Blood Brothers, UK Tour (2026) Review
Written by Jenna for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review. All views are our own
Few musicals land with the emotional force of Blood Brothers, and at the beautiful Richmond Theatre, its tragic tale feels even more intimate. The theatre itself provides the perfect setting for this enduring classic; all ornate grandeur and old-world charm, with a steeply raked stage that somehow draws the audience deeper into the story’s inevitable heartbreak (and provides the perfect slide for the ‘kids’ to play). Combined with a simple yet effective set, with the lights of Liverpool or the green countryside as the backdrop, the production allows the characters and music to take centre stage.
For those unfamiliar with Willy Russell’s beloved musical, Blood Brothers tells the story of the Johnstone twins, separated at birth when their struggling mother gives one child away to her wealthy employer in a desperate attempt to give him a better life. Raised on opposite sides of the class divide, Mickey and Eddie unknowingly form a close friendship as children, despite their vastly different upbringings. What follows is both funny and devastating; a study of fate, inequality, and the cruel inevitability of circumstance.
At the heart of the production is Sean Jones as Mickey, delivering a performance that is nothing short of extraordinary. Jones is equally convincing as the excitable, squeaky-voiced seven-year-old scouser as he is the deeply troubled adult, weighed down by disappointment and addiction. His transformation throughout the evening is seamless, heartbreaking, and utterly believable.
Opposite him, Joe Sleight provides the perfect counterpart as Eddie. Privileged yet endlessly sweet-natured, Sleight captures Eddie’s warmth and innocence beautifully, making the bond between the two boys feel entirely genuine. Their chemistry anchors the production from beginning to end.
Meanwhile, Vivienne Carlyle is sensational as Mrs Johnstone. Her vocals are effortless and emotionally rich, soaring through the score with ease, while her maternal warmth makes every decision the character makes painfully understandable. It is impossible not to root for her, even as the walls close in around her.
Hovering ominously throughout is the Narrator, played with chilling intensity by Kristofer Harding. More than simply a storyteller, Harding’s Narrator becomes a constant reminder of the characters’ inner turmoil and the tragedy waiting patiently around the corner. His presence casts a shadow over even the production’s lighter moments.
The supporting cast are strong, bringing energy and humour to the production, particularly during the show’s many memorable musical numbers. Songs such as “Shoes Upon the Table” and “Marilyn Monroe” remain irresistibly catchy, balancing humour with foreboding in true Willy Russell fashion. Then comes “Tell Me It’s Not True” - a finale so emotionally overwhelming that there was scarcely a dry eye left in the theatre by the final note.
Funny, raw, and utterly heartbreaking, Blood Brothers at Richmond Theatre is a reminder of why this musical has endured for decades. Beneath its humour and toe-tapping score lies a devastating emotional punch that still lands with incredible power.
Blood Brothers plays at the Richmond Theatre until 25th April, or elsewhere on the UK tour.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
