How many middle aged leading ladies are there in the modern musical? Mrs Johnstone is the powerhouse we all deserve and whom Willy Russell delivered to us in 1983. 40 years ago, Barbara Dickson made her debut in the original West End production of Blood Brothers and musical theatre has never been the same since. Blood Brothers is a classic tale of class division, accompanied by a style of easy listening songs and one particularly impressive ballad delivered by our leading lady.

Set in Liverpool from the 1960s until the early 80s, Mickey and Eddie are twins separated at birth who, despite growing up in two distinctly different parts of the ‘street’, become the best of friends, unaware of their true connection. The audience observes these two ill fated blood brothers as they come of age together, before being torn apart by differences in class, privilege and circumstance.

Although the opening scene is perhaps a little slow for a modern audience, the first notes sung by Mrs Johnstone (played by Niki Colwell Evans) captivate theatregoers with its storytelling: often funny and sometimes tragic. The audience is charmed and enthralled as the character compares her own life to that of the eponymous Marilyn Monroe: a motif that continues throughout the rest of the story with regular refrains by Mrs Johnstone.

This production relies somewhat on a sense of nostalgia with few changes made since it first debuted forty years ago. What was once a groundbreaking new musical from a young, working-class, northern playwright that broke the West End mould and wowed contemporary critics, now seems quite dated. Ironically, for a story which spans multiple decades, Blood Brothers seems firmly stuck in the past.

This is highlighted during latter segments dealing with Mickey’s mental health. Multiple characters implore the troubled Mickey to stop taking ‘those pills’ in the belief that chronic depression is best treated with a positive outlook with the antidepressants prescribed viewed as detrimental to Mickey’s mental wellbeing and personal relationships. With our better understanding of mental health, these scenes are, at best, uncomfortable viewing and, at worst, offensive.

Fans of the original score will enjoy this walk down memory lane with the return of classic 80s synth and saxophone, whilst the simple staging, which remains (almost) entirely unchanged throughout, sets the scene whilst never distracting us from the story. A strong cast carry this production, with the Narrator and Mrs Johnston leading with emphatic performances and stellar vocals.

Although Blood Brothers hasn’t aged as well as Marilyn Monroe, this trip back in time is both enjoyable and comforting. When Mrs Johnston belts out ‘Tell Me it’s Not True’ at the show’s denouement, it brings a tear to the eye and the audience to their feet. Whether this is your first experience of Blood Brothers or you are a returning fan, it’s worth a watch.

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Sophie Eaton

Blood Brothers plays at Lichfield Garrick until 9 September, with further information here, before continuing its tour.