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Blood Brothers, a musical based around a ‘nature versus nurture’ plot, begins a season at Centrestage Theatre this month.
The Blood Brothers cast, crew, musicians, volunteers and set-builders, have been hard at work preparing for the opening on June 10. The show is directed by Michael Sanders and choreographed by Anna Mortlock, with George Bonner as musical director.
The story is about twins who are parted at birth; Mickey (Tom Grut) receives a working class upbringing on a council estate while Eddie (Caleb Hogan) is brought up in an upper-middle class home. One becomes a Councillor and the other goes to prison. Despite their different social spheres, they unwittingly reunite and forge a strong friendship.
Originally created by Willy Russell in 1983, Blood Brothers deals with issues such as class division and family ties, while incorporating ‘laugh out loud’ moments and music.
In the Centrestage production, adults play the roles of Mickey and Eddie from early childhood to young adulthood. The two mothers are both played by local actors – Vauneen Stephens (the twins’ birth mother, Mrs Johnston) and Debbie Bate (Eddie’s adopted mother, Mrs Lyons). Debbie’s role requires portraying levels of madness as guilt turns into suspicion and paranoia.
Blood Brothers is on at Centrestage Theatre in Centreway Road, Orewa, from June 10–24. Tickets from www.centrestagetheatre.co.nz or through the box office, phone 426 7282.
