blood Brothers feels like a museum piece and it'll be great to see a production that isn't the Kenwright production.
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Post by andypandy on Sept 7, 2023 1:54:42 GMT
Have there ever been BAME actors play any of the leading roles in Blood brothers? Seems time no?
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Post by theatreliker on Sept 7, 2023 6:05:19 GMT
The first Thai actress went on as Linda the other night.
John Conteh played the narrator at some point. Probably makes him the first boxer in a lead role as well.
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Post by fluxcapacitor on Sept 7, 2023 11:42:27 GMT
Is the reason there has never been an updated and modernised reimagining of this show simply because the original production continues to tour so relentlessly? I enjoyed it when I saw it at Richmond last year but it definitely felt like it needed new life breathing into it (and it was just my first time seeing it!). This isn’t actually the ORIGINAL production. The first (professional) production starring Barbara Dickson was a grittier affair - there are some stock photos of a very grungy looking set online, and you can listen to it on Spotify. I can’t speak for the staging, but the orchestrations and song arrangements were very different so it’s a strange listen when we’re so used to the relentless touring Kenwright version. I’d be very interested in seeing that original version now. |
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Post by sph on Sept 7, 2023 22:04:15 GMT
Yes I believe the current version is a continuation of the 1988 revival - which began as a tour in 1987 according to Wikipedia.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2023 22:20:57 GMT
The story would begin in the late 1950's/early 1960's I guess so the Johnstone's would have likely lived in some slum terrace. Liverpool had an early black area in Toxteth so you could do something with BAME actors in it. But you'd have to cast the 3 leads as BAME plus Sammy unless you assume he may be by a different father.
We don't know how Willie Russell would view a reworking of it either which could be a key issue?
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Post by drowseychap on Sept 8, 2023 0:30:01 GMT
I just think a new design , set lighting etc would help I’m sure that’s bits of the broadway set too. As the west end version I saw back in early 90s was even more basic if it were possible .
And maybe some new less electronic drums etc
I’ve got the original barbra Dickson version on cassette !!?? Lol it’s sounds so different and Kiki Dee version too which again is different to the 95 saint Stephanie or Lawrence version ❤️
Didn’t it bomb in west end originally so BK took it on tour for a few years … made some changes then bought it back with Kiki Dee … then Steph ❤️ then it went out on tour with the amazing Berni Nolan and some of the …broadway set . ? And it’s that production that’s still going 🤔👍
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Post by hannechalk on Sept 14, 2023 14:18:53 GMT
Have there ever been BAME actors play any of the leading roles in Blood brothers? Seems time no? Jess Smith, who is mixed race, played Linda for several shows last week. In previous tours, Jacob Yolland played Sammy for several shows, and he also covered Mr Lyons, policeman/Teacher and judge. They did cast another BAME-actress a few years ago to play Brenda/us Linda, but she pulled out a few days into rehearsals and just before tour, so they had to pull in an emergency cover, and ended up with a white cast. |
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Post by hannechalk on Sept 14, 2023 14:28:44 GMT
Mickey is played by Sean Jones who apparently has been in blood brothers west end and tours for over 20 years and which does mean he looks older than joe sleight playing Eddie so the twin bit takes a bit more disbelief. I found this an issue when I saw it a few years ago, too. I actually found it equally jarring when he was sharing the stage with a young Linda. I most recently saw it last year with his understudy playing Mickey and I found it worked much better when the three character were played by a younger cast who are all closer in age. I don't wish the guy out of a job - especially when he does play Mickey so well - but realistically if this were being cast from scratch today they would either cast an older Eddie/Linda to match or all three would be cast from the same age bracket. I do wonder if they have ever considered moving him into the Narrator role instead... Sean has allegedly been told a few times now Kenwright wants to go in a different direction, they start casting for Mickey, and a couple of days before rehearsal he gets the call asking if he's free... Can't blame him for taking the work. One Eddie from recent years actually went up for Mickey, but got Eddie instead. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2023 13:20:54 GMT
If they keep asking Sean back and the show's fanbase know him then I agree he'd not turn it down. But have they thought of maybe using him as the Narrator who doesn't need to be a set age. That way he still has a leading role, is there to mentor the new Mickey etc or even have him as the resident director?
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Post by ruthieh on Sept 15, 2023 22:48:17 GMT
Went to see it tonight at the Oxford playhouse, and fell back in love with it…it’s been a few years, and usually I’ve seen the tour at the much larger New Theatre, but it really suited the smaller stage and auditorium. It was much tighter and intimate. And yes, I cried like a baby!
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