|
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2018 15:52:20 GMT
I'm a Warwick Evans fan myself. I did actually see Warwick Evans. I love him on the 1995 cast recording. Was a little disappointed in him live, I booked specifically to see his return to the show in the tour quite a few years back. Thought he was quite wooden but vocals were good. The main thing I remember was his magnificent, bouffant 80’s hair, which was spectacular and stole the show. Temporarily got Warwick Evans and Warwick Davies confused!.. ha Quite surprised Davies had been the narrator in Blood Brothers but Googled 'Warwick Evans' to see "his magnificent, bouffant 80’s hair" only to be completely disappointed and realise I was mixing up the two! |
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Oct 9, 2018 9:53:24 GMT
I did actually see Warwick Evans. I love him on the 1995 cast recording. Was a little disappointed in him live, I booked specifically to see his return to the show in the tour quite a few years back. Thought he was quite wooden but vocals were good. The main thing I remember was his magnificent, bouffant 80’s hair, which was spectacular and stole the show. Temporarily got Warwick Evans and Warwick Davies confused!.. ha Quite surprised Davies had been the narrator in Blood Brothers but Googled 'Warwick Evans' to see "his magnificent, bouffant 80’s hair" only to be completely disappointed and realise I was mixing up the two! You wouldn't be the first! People congratulated Warwick Davis with his new role when Warwick Evans reprised the role, and he found it very amusing. |
|
2,371 posts
|
Post by theatreian on Oct 10, 2018 21:27:31 GMT
A fantastic performance from Linzi this afternoon in what was one of my favourite performances overall of this wonderful show .The theatre was packed, a lot of school parties in (I wish I had been able to study Blood Brothers!) who were all well behaved. Linzi really acted the part as well as sung it so very well.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Oct 27, 2018 22:15:53 GMT
I have just seen Linzi Hateley as Mrs Johnstone and she was phenomenal! Alison Crawford was on as Linda, and I love her in that role too. The whole cast and band were amazing, it was a top-performance!
|
|
336 posts
|
Post by Roxie on Oct 31, 2018 0:36:25 GMT
I saw this last week in Stoke and it was brilliant! I’ve seen Linzi in many things and I think this is my favourite performance of hers to date. She sings it brilliantly, which is pretty much a guarantee but her acting is astonishing! She is warm and rueful and optimistic and downtrodden all at the same time, and the ending - well I have never seen such heartbreaking grief on stage. She must be exhausted, pulling that out of the bag 8 times a week.
I thought the show was throught provoking, tragic and funny. Not seen it for years and of course been humming the songs for the last few days.
Incredible performance (maybe even the best in the show, sorry Linzi!) from Sean Jones as Mickey. How he goes from 7 year old boy to downtrodden man in just over an hour is nothing short of remarkable. I also enjoyed Sarah Jane Buckley as Mrs Lyons and Robbie Scotcher as narrator. ALL the cast were fab, but they were the standout performances for me!
Maybe I’ll go see it again when it winds it’s way back to Stoke (I’m sure it’ll be back) wishing the cast best of luck with the rest of the tour!
|
|
3,325 posts
|
Post by Dr Tom on Nov 1, 2018 8:47:32 GMT
Saw this last night in Wimbledon for the first time ever (excluding one of the YouTube bootlegs from about 20 years ago, which I'm sure had many of the same cast).
Back row of the Stalls. A clear view of the bottom half of the stage, which I think is all you need and even better in the second half when a tall chap didn't return.
The seating was strange. Full for the first half of the Stalls, then about 6 completely empty rows, then a party of school children, then the back row (which also had some school children). I'm not sure why people weren't moved forward, or why the theatre didn't proactively consider reseating people who might be disturbed by the children.
To their credit, the children were mostly well behaved. A bit of talking, some rattles, checks of phones etc, but not much worse than any other audience. And the group did say "Excuse me" and "Thank you" when they left during the interval.
You also got the usual laughter from them every time someone swore, and (unfortunately) just before the climatic moment.
