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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Blood line still going strong
Blood Brothers The Nonentities **** AFTER 30 years and in a variety of different guises, it seems that the contemporary tale of the fated Johnstone twins can still attract an audience at any level as this current production of Blood Bothers by The Nonentities proves. On a hot summer night,
when most people would be more inclined to stay at home or sit outside,
the 200 seater theatre was filled to capacity. Whilst Blood Brothers the musical is as still
popular as ever, the play version here proves also that the basic truths
inside this working class ` rags and riches' story remain as vibrant
and informative as ever with its insights into opportunity, class , and
the workplace in this country. So, a brief synopsis for those that may not know
the story line; a working class and poverty stricken Liverpudlian mother
cannot afford to bring both of her new born twins up and so agrees to
give one away to her rich employer. The act sets in motion a chain of
events that, through the boys lives, leads to their fateful end. Mrs Johnstone was played by Marika Farr and
although this was not the musical version began the production with a
marvellous rendition of the opening song Marylyn Monroe. She has
a lovely voice and it would have been nice to have injected another song
along the way although a couple of simple acappella moments by her still
held the audience's attention.
The twin boys Eddie and Mickey were played by
Chris Drew and Nathan Lawrence respectively. Both of these gave great
performances capturing the evolving differences of the separated
brothers from children into young men with ease. Their love interest Linda, played by Rachel
Lawrence, again performed well and notably ,along with other members of
the cast, managed a very convincing Liverpool accent. The rich surrogate mother Mrs Lyons was played by
Louise Fulwell who did a nice job of portraying a self-obsessed woman
who descends into desperation and poor mental health. The Narrator was played by Richard Taylor and
again kept his thick Liverpudlian accent nicely in check whilst
delivering the connecting prose that links many of the scenes. The play is directed by Sue Downing and the
production team had built a very good set that featured some rear
projection that constantly changed the mood of the setting. The lighting
by David Goddard and Derek Taylor was also well thought out and
effective at creating some very nice changes especially for the
individual monologues. Throughout the evening there was something of an
uninvited level of audience participation with mutterings and response's
and a couple of mobile phones going off but the players never dropped
the beat and that is a good indication of their level of commitment in
delivering this high quality production. To 22-06-13 Jeff Grant |
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