Arts Club Theatre Company
Blood Brothers music, book, and lyrics by Willy Russell

Dates and Venue 17 November - 31 December 2011, Mon - Sat 8pm (matinees on Wed & Sat at 2pm) | Granville Island Stage

Reviewer Susan Peake

The Granville Island Stage was blessed with a myriad of exceptional talent on Wednesday, the opening night of Willy Russell’s time-honoured musical, Blood Brothers. This talent was not only represented on the stage but also in the audience (a full house), as many of Vancouver’s well-known local actors came to see their peers perform.

Although the story is a tragic one, it is interspersed beautifully with hilarious scenes that elicit joyful gasps from the audience. The setting is England and spans the ‘60s to the 80’s and chronicles the lives of two families, each on the opposite side of the ‘tracks’. The story begins with a destitute single mom of seven, working as a house maid, agreeing to give up one of her unborn twins to her well-to-do employer who is unable to bear children. This decision proves to be heart-breaking, as eventually, the twins meet and become best friends, unaware that they are actually brothers. Of course, life provides the adopted boy with all the trappings of upper-middle class opportunities, while the other boy is destined to scrap his way in the world, getting into trouble, and occasionally brushing with the law.

The codirectors, Bob Frazer and Sara-Jeanne Hosie, chose the cast well. John Mann, who is the lead singer of Spirit of the West, plays the narrator – and the ‘conscience’ that reminds the audience of the impending doom that will befall the two families as a result of giving away one of the babies. The commanding clarity of Mann’s voice is perfect for the role. His presence on stage exudes doom and gloom from his attire to his sweeping gestures whether on the moveable stairs, on the floor, or up on the bridge. The twins, Mickey (Shane Snow) and Eddie (Adam Charles) are brilliant as seven year-olds who banter back and forth as well as flit around the stage in behaviour expected of children that age. Terra C. MacLeod plays the poor Mrs. Johnstone, and displays her outstanding range of talent both as an actor and singer.

Strong performances were also given by Lauren Bowler, the twins’ love interest, Linda; Meghan Gardiner as the upper class Mrs. Lyons; Ashley O’Connell, the rough and tumble older brother, Sammy; and the always impressive Warren Kimmel as Mr. Lyons.

Several of the musical numbers were particularly entertaining, especially those that were combined with unique choreography. The most impressive was the Kid’s Game where the stage was filled with ‘children’ singing while chasing each other around in comical contortions that were perfectly timed to prevent any unplanned collisions. Well done!

Three musicians were tucked away backstage, and partially visible behind the cleverly constructed set that served as a spectrum of settings from gloomy back-alley to uptown chic. Although the plot may be considered unrealistic to some, it is after all a musical and there lies its strength, particularly as it is performed by this splendid cast.

© 2011 Susan Peake