Blood Brother's Back With Added Spice!

There was a hint of spice to Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers when the touring production arrived at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre last week.

Former Spice Girl Melanie C returned to the role of the iconic Mrs Johnstone fresh from her massive success in the West End. Melanie leaves behind her girl band days completely with this role and award nominations for this part show that Sporty was definitely the talented member.

Melanie was delighted to reprise her role of Mrs J. for her home crowd and allowed herself a break from recording her fifth solo album.

Since the show began in 1983 the people of Liverpool have really welcomed the show as a part of their culture. It’s a spectacular show with real gritty drama and a fantastic musical score.

It is the story of the Johnstone twins, how one was kept and one was given away. And how through the twists and turns of fate the pair died on the same day. A timeless tragedy set in Liverpool that highlights the era between the 50s through to the 80s and the class divide is a very strong theme throughout.

I saw the West End show in April and this touring production was equally as brilliant. Melanie was on form, her voice really shines in the theatre. I was surprised Melanie could act, I knew she was a great singer, as I am a big fan. Her acting ability was superb, through the acting scenes and the songs you could really hear and feel the emotions that she was trying to portray through the character.

An absolutely faultless performance, and the sign of a true star is when you forget about the person playing the part and feel for the character they are playing. This is what Melanie managed with ease.

Denbigh’s Sean Jones played the part of Mickey, the twin that stayed with his mother. I have had the pleasure of seeing Sean in the touring show three times. He was amazing every time. Particularly this time around he was outstanding. When he was on stage with Paul Davies who played Eddie, the stage came alive as we witnessed the true power of Willy Russell’s writing reaching its audience.

Sean Jones as Micky with Paul Davies as Eddie

The role of Mickey is the essence of the show, from the comedy of his childhood right through to his depression when he is older. Sean plays both parts really well, the most powerful perfomance comes when Mickey is released from prison and as he hits complete despair.

My favourite song in Blood Brothers is Easy Terms, as it really sums up the entire show and also Light Romance where Melanie’s voice and acting ability came into play. I particularly enjoy the twins songs Long Sunday Afternoon and That Guy. It was thrilling to see them engage so sweetly and the acting ability on these songs from both Sean and Paul was awesome.

Special mention has to go to Robbie Scotcher the narrator, he held the show together and he made the show engaging. He had the power in his voice to really belt out his parts especially on Madman. His presence was both spooky and endearing as he tells us the story and acts as the devil throughout.

Also to Kelly-Anne Gower in the role of Linda, we could feel the chemistry between her and Sean. Again her portrayal from child to woman was faultless and incredibly entertaining. 

Willy Russell’s tale is a thoroughly enjoyable show that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. If you can’t catch Melanie then fear not, the entire cast are phenomenal. 

Melanie sang with heartfelt emotion in the finale with Tell Me Its Not True. Her quaking voice uttered absolute heartache and had the audience in floods of tears.

Rightly so, the crowd hollered for four encores with a standing ovation throughout as the brilliant cast took their bows.

The cast taking their bow in the finale

By Scott Williams 

Twitter @ScottyWills

Oklahoma! At Rhyl Pavilion!

Popular musical Oklahoma! arrived at Rhyl’s Pavilion Theatre on Tuesday bringing some American sunshine to theatre goers with their five night run in the town.

I was there for the opening night where the fantastic cast performed to a packed theatre eagerly awaiting dazzling dance sequences.  For most of the audience it was a chance to relive the very reason why this musical has become a classic since it opened on Broadway in 1943.

Oklahoma is the story of a rivalry between cowboy Curly and hired farm hand Jud. Both competing for farm girl Laurey’s affection and take her to the box social. 

The famous songs all feature from the opening score of Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’  moving on to The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, Kansas City, and People Will Say We’re in Love.

Legendary actress Marti Webb was superb as Aunt Eller, portraying the real essence of the community throughout. I feel the character is under used as I was waiting for her to belt out a tune.

Local boy Mark Evans was cast in the lead role of Curly. He was a finalist in the UK Eurovision selection show and more recently was seen in the Rocky Horror tour. His voice was outstanding and he really managed to captivate the audience with his acting ability and accent.

Equally as brilliant was Gemma Sutton as Laurey who portrayed the girl next door with ease and her powerful voice reached the top of the theatre. Although, she did have trouble keeping with the southern accent in parts.

My favourite character in the show was Ado Annie played by Michelle Crook. Her witty performance of such a comical character held the show together. Understudy Ste Clough as Will Parker, Ado Annies love interest, played his part smoothly and their pairing really added that special magic to the show as a whole.

Special mention has to be for Peter Gallagher as the outsider Jud. His portrayal of loneliness and despair were both comical and totally captivating. Peter was the strongest performer of the night especially on Lonely Room.

Overall the cast performed well as an ensemble, the dance routines were slick and well choreographed. The sets were magnificent and the spine tingling show stealer was definitely the title song Oklahoma! The stage came alive as the whole cast belted out the number during the finale. 

By SCOTT WILLIAMS

Go Disco Joe!

Joe has gone Disco with his debut album! Our Xfactor winner has finally landed with a pure pop album thats much more fun than any of the previous winners of the show. 

Leading the party is the first proper single released from McElderry, the camp and infectiously fizzy Ambitions. Do you know the moves yet??! 

Then into Someone Wake Me Up, the fast paced delight should have been the first single. Its a anthemic tune. 

Of course it wouldn't be the Joe we know and love from the telly without a couple of ballads. His vocals shine on Superman and the summery Smile

My favourites on the album are Real Late Starter, it shows he has a wicked side to him and a sense of humour that goes with it! Also the Scissor Sisters sound-a-like on the highly camp Fahrenheit. 

Keeping the album upbeat with Until The Stars Run Out and Feel The Fire, both good songs, but do not stand out as well as the rest. 


The Climb also features as a bonus track. Enough said. Really doesn't fit with the rest of the album. 

By far the best song on Wide Awake is Love and War, its a sparkly song and very melodic. And its incredibly catchy!

But my personal favourite is Real Late Starter, I like the attitude of the song and I can relate to it. It will be one of three songs that you will still be humming when you have finished listening....(Love and War...Fahrenheit) 

Overall Wide Awake is a joyous disco-dazzler!

http://www.joe-music.com/