Wednesday 19 August 2009

about Blood Brothers at the Bournemouth Pavilion

I had a bit of a health scare yesterday. I was quite frightened but, fortunately, I have a very good NHS doctor who's monitoring me carefully and I'm hoping to feel much better soon.

I tweeted that I'd had a bit of a scare on Twitter and, as ever, was amazed and touched at the many kind, supportive tweets I received in response. I'm aware that Twitter has come in for a bit of "flak" of late but you won't hear any criticism about it from me today. I'm very fond of my virtual friends and find that the incisive (and sometimes quite wicked) wit I read on the site lifts me when I'm feeling down and heartens me when I feel in need of a bit of virtual support.

I'd booked tickets for OP, Josh and myself to see Willy Russell's "Blood Brothers" at the Bournemouth Pavilion last night. It will be OP's birthday at the end of this month and as he'd seen the show many years ago and it had made quite an impression on him, he was keen to see it again. Tickets to see the show seemed to be a very good birthday present for him ... usually he never wants "anything" but I knew he'd appreciate this.

In all honesty, I really didn't feel very well and didn't feel too much like going to the theatre - however, as I'd bought the tickets and both OP and Josh were looking forward to going, it would have been churlish of me not to have gone too. We set out early, parked easily and had a super meal in Wagamama prior to the show and were in our seats on time. We sat in the Circle and we had a very good view of the stage.

The show was good - a very acceptable "touring" company production ... not, in truth, up to West End standards, but apart from some of the diction not being too clear and the air conditioning in the Circle not coping too well with the humidity of the night - it was a moving version of a good musical. Lyn Paul (who used to be in The New Seekers) took the rĂ´le of the Johnstone twins' mother and her voice was strong and clear throughout. I expect that many people are more familiar with Barbara Dickson's rendition of the show's main theme "Tell Me It's Not True" but Lyn certainly did justice to that song and others in the musical. She and Robbie Scotcher, who took the part of the narrator, carried the show and I was so glad I went. The cast received a well deserved hearty ovation and I wasn't alone in having tears in my eyes at the end.

So, after a not altogether happy or healthy day, when I wondered if the show should have been re-named "The Blood Pressure Brothers" especially for me - a little bit of culture has - as it often does - made me feel a whole lot better than I'd been feeling earlier. I was also lifted by the fact that OP had enjoyed his birthday present and that Josh, at the tender age of 12 years, understood the sociological connotations of the show and was - for one so young - also moved by it.

The production only runs until Friday of this week but, if you're in the environs of Bournemouth and can manage to obtain tickets, the show would certainly receive my recommendation!

14 comments:

  1. Hey, I love Blood Brothers. www.bloodbrothersthemusical.webs.com .
    Actually, many think that the tour is much better that the West End version, and you are very lucky to see Lyn Paul, as she is a brilliant Mrs. Johnstone, and has came back from especially to do just 2 weeks, as she 'finished', last year.
    It was her first night back, last night. I would love a programme, from Bournemouth. Any help?

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  2. If you click on the Bournemouth Pavilion underlined link within the body of the blog, you should reach the Bournemouth International Centre/Bournemouth Pavilion website which will have contact details - am sure they would be able to send programme to you. Thanks for your comment,

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  3. Hey, thanks. Feel free to check out my website, which includes an exclusive interview with Lyn Paul, herself, if you join, and more cast members!

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  4. Would very much like to check out your website but as you sign yourself as "Anonymous", I'm going to experience quite a lot of difficulty in finding it! Would you care to tell me who you are and perhaps let me have a link to your site so I can read it? Thanks!

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  5. Hey, yes, sure. I did put it on the first comment, actually. I'm 16 and a fan of the show.
    You would be helping me out quite a bit, if you were tell me the cast list for this.
    I am particualarly interested in who played Mrs. Lyons.
    Many thanks, once again.

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  6. Sorry, read your first comment very quickly & missed the link. Will definitely check your site out. (And I'm 53, so it must feel for you like you're writing to yout Grandms)! Am always glsd for anyone to resd, comment and even criticise what I write, so hope you'll keep in touch!

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  7. Hey, no of course it doesn't feel like that. I would really love to know who Mrs. Lyons was and Lyn Paul would be thrilled to hear that u enjoyed her performance. (I have her email address, so I email her).

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  8. No, of course I don't see it as that.
    I am particualarly interested in who played Mrs. Lyons.
    I'm sure Lyn Paul will be delighted to hear that you enjoyed the show, as I am in touch with her.
    Many thanks, once again.

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  9. Paula Tappenden played Mrs Lyons in the Bournemouth Pavilion production. She had sweet voice but diction was not as clear as perhaps it could have been (although that, of course, may have been due to sound system at the Pavilion). Lyn's voice was strong, tuneful, emotive and clear as a bell and - if you do email her - I was amazed to see how little she's aged since The New Seekers era. Still a great performer - and a generous one, too ... not of the "luvvie" ilk at all - I noted how she applauded her co-performers and the orchestra and am sure they appreciated that ... I know as a member of the audience, I'm always heartened to see a seasoned performer treat younger & less well known cast members with kindness and generosity of spirit. Please DO pass on my best wishes to her.

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  10. Who was in the rest of the cast?

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  11. Sean Jones - Mickey, Simon Willmont - Eddie, Anna Sambrooks - Linda, Danny Taylor - Sammy, Tim Churchill - Mr Lyons, Graham Martin - Policeman & Teacher, Polli Redston - Donna Marie, Graeme Kinniburgh - Bus Conductor, Paul Davies - Perkins, Olivia Sloyan - Brenda & David Cooper - Neighbour. Pavilion website should be able to give you further details of Band, Sound Electrical Crew & stage management. (Am starting to feel a bit like a franchise of IMDB)!

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  12. Hey, I'm sorry about that, I was just wondering about a few of them, as the production company's website doesn't update their site that often. However, my site is one of the best for keeping fans updated, I would like to think, and with your help, you have just let a whole load of Blood Brothers fans know who the knew cast is. By the way, last night, was the first night of the new run and the first night of Blood Brothers for some cast members, I think.
    Many thanks, and please stay in touch.

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  13. Don't mind "helping out" at all - just as long as you realise that I'm neither an expert nor a font of endless knowledge on such matters!

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  14. Oh, I know, but it's just that not many people knew of the new cast.
    Thanks.

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