'Blood Brothers'....

.....is, at first, a heart-warming and funny story of Mickey and Eddie, two brothers who are separated at birth. When Mrs Johnston, a working class poverty-stricken woman, already struggling to provide and care for her many children, gives birth to twin boys she reluctantly agrees to give up one of them to her affluent middle class employer, Mrs Lyons.

Mrs Lyons resolves to pass Edward off as her biological son and raise him wholly in her world. The boy's  familial relationship is concealed by both women because of superstition on one side and fear of loss on the other. Not even her husband knows the truth. Thus begins a fascinating tale of nurture versus nature that begins in the early 60’s, through the 70’s and into the 80’s.

Despite relocating, fate conspires to ensure the boys lives continue to intertwine when they are brought together again through friendship.

Mrs Lyons and Edward (Amber Sinclair & Rob Callaby) rehearsing on stage

Throughout the story the deep divisions between the privileged life of Eddie and Mickey’s poverty-stricken existence are wholly apparent. As they try to conquer the social divisions which hinder their friendship, they must deal with the harsh realities of class consciousness; Edward goes on to study at university whilst Mickey is forced into a life of drudgery and petty crime.

As young adults, they are caught up in a pseudo love triangle with Mickey’s childhood sweetheart  Linda, who is pushed into the arms of the conciliatory Edward. A desperate Mickey takes drastic action against his fraternal twin which will ultimately expose their true identities and lead to a double tragedy.

Willy Russell....

..... is well known as the writer of plays and films such as 'Educating Rita', 'Shirley Valentine', 'Our Day Out' and, of course, 'Blood Brothers'. He originally wrote and presented 'Blood Brothers' as a school play in 1981 in conjunction with Merseyside Young People's Theatre. He then developed the musical version for a production at the Liverpool Playhouse, in 1983, starring Barbara Dickson and Andrew C. Wadsworth. It was only a modest success. Nevertheless, the show transferred to London's West End on 11th April 1983 at the Lyric Theatre and ran until 22 October 1983, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical and another Olivier for Dickson's performance. It went on to become one of the longest running musicals in the West End and has been a massive success all over the world from Broadway to Australia.

Firstly I would like to thank the cast and crew for helping to produce such a fantastic show. I have been with St Nics for 4 years and have enjoyed every minute. To stage such a well known play has been difficult but very rewarding. It was made much easier by having such an experienced cast.

I have been performing since the age of 3 and took part in the opening of the Millennium Dome (now known as the O2). I have choreographed many shows and run Trapdoor Theatre Academy with Tom Millard. I have been teaching dance and drama for many years and I am currently the Dance and Drama facilitator at the Thomas Cowley High School. I hope you enjoy the show Gemma Page

CAST OF ST NICOLAS PLAYERS

PRODUCTION TEAM & CREW

St. Nics would also like to thank:-

The Spalding Guardian

Alison's Baby Carriages

Rory Millard