Nayland College brings Blood Brothers to the stage
Samantha Gerritsen (Mrs Johnstone) and Dylan Welsh (Narrator) at the climax of the show among the dead twins Eddie and Mickey with Mickey’s wife Linda, played by Malachi Ng, Marcus Scott and Iris Moffat. Photo: Tim Cuff.
Nayland College’s annual musical is taking the stage at the Theatre Royal this week, with the first show on tonight.
‘Blood Brothers’ is the chosen show for the school this year, and director and producer, Ross Gerritson, says the cast of 17 have “stepped up to the challenge” of performing a more “complex” musical.
“Blood Brothers is a change in style for us. There are more adult themes, and it’s very different from our last two shows, The Addams Family and Seussical,” he explains.
“It’s far more intimate, but they are loving being on stage and the dramatic challenges.”
Blood Brothers, a musical by Willy Russell, revolves around twin boys (Mickey and Edward) who are separated at birth and brought up in completely different environments in the city.
Mickey is brought up with his seven older siblings by his struggling single mother, Mrs Johnstone. His twin brother, Edward, however, is brought up as the only child of the wealthy Lyons family.
Mickey and Edward meet each other when they’re seven years old and immediately become best friends.
The bond continues when the boys are teenagers and both live in the countryside, despite them both being in love with Mickey’s neighbour Linda.
However, as they get older, the huge difference in their backgrounds pulls them apart and eventually leads to their tragic deaths.
“There is a reason why this is the fifth longest-running show on the West End,” Ross says.
“It’s super powerful and intimate… It’s certainly a tear-jerker, but there is also a lot of humour in the show that keeps the balance.”
There are additional 20 students involved backstage, as well as 10 staff members in different capacities.
An orchestra of 12, including 10 students and two adults, will accompany the show and Ross says they are excited to be the first musical to try out the new PA system at the theatre.
Ross encourages the community to come out and support the show.
“This is a rare opportunity to see a slightly different side to musical theatre.”
Blood Brothers is on from Thursday 3 April until Saturday 5 April for four shows only, including a matinee performance on Saturday afternoon. For show times and to book tickets, go to www.theatreroyalnelson.co.nz