Featured image: Palace Theatre

Willy Russell’s multi-award winning smash hit musical, Blood Brothers, has just closed its doors in Manchester, with Joe Sleight and Josh Capper taking on the roles of Eddie Lyons and the intricate Mickey Johnstone.

Capper inherits the role from the long-standing Sean Jones who, before retiring from the role in November, had played the part of Mickey Johnston on and off in national tours of Blood Brothers for the past 15 years.

For a show with such a deep message and purpose, there are many light-hearted and laughable moments in the script, providing some relief from an otherwise troubled storyline – especially as the show progresses into act 2.

Following twin brothers secretly parted at birth and separated by class, Blood Brothers explores themes of friendship, awkwardness, superstition, love and betrayal. As the boys become men, both become victims of their circumstances and it’s one of very few musicals that ends in a tragic, yet completely realistic, catastrophe.

Niki Colwell-Evans returns to her role as Mrs Johnstone and stuns audiences night after night with her resounding vibrato across the majority of the performance’s hits, particularly the harrowing show closer, ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’. The role – as are many in the show – is exceedingly delicate and almost impossibly intricate.

The show opens with a happy, carefree young girl in her late teens who is almost immediately forced to grow up after having seven children by her mid-twenties. Colwell-Evans, however, makes the role look easy. She carries hints of the caring and girlish energy that her character had to grow out of too early, and gives the audience a clear sense of her courage and determination. There is also a visible twinge of tragedy and panic in her emotional portrayal of the character.

Josh Capper embodies Mickey Johnstone differently to what has been done in the past. A resounding sense of sadness hangs over his adaptation of the adult Mickey, as opposed to the solely angry portrayal one assumes from reading the script.

Although a gamble, Capper pulls off this transition seamlessly and propels the tragic ending even further. His voice harmonises perfectly with that of Joe Sleight and he weaves between emotions incredibly effectively, from the upbeat and comedic beginning of act two, to fiercely outlashing at his girlfriend (played by Gemma Brodrick). A subtle tour de force!

Carrying the weight of the privileged Eddie Lyons, Joe Sleight captures a tear-jerking sense of naivety in all the ages he plays throughout. It is incredibly interesting to see the way he intertwines this naivety and adapts it to work as both a privileged child and a privileged adult.

His vocals enhance his emotions and grip the audience as he brings about a kind and thoughtful version of Eddie who has not particularly worked for his position in life, but – unlike Mickey – has had the good fortune of having it handed to him.

A stand-out performance nod is also deserved for Gemma Brodrick, who plays Linda, and James Ledsham, who stars as the amazing Sammy Johnstone – a crowd favourite and a real noticeable talent whose anger can be felt in every corner of the theatre.

For more events at the Palace Theatre Manchester visit manchestertheatres.com/whats-on/palace-theatre_manchester.