Blood Brothers receives standing ovation at Chester Storyhouse

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 14:03 · Archive

Willy Russell's musical Blood Brothers received a standing ovation at its opening night at Chester Storyhouse on Tuesday.

Willy Russell's musical Blood Brothers opened at Chester Storyhouse on Tuesday evening to critical acclaim, with audiences giving it a standing ovation. The award-winning production, which runs until Sunday, tells the story of two identical twins separated at birth when Mrs Johnstone agrees to give one of her newborn sons to Mrs Lyons, the woman she works for as a cleaner.

The twins grow up at opposite ends of the social spectrum in Liverpool, unaware of their connection until they discover they share the same birthday and become 'blood brothers'. Vivienne Carlyle played Mrs Johnstone, whilst the twins were portrayed by Sean Jones as Mickey and Joe Sleight as Edward. The Chester Standard notes that the production explores themes of family, class and nature versus nurture, with the play deftly narrated by Kristofer Harding.

Despite its downbeat themes centred on poverty, crime and social injustice, the musical drew laughs from the audience, particularly from Jones's comic performance. The Chester Standard reports that several audience members were in tears by the production's tragic conclusion. Cheshire Live notes that Blood Brothers has been successful worldwide for more than forty years, performed in places from Japan to Australia to Siberia, testament to Russell's ability to create universally resonant stories.

Blood Brothers receives standing ovation at Chester Storyhouse — Image: Chester Standard

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Willy Russell's evergreen musical Blood Brothers hits right note at StoryhouseTHE POIGNANT examination of family, class and nature versus nurture was a hit on opening night at the Storyhouse in Chester.Chester Standard · 14 Oct, 13:15
Review: Blood Brothers leaves Chester Storyhouse audience in rapturesWilly Russell's musical may have depressing themes but it never fails to inspire a standing ovationCheshire Live · 14 Oct, 12:07

In this story: Willy Russell · Chester Storyhouse · Liverpool · Vivienne Carlyle · Sean Jones · Joe Sleight · Kristofer Harding

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem