Blood Brothers
by Willy Russell

Name: Blood Brothers
Brand: Willy Russell
SKU: 9780413695109
Rating: 5 (7437 reviews)

Blood Brothers Book Cover — Blood Brothers Cover

Highlights

Medium Cast

Female

Male

120 mins1980sExpandable CastingUnit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod CostumesBritish

Awards & Recognition

Olivier AwardTony Award

Nominee: Six 1993 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book Winner! Two 1983 Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best Musical

What readers are saying

Readers generally find 'Blood Brothers' to be a powerful and emotional play that effectively tackles themes of class and family. Many appreciate the depth of the characters and the impact of the music, often expressing a desire to see it performed live. However, some readers criticize the heavy-handedness of the writing and the frequent musical numbers, feeling they detract from the story's potential.

Emotional and powerful storytellingWell-developed charactersImpactful musicTimeless themesHeavy-handed writingFrequent musical interruptions

Synopsis

A Liverpudlian West Side Story: twin brothers are separated at birth because their mother cannot afford to keep them both.

She gives one of them away to wealthy Mrs Lyons and they grow up as friends in ignorance of their fraternity until the inevitable quarrel unleashes a blood-bath.

'Willy Russell is less concerned with political tub-thumping than with weaving a close-knit story about the working of fate and destiny ... it carries one along with it in almost unreserved enjoyment" Guardian

One of the longest-running and most successful ever West End musicals

, Blood Brothers premiered at the Liverpool Playhouse in January 1983.

Press Reviews

"The most exciting thing to have happened to the English musical theatre for years."
— Punch

"Deeply moving."
— London Broadcasting

"There are so many good things to shout and sing about in this new musical."
— Daily Mail

"A genuine crowd pleaser...Blood Brothers remains a one-of-a-kind show...and no musical theater fan should fail to experience it."
— Theater Week

"For years we have...longed for a show in which words and music, characterization and songs are given equal weight... Blood Brothers is such an event."
— Time Out

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
MRS. JOHNSTONE (MOTHER): F	female	—	—
emale, 30’s Original Mother of Mickey and Edward. After her husband walks out on her, she is left to take care of her children. Constantly trying to do what is best. Gets a job as a maid to support her children. While she tries her best, she cannot escape the society she has been born into.	female	—	Original Mother of Mickey and Edward. After her husband walks out on her, she is left to take care of her children. Constantly trying to do what is best. Gets a job as a maid to support her children. While she tries her best, she cannot escape the society she has been born into.
NARRATOR	male	—	—
ble “Did y’ hear the story of the Johnstone twins?” Takes the audience through the important sections of the story. Truthful, yet ominous at times. Also appears as Milkman 1, Gynaecologist, Bus Conductor, Milkman 2, Teacher, Rifle Range Man.	male	—	“Did y’ hear the story of the Johnstone twins?” Takes the audience through the important sections of the story. Truthful, yet ominous at times. Also appears as Milkman 1, Gynaecologist, Bus Conductor, Milkman 2, Teacher, Rifle Range Man.
MRS. LYONS	female	—	—
30’s Mrs. Johnstone’s employer. Kind with good intensions but puts herself first—no matter the cost. Adopts Edward out of desperation towards her own insecurities. A compulsive liar who gets in over her head.	female	—	Mrs. Johnstone’s employer. Kind with good intensions but puts herself first—no matter the cost. Adopts Edward out of desperation towards her own insecurities. A compulsive liar who gets in over her head.
MR. LYONS	male	—	—
0-40 Proper Gentleman from the upper class. Is tricked into thinking his wife has had a child while he was on an extended business trip. Constantly busy, and leaves the homely responsibilities up to his wife.	female	—	Proper Gentleman from the upper class. Is tricked into thinking his wife has had a child while he was on an extended business trip. Constantly busy, and leaves the homely responsibilities up to his wife.
MICKEY	male	—	—
20’s Blood Brother raised in the poor part of town by Mrs. Johnston. A trouble maker pressured by the rules of society.	male	—	Blood Brother raised in the poor part of town by Mrs. Johnston. A trouble maker pressured by the rules of society.
EDWARD	male	—	—
7-20’s Blood Brother raised in the upper class by Mrs. Lyons. Grows up with a privileged life due to his foster parents—From his opportunities with education to women.	male	—	Blood Brother raised in the upper class by Mrs. Lyons. Grows up with a privileged life due to his foster parents—From his opportunities with education to women.
SAMMY	male	—	—
’s Mickey’s Brother. A bully and bad influence on Mickey. Constantly a trouble maker.	male	—	Mickey’s Brother. A bully and bad influence on Mickey. Constantly a trouble maker.
LINDA	female	—	—
7-20’s A lovely girl from the neighborhood. Finds the attention of both Mickey and Edward.	female	—	A lovely girl from the neighborhood. Finds the attention of both Mickey and Edward.

Videos

Blood Brothers 1993 Tony Awards

Available Editions

Format	Publisher	Year	Pages	ISBN-13	Price
Paperback · New	Methuen	1995	128	9780413695109	£2.98
Paperback	Hal Leonard	1990	72	9780711922211	£10.82
Paperback · New edition	Methuen	2009	128	9780413767707	£10.99
Paperback	Samuel French	1985	134	9780573080647	£11.39