Standing ovation for a musical that simply has the lot

From the archive, first published Wednesday 25th Jan 2006.

Review - Blood Brothers at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday)

AUDIENCES at Malvern are normally a wee bit reserved - but not for the opening night of this, one of the great musicals of our time.

Here was the rare sight of a standing ovation for a truly outstanding production of a show which theatre fans know so well. It's all there again - the powerful songs, in particular the finale, the whole range of emotions, some fine acting - especially the `kids' playtime scenes, and above all the swift and seamless changes of time and place which always make this such an enduring and endearing show appealing across all age ranges.

Take a bow all involved - from the superb Sharon Byatt (Mrs Johnstone) through to those we couldn't see in the orchestra pit.

Nasally narrator Keith Burns captured your attention every time, but the eye catching performance was surely Stephen Palfreman's portrayal of luckless Mickey. Totally and utterly convincing from his early years to his last.

Just to emphasise its appeal the show's one week run was sold out some time ago, however you might be lucky with possible late cancellations.

Certainly worth checking with the theatre because this is guaranteed great entertainment from start to finish. AW

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