Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - Blood Brothers is gripping, nostalgic, and performed with total heart

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On Tuesday, we went to Lowry to watch Blood Brothers. Read what our reviewer, Lizzie Johnston thought about this fantastic musical...

Blood Brothers returned to Lowry this week, and somehow, this year’s performance felt even stronger, sharper, and more emotional than the brilliant production I saw in 2024. It’s one of those shows that carries a bit of nostalgia for me as, like many people who grew up loving theatre, I studied it for GCSE Drama so, every time I see it, I’m taken straight back to classrooms, group performances, and dog-eared scripts. Walking into a theatre full of school groups definitely brought that full-circle feeling.

Willy Russell’s story of Mickey and Eddie, twins separated at birth and raised on opposite sides of the class divide, never loses its impact. It’s funny, heartbreaking, political without overreaching, and packed with moments that punch you right in the chest. Even knowing the ending (and who doesn’t, after studying it?), the emotional weight still lands as heavily as ever.

Vivienne Carlyle (Blood Brothers, Saltimbanco, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) once again delivered a beautiful, deeply human performance as Mrs Johnstone. There’s such warmth to her presence, even when the character is crumbling inside, and her vocals were stunning, particularly during the final sequence, which left the entire auditorium silent.

Sean Jones (The Turnip Field, Wave Me Goodbye, Macbeth) and Joe Sleight (Wicked, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blood Brothers) continue to be a phenomenal pairing as Mickey and Eddie. Their childlike energy in the early scenes had the audience laughing out loud, but it’s the shift into adulthood where their performances really hit home. Jones’ descent into Mickey’s struggles felt even more raw this year, and Sleight’s bright, earnest Eddie was as endearing as ever, making their final moments all the more devastating.

Two cast changes added something new as well. Kristofer Harding (City of Angels, The Hired Man, From Here to Eternity) stepped in as the Narrator, bringing a firmer, more ominous presence that kept the tension simmering. Paula Tappenden (Company, Blood Wedding, The Light Princess) gave a gripping performance as Mrs Lyons - brittle, anxious, and quietly unraveling. Her dynamic with Carlyle emphasised the class differences in a way that felt sharper this time around.

The set remained the same as previous tours with the terraced houses on one side and the more polished Lyons home on the other, and it still works brilliantly. It’s simple but effective, and it keeps the focus on the characters and storytelling rather than spectacle.

The audience atmosphere was wonderful. It was a real mix of school groups, families, older theatre lovers, and people seeing the show for the very first time. The laughs were genuine, the gasps were loud (the gunshots got me for the second year in a row), and when the cast hit the final note, the entire room shot to its feet instantly. It felt like everyone needed a moment to breathe before applauding.

Blood Brothers is such a rare kind of musical, it’s one that blends humour, heartbreak, and social commentary with complete ease. And somehow, despite having seen it before, this production felt even richer. Whether you’ve studied it, grown up with it, or are discovering it fresh, this run at Lowry is absolutely worth catching.

WE SCORE BLOOD BROTHERS...

Blood Brothers is on at Lowry until Saturday 22nd November 2025.