Carnivals of the Heart, in association with Samuel French, present Blood Brothers – written by Willy Russell (of Shirely Valentine fame), at the Playhouse Theatre, Somerset West, from Thursday September 22 to Saturday October 1.
The play is handled with sensitivity and care by critically acclaimed local director Daryl Spijkers, who recently directed the popular Wizard of Oz, Grease and Of Mice and Men.
The cast consist of Michelle Galloway, Garth Kitching, Liam Walsh, Jordyn Linklater, Nicolette Fernandes, Cameron Murray, Anne Walsh and Graham Kershaw – as well as a small cast of supporting actors – and in their hands the story comes to life, fizzing with child-like joie de vivre and soul aching tragedy.
The story is a contemporary nature versus nurture plot, revolving around fraternal twins Mickey and Eddie, who were separated at birth and one raised in a wealthy family while the other raised in a poor family. The twins’ different backgrounds take them to opposite ends of the social spectrum, one becoming a councillor and the other unemployed and in prison.
They both fall in love with the same girl, causing a tear in their friendship and leading to the sad and unexpected climax
The musical won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and went on to a 24-year run in the West End, becoming the third longest-running musical production in West End history.
David Kramer adapted and directed the South African version in 2012 – and this was the first time that Willy Russell had allowed the musical to be adapted.
Book at Computicket.