Blood Brothers
Presented by The Wednesday Players
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
WED 11 - SAT 14 September 2019

Blood Brothers is the hugely popular story by the well-known author of Educating Rita, Willy Russell. It is fast-moving and perceptive, entertaining and thought-provoking, funny yet ultimately tragic. It tells the tale of two working class boys who are born into a large working-class family and what happens when their mother decides to have one of them adopted. Blood Brothers looks at the differences and conflicts of their upbringing, their relationships with each-other and with their real and adopted mothers.

We talk to Claire Curtis (below), director of the play to find out why she chose this particular play to direct and how she discovered her love of drama!

• First of all can you tell us a bit about yourself, and what you do when you're not directing The Wednesday Players?

I currently work at Shoeburyness High School, in the Theatre Arts Department and have worked there since 2002. I’m married to Dean, who also works at the High School; we met there, not as staff but as pupils, many years ago. I am a mother to two girls, Isla and Blossom.  I enjoy going to the theatre, walking and painting.   I am also at present vice chair of The Wednesday Players.

• What gave you your love of drama and theatre?

I have always enjoyed going to the theatre. I remember from a young age, for one of my birthday presents, going to watch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Jason Donavon and again with Philip Schofield. I was hooked by the magic even then. 

Whilst growing up I was involved in charity concerts organised by one of my very musical primary school teachers, Mr Galley. We performed concerts at the Cliffs Pavilion.  I remember one year I was given a solo; I think it was a welsh lullaby. I'm sure he was being kind by giving me that solo, as singing wasn’t really my strong point but I believe Mr Galley was the main reason I started performing. I recently spoke with him and said how strange it is that he put me on the stage and now I help put all these pupils I teach on the stage. 

• How have you got to be involved with Wednesday Players?

I wanted to join a theatre group as a hobby. The aim was to develop more as a performer and also so I had experiences I could refer to first hand in the classroom with my pupils.  I liked the family feel The Wednesday Players had and they concentrated more on the drama aspect of performing, which was more my forte.

• Why did you choose to direct Blood Brothers?

I chose to direct Blood Brothers for a number of reasons.  Firstly, I enjoy the story and know it well. I needed to pick a play I was comfortable with and enjoyed, as I was going to be spending my whole summer working on it.  Secondly, I knew that schools studied Blood Brothers, either in Drama lessons or in English, so I thought that increases the possibility of group bookings.  Finally, I know that the title Blood Brothers is one that will sell, as people love the story; and it's very popular.  We sold over fifty percent of our tickets within the first couple of weeks of them being on sale, so my prediction was correct.

• For anyone who doesn't know, what's the play about?

The play is briefly about two twin boys who are separated from birth and live apart not knowing the other one exists. One is kept by his birth mother a working class, single mother with lots of children and the other one given to a middle class childless lady. Throughout the story this secret is kept from the boys by their mothers, but it doesn’t matter how hard they try and keep the boys apart, they are always drawn back to each other. The story’s main theme looks at class and how the two boys’ lives go on very different paths due to the privileges or disadvantages of their upbringing. The story takes a very dark path when the truth is finally out.

• Did you see the show when it was in the West End?

I did see the musical version in the West End. I remember being very moved, enjoying the story and the way it was staged and the balance of comedy and tragedy. I love a musical, actually more than a play (which is not something a Drama Teacher should say) and it would have been great if we were able to put on the musical version but unfortunately the rights are not available.

• Tell us about this version of the show because it is different to the West End version isn't it?

This version differs from the West End version mainly as it’s not the musical. This version is the play version. One song is still included but that is it.  I believe the play was written first and it was adapted and padded out with songs and a few more characters for the musical.

This version is a one act, hour long performance. So it's shorter than the West End show. It follows the same main theme of the class system and nature versus nurture and the story is very similar.  So fans of the musical version will still enjoy this play.

One character I think is played slightly different in this version is Mrs Lyons, the posh, middle class mother. She is slightly more crazy in the play and even though the ending is the same as the musical, the part Mrs Lyon plays in the final scene is a lot more sinister and darker.  A great character to play.  If I had to play one of the parts in this story, Mrs Lyons would be the character I would like to be.  It’s like you see her slowly go insane in front of the audience’s eyes.

The cast in rehearsal below:

• Does it matter that you are only allowed to perform one of the songs from the original production?  Why is this?

Due to this being such a big named show it comes with many restrictions. We were only allowed to do four shows, no more. We can’t add any songs or music, only the one that’s in the script, which is the opening number Marilyn Monroe. We are also not allowed to use any footage of the play for advertising purposes.  I understand the restrictions as the title 'Blood Brothers’ is an entity in itself and people come to watch it knowing what they are going to get.  It doesn’t matter to me as it’s still going to be a good show. The restrictions do hold back some of my creative ideas but we have worked around them and I feel I have still been able to add my stamp on it, without changes the style. 

• It is known for using adults to play children - has this been a challenge for the actors?

The main actors have to play their characters at different ages in their lives, as the story covers a large time scale. This makes it interesting for them and a challenge. We have focused on, firstly in the auditions and then the rehearsals, their characterisation skills. They have to rely on their acting ability and vocal skills, along with a small costume change to show the audience that they have aged.  It’s really interesting to see how the character changes from this really lively seven-year-old to a grown adult with very adult issues and worries.  Like my last play I directed for the Wednesday Players, I have a few ex Shoeburyness High School students, who went on to University to study acting, so I know that the characters and the play is in very safe hands.  

• Do you have any other projects lined up once Blood Brothers is over?

I am not currently down to direct the next Wednesday Players play. I do enjoy directing but I might give someone else a go. You never know though, so watch this space. 

Once back to school in September, myself and the lovely Theatre Arts team at Shoeburyness High School, are starting rehearsals for We Will Rock You, which we perform at the school at the beginning of December.  This takes a lot of our time, but the result is amazing. There is something in the water at Shoebury, because the talent we see come through our department is outstanding. We don’t just put on any old school production; they are on a different level. For this one we have three casts, as we have so many talented pupils to choose from. Last year we not only won the NODA award for Best Youth Production in our region for Made in Dagenham, but we also won Best Production. I believe the first school to do so. 

I plan to audition for the Wednesday Players pantomime which we put on every January at the Palace Theatre.  Even if I don’t get a part, I will still be involved in that, alongside my eight-year-old daughter who has now performed in two of our pantomimes. This year it's Jack and the Beanstalk. I really enjoy performing so am looking forward to this show.

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For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Please note: This is Blood Brothers - The Play. This is not the musical version.
This is an amateur performance.
£12
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.

Cast
​Ian Scoging - Narrator, James Gordon- Mickey, Daniel Stephens- Edward ,Mother (Mrs Johnstone)- Isobel Hine, Mrs Lyons- Jessica McCallister, Megan Fane- Linda, Joshua Sweeting- Doctor, Milkman, Liz Hine- policewoman
Ensemble actors- Alice Gough, Yasmine Milla, Pauline Sandgrove, Grahame Marshall, Dorrie Marshall, Freddie Macal, Kayleigh Brown