As for the show itself. Very good, particularly for Linzi Hateley. The whole plot resolves a bit too much around waving around guns for my liking, but I was relieved when there were only five gunshots fired during the show (and even more so to be near the back). Don't think I'll rush back, but I can see why people like it.
Also surprised that the running time for this is a full three hours (including a couple of extra minutes for a charity talk at the end). Even longer than The King And I. So bear that in mind if you're planning travel.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Nov 6, 2018 10:32:31 GMT
The appeal continues - the tour is at the Floral Pavilion at New Brighton this week, and an extra show was added due to a high demand.
All 9 shows this week are completely sold out.
|
|
336 posts
|
Post by Roxie on Nov 6, 2018 23:23:34 GMT
Oh bloody hell! 9 shows a week! That’s gotta be exhausting especially for Linzi who goes through the emotional wringer at the end of every show. I hope they get paid extra for the extra shows. Not surprised it’s selling ŵell at New Brighton - it’s apparently not on the south coast - but on the Wirral!! Who knew! 😂
|
|
526 posts
|
Post by danielwhit on Dec 1, 2018 21:01:17 GMT
When did the tour get a new lighting design? I've not seen the touring production for several years but I'm sure it has had a serious revamp. And no, I'm not getting confused with the London production, before anyone asks  |
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Dec 2, 2018 22:41:49 GMT
When did the tour get a new lighting design? I've not seen the touring production for several years but I'm sure it has had a serious revamp. And no, I'm not getting confused with the London production, before anyone asks They ramped it up for this leg, which has just finished in Oxford. Some people have commented on the same costumes and props being used for many years, but there have been various new items. I watched on Saturday-night, and it was amazing. Very good energy in the house. I had an aisle-seat on the far stage left, and realised after a while the two seats across the aisle more central stage were free. However, those seats were right in front of two teenage girls I got chatting to before the show, who had only seen (and one performed it) with school. They were so looking forward to it, and they were mesmerized, and on the edge of their seats. So I didn't move as it was a pleasure to watch them get immersed in the story and songs, and I would have ruined their view as I'm quite tall and broad. And after 52 times I kinda know the story anyway, I've been threatened by cast they're gonna put me on one night when they're low in numbers. Anyway, Josh Capper was on as Mickey, and he did a brilliant job! Of those 52 times I've seen it, I've seen Sean Jones as Mickey 50 times, so it was great to see a different take on the role. Linzi Hateley keeps drawing me in too, and I do hope she will be back on the next leg. The tour will start again on 29th January 2019 in Great Malvern. I add all tour dates I know of onto the events-section of the fan page on Facebook, and I run fanfeed @bloodbrostour on Twitter. www.facebook.com/groups/393979660775027/ |
|
312 posts
|
Post by macksennett on Dec 3, 2018 9:25:42 GMT
I hope Linzi continues as I’d like to see her, having missed her in Swansea. Malvern isn’t too far so am keeping my fingers crossed!
|
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Dec 9, 2018 21:34:47 GMT
I hope Linzi continues as I’d like to see her, having missed her in Swansea. Malvern isn’t too far so am keeping my fingers crossed! And thanks to fellow boardie Roxie I can confirm she is! Linzi announced it on the radio this evening. I'm well pleased! |
|
2,371 posts
|
Post by theatreian on Dec 9, 2018 22:59:15 GMT
Great news about Linzi. She was amazing as Mrs J, in what is one of my all time favourite shows.
|
|
312 posts
|
Post by macksennett on Dec 10, 2018 7:07:20 GMT
Fabulous! Is there a complete list of tour dates anywhere?
