Blood Brothers (the musical)

I saw this show last Sunday at Melville Theatre. It is one of those plays that both the characters and the music linger in the memory for quite a while after the event. Written by noted English author Willy Russell, the story is indeed poignant and plausible. I disagree with the description of it being "a Liverpudlian West Side Story" however. WSS was no less than a blatant rip-off of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' with some cool tunes added. 'Blood Brothers' is at least original, even if it is not quite Shakespeare and the production numbers are not quite as lavish. Having said that, I was impressed with the characterisations, both by principals and ensemble. I really thought we were watching a bunch of kids onstage in the opening number! I am aware that the ages of the actors varied markedly from the supposed ages of the characters, but was well able to suspend my disbelief on that score. On the whole, the acting and singing was first rate. The music and sound effects (recorded) were very good and the lighting also. The set, necessarily limited by the space available, was adequate to the task. Finally, I must declare an interest - the onstage gunshots in the final scene were excellent - thanks to MY GUN, 'Bertha'. (Please be gentle with her you guys!)