Last updated 05:11, Friday, 14 November 2008

Blood Brothers, The Sands CentreCarlisleIt’s been selling out West End theatres for 25 years and last night it came to Carlisle as part of a touring theatre circuit.

I was told: “If you haven’t seen it. Go. If you have, go again.” And after last night’s outstanding performance I most definitely would.

Set in Willy Russell’s native Liverpool, the musical tells the captivating tale of twin boys, separated at birth only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret.

West End actress and singer Marti Webb takes on the role of hard up Liverpudlian mum Mrs Johnstone whose husband has left her for a Marilyn Monroe look-a-like.

When she discovers she’s pregnant again – and this time it’s twins – she decides to give one son away to her wealthy employer Mrs Lyons (Vivienne Carlyle).

Seven years later when her young son Mickey brings home his new “posh” playmate Eddie, Mrs Johnstone is forced to keep news of the twins brotherhood a secret.

The musical sets out to pull at all the heart strings and it does just that taking the audience right into the heart of a Liverpool torn by class divide.

Mickey (Sean Jones) grows up on the breadline in a council house, skips school and then works in a factory until he’s made redundant. He marries young and then does a stint in prison .

Eddie (Simon Willmont) has a privileged upbringing. He goes to private school and university and then becomes a councillor.

But the bond between the two will always bring them together – until Mickey discovers Eddie is really in love with his wife Linda (Suzanne Carley) and then jealousy gets in the way.

As he heads out, gun in hand, to confront him it is his mother, Mrs Johnstone, who follows and is forced to reveal her haunting secret.

But is it too late? This is sibling rivalry at its best.

Blood Brothers has it all. Plenty of laughs, especially during the first half of last night’s show, and tears too.

And Marti Webb, above, standing in for Linda Nolan, is very comfortable in her role.

Hats off to The Sands Centre for getting another superb West End musical to the city.

At times the sound was a little quiet for those Scouse one liners but overall a magnificent performance and well worth the ticket price.

PAM McCLOUNIE