|
|
2,371 posts
|
Post by theatreian on Dec 10, 2018 8:52:26 GMT
Here are the dates to May:
29 Jan – 2 Feb
MALVERN Festival Theatre
01684 892277
BOOK ONLINE
5 – 9 Feb
SHEFFIELD Lyceum
0114 249 6000
BOOK ONLINE
12 – 16 Feb
NOTTINGHAM Theatre Royal
0115 989 5555
BOOK ONLINE
19 – 23 Feb
HIGH WYCOMBE Swan
01494 512000
BOOK ONLINE
26 Feb – 2 Mar
BOURNEMOUTH Pavilion
0844 576 3000
BOOK ONLINE
12 – 16 Mar
BILLINGHAM Forum
01642 552663
BOOK ONLINE
19 – 23 Mar
KILLARNEY INEC
00 353 (0)64 66 7155
BOOK ONLINE
26 – 30 Mar
CASTLEBAR Royal Theatre
00 353 (0)94 902 3111
BOOK ONLINE
2 – 6 Apr
TORQUAY Princess
0844 871 3023
BOOK ONLINE
9 – 13 Apr
SALFORD Lowry
0843 208 6000
BOOK ONLINE
15 – 20 Apr
LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru
01492 872 000
BOOK ONLINE
23 – 27 Apr
BLACKPOOL Opera House
0844 856 1111
BOOK ONLINE
30 Apr – 4 May
SOUTHSEA Kings
023 9282 8282
BOOK ONLINE
7 – 18 May
LEEDS Grand
0844 848 2700
There are other dates after that as I know it is on in Birmingham at the Hippodrome late September into October but not sure how long Linzi is extending for.
|
|
312 posts
|
Post by macksennett on Dec 10, 2018 12:27:57 GMT
Thanks theatreian, looks like I’ll be off to Malvern for a cheeky matinee at the start of the tour!
|
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Dec 10, 2018 13:38:08 GMT
Fabulous! Is there a complete list of tour dates anywhere? I'm an administrator for the fan page on Facebook, and I put all the dates I know in the events-section. This now has a few dates from August 2019. www.facebook.com/groups/393979660775027/ |
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Jan 12, 2019 22:48:16 GMT
Never thought I'd see the day, but Sean Jones, who has played Mickey since approximately 50 B.C., is leaving Blood Brothers.
His last performance will be on Saturday 23 February 2019 in High Wycombe.
I have seen it 54 times, and 50 of those times was with Sean. I will be sad to see him go - his portrayal as Mickey made me realise all was not well in my head, and he has given me invaluable advice and support over the years.
He will be missed by many fans.
More cast-news to follow soon.
|
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Jan 12, 2019 22:52:48 GMT
Good for him.
Will be nice to see him in something new.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Jan 25, 2019 22:45:21 GMT
Will be sad to see Sarah Jane go, but when you look at her recent tweets, it's not hard to work out where she's going.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2019 10:30:34 GMT
Will be sad to see Sarah Jane go, but when you look at her recent tweets, it's not hard to work out where she's going. Where's she going? Calendar Girls? |
|
316 posts
|
Post by martello736 on Jan 26, 2019 15:24:34 GMT
Am I right in thinking the Blood Brothers tour runs from August / September to May ish time each year? So maybe they’re just leaving for this year? I know Mark Hutchinson has missed a couple but is still a regular and has been since the invention of the wheel.
|
|
|
|
Post by hannechalk on Jan 26, 2019 16:34:29 GMT
Am I right in thinking the Blood Brothers tour runs from August / September to May ish time each year? So maybe they’re just leaving for this year? I know Mark Hutchinson has missed a couple but is still a regular and has been since the invention of the wheel. Their contracts run from August/September to November, then January till May. It's very unusual for any cast-members to leave in February, never mind two of the main cast. |
|
214 posts
|
Post by BoOverall on Jan 27, 2019 20:23:05 GMT
Still one of my favourite pieces of theatre, even having seen it scores of times with various cohorts of students over the years, plus several of its early incarnations.
My favourite ever Mrs J was played by Joanna Munro, who understudied the part. She made a terrific Mrs Lyons, but her Mrs J was magnificent.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2019 22:13:30 GMT
Still one of my favourite pieces of theatre, even having seen it scores of times with various cohorts of students over the years, plus several of its early incarnations. My favourite ever Mrs J was played by Joanna Munro, who understudied the part. She made a terrific Mrs Lyons, but her Mrs J was magnificent. I always found her Mrs Lyons to be too far into the crazy/melodramatic side. i never got to see ger play Mrs J. She was Mrs Lyons for years it seems. |
|
