BROTHERS FROM THE SAME MOTHER
Blood Brothers (Bord Gais Energy Theatre until February 29) Verdict: An enjoyable bonding session ))))*
IT’S THE eternal debate: nature vs nurture — and twins are always a fascinating way to approach the subject. Born at the same time, to the same parents, given the same chances in life, yet they often turn out very differently.
But what if they’re not given the same chances? What if they grow up at opposite ends of the social spectrum? What then?
Blood Brothers explores this very subject with a wonderful insight and compassion, exploring how two children given the exact same start in life can take two very different roads.
We first meet Mrs Johnstone, abandoned by her husband while pregnant with their eighth child, only to find out she’s expecting twins. Unsure how on earth she’s going to afford to keep two more children when she’s barely scraping by as it is, she confides in her big house employer Mrs Lyons, who is desperate for a child after failing for many years to conceive with her husband.
Pressured by Mrs Lyons, Mrs Johnstone agrees to hand over one of the twins when they’re born, knowing that the Lyons can give the child a far better chance at life. The agreement is that she’ll see the child every day anyway, while carrying out her cleaning duties.
When they twins arrive — two boys — she allows Mrs Lyons to choose one of them and, as agreed, helps to look after him at the house each day.
Things don’t, of course, fo to plan and jealous of Mrs Johnstone’s natural bond with the child, Mrs Lyons fires her but not before persuading her the boys should never see each other. It’s not that easy as Mickey and Eddie encounter each other several times in their lives, finding an instinctive connection that neither can explain or understand.
Rebecca Storm brings a wonderful warmth and steely determination to the role of Mrs Johnstone, as a proper Scouse mammy who just wants the best for her children, even to the detriment of her own happiness.
At the other end of the scale is Paula Tappenden as Mrs Lyons, equally determined to give her child everything but always teetering on the brink of her horrific secret ever being uncovered.
The story is mainly told through the role of a narrator (Robbie Scotcher). His everlooming presence is a fantastic vehicle for the lingering threat of a past preparing to burst into life.
Joel Benedict is fabulous as Eddie but the star of the show is Alexander Patmore as Mickey. He’s wonderfully evocative in every era of his role, from a seven-year-old boy to a rough-and-tumble teen to a lovestruck youngster to a battle-hardened man. He captures every nuance of the character perfectly. My only gripe was the wonderful orchestra at times drowning out the solo singers just a little but it’s a minor quibble about an otherwise wonderful show.