This was my indoctrination into theatre, 25 years ago. As fate would have it, through applying for employment whilst doing my business NVQ, I didn't get the job at the York Magistrates Court, but instead got one at the Grand Opera House. How bloody lucky was I?! I'd only ever seen film musicals before and heard the score to Phantom. This blew me away; I've seen it at least 20 times now and heard it more times; when we had the 2 week run, turned the speaker up in our office to hear every matinee whilst working. I had the pleasure of speaking to the great Bill Kenwright and working with his company to publicise this and Joseph. Now, home educating my daughter, I'm ecstatic it's one of the play options for GCSE English. Just wish I could find the 95 filmed version with Stephanie Lawrence, Warwick Evans and Paul Crosby. My favourite cast, hands down <3
As I watched the photos flash on the screen, I was amazed that I had seen so many of them perform in the show. But, I was fortunate enough to happen upon the show near the beginning of its run. I knew almost nothing about it, and I had no expectations about its quality. But, it was a case of love at first sight. I returned to New York with a copy of the original cast recording, and I revisited the show many times on subsequent trips to London. During the NYC run, I saw it a few more times and added some cast members not seen in that montage, including the incomparable Petula Clark, to my own personal list. The show is one of my favorite musicals of all time, and it touches my heart in a way that is impossible to explain. When I speak of it to others, I am sure they are perplexed as to why a guy who grew up on a farm in Missouri, then spent the bulk of his life living in NYC finds such kinship with this cast of characters. I do not have an answer, but surely it is that in writing the show, Mr. Russell focused on themes and created characters that are universally recognizable and who have universal appeal. As we watch the show, each of us feels that we are one of them, know someone like one of them, wish we were one of them or cannot get one of them out of our heads.. Then, just in case that was not enough, he wrote for the show the killer anthem "Tell Me It's Not True" to make it simply impossible to resist (not to mention that it also demonstrates his own astonishing versatility). For me, the deal was sealed. "Blood Brothers" will be in my heart forever (and I hope to see future revivals of the show ... hint, hint), and its music forever on my mind. I hope its creators, producers, casts, etc., know how much joy their efforts have brought to so many people around the world!
Is that Lynn Paul playing Mrs J? Saw her in Bristol a few years ago and she blew me away! My all time favourite though was Bernie Nolan. Saw it 12 times ... Still my favorite
I was first introduced to musical theatre by Blood Brother 'Long Sunday Afternoon/My Bestfriend' is my fave. absolutely love it. I agree we need a DVD.
Donna Berry I sang the songs when I was around 13/14 in my local summer school and I was hooked. I then sang Tell me it’s not true for my performing arts G.C.S.E exam and I got an A for it. I have never sang like I did then ever. I even cried while singing it. Think that’s what got me my A lol 😁They defo do need to bring a film out and soon 😊
I am so glad I discovered this cllip! Wonderful final curtain call in London! I only saw "Blood Brothers" once, on Broadway, in the early or mid-1990s, with Carole King as Mrs. Johnston and Adrian Zmed as the Narrator. I loved it them, and I still love it today, almost 20 years later. It touched my heart then, and it still touches my heart today. I am quite sure that "Blood Brothers" remains as my favorite musical, although others may have been fancier and more costly productions.
