REVIEW: Blood Brothers at Sunderland Empire

Blood Brothers

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 March 2026

Willy Russell’s 1983 ‘Liverpool Folk Opera’ continues to draw standing ovations in its current incarnation, owing to its tried and tested blend of comedy, drama and social comment, plus the sheer visceral power of its climax.

It is a paradox that theatre of the comparatively recent past can sometimes seem to be more dated than shows from previous centuries. Some of us might feel this has happened to Blood Brothers. At least, I did when I first saw it 20 years ago. But this is to deny its importance in the evolution of musicals in Britain. It was extremely rare in the 1980s for musicals to feature the gritty realism and unpalatable truth of life in the underprivileged working class. Blood Brothers’ success, in winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and through extended runs in Britain and abroad, changed all that. Would we have had Spend, Spend, Spend, the splendid Viv Nicholson musical, or even the wonderful Billy Elliot without Russell’s work?

Since one cannot go back in time to experience the impact of the show when it first opened, the best one can do is probably to see this solidly produced revival, with a cast including actors who have been with the show for some time.

To summarise the plot, a slum-dwelling Liverpudlian single mother, unable to adequately feed her existing children, gives one of her new-born twin boys to a wealthy, childless woman. The two are sworn to secrecy and try to keep the two boys apart at all costs. 

Unfortunately, fate takes a hand, and the boys meet and become friends, the eponymous blood brothers. As they grow up and their fortunes diverge dramatically, the conflict between the two boys and the differing worlds they live in, ultimately leads to tragedy.

I make no apology for what sounds like a spoiler, as the outcome of the story is flagged up in the very first moments of the show. This may seem like a brave choice, but Russell’s skill as a dramatist means that it does not diminish the impact of the show’s denouement.

The score effectively serves the plot, rather than producing memorable or extractable songs, with the exception of the much-recorded Tell Me It’s Not True and, possibly, Easy Terms. There is very little in the way of dance, as the show maintains the feel of a play with songs that comment on the action, rather than staged numbers.

Central to the show are Mrs Johnston and the two boys, Mickey and Eddie, played respectively by Vivienne Carlyle, Sean Jones and Joe Sleight. All three have been with the show through various productions and their assurance and the level of detail the boys bring to their roles is clear evidence of this. The boys are both excellent, easily meeting the challenge of portraying their characters from young boys through to adulthood. Sean Jones, in particular, exploits every possible opportunity for comedy in his beautifully observed and vulnerable characterisation of the young Mickey.

On this occasion, I was not especially engaged by Vivienne Carlyle’s portrayal, either dramatically or musically. I am sure this is just a matter of personal taste and I must say she delivered the last note of the show, which is essentially a musical scream of despair, with great power and conviction.

The supporting cast were versatile and effective in portraying multiple characters. Kristofer Harding sang well as the wandering narrator and Gemma Brodrick was heartfelt and engaging as Mickey’s girlfriend and later wife.

Though I believe this show works best in a more intimate theatre, the audience reaction on this Tuesday night in Sunderland showed me how deeply audiences still respond to the show, and proved its emotion and social comment have retained their power over the 43 years since its debut.

Review: Jonathan Cash

Photos: Jack Merriman

How to Book

Dates:  Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 March 2026

Venue:  Sunderland Empire, High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX

Tickets:  From £15 — available at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland

Note:  A transaction fee of £3.95 may apply to online bookings