Rating: *****
Cast: Craig Price, Maureen Nolan, Sean Jones, Robert Collyer, Kelly Anne Gower & Tracy Spencer
This classic musical about twins separated at birth in different social classes had me gripped into the story the moment the Overture started, showing the grim prologue to this tragedy, with it's unforgettable tunes you'll be humming on your way home.
The plot surrounds Liverpudlian working class pregnant mother of seven Mrs Johnstone as she struggles to pay bills and look after her children after her husband walks out on her. She takes a job as a cleaner for the wealthy middle class couple Mr and Mrs Lyons, with Mrs Lyons desperately wanting a child of her own. When Mrs Johnstone discovers she's expecting twins Mrs Lyons suggests she give one of the babies to her and promising she'll see him everyday. However, the manipulative woman fires Mrs Johnstone and drives her away by making up a superstition that the twins will die if they find out they were separated at birth. The show spans throughout the twin's lives as children to teenagers and adults, falling in love with the same girl, showing how social class, superstition and recession can change other's perspectives.
Maureen Nolan was amazing throughout, making Mrs Johnstone appear real & as a character the audience can sympathise with throughout as she watches her sons' lives tear apart and end tragically. Sean Jones was hilarious as Mickey (the working class twin) playing an unusually convincing seven year old and fourteen year old making be laugh my head off. He really showed how Mickey grew up and played the role perfectly, as did Robert Collyer as the swearing posh Eddie, with his comical timing being perfect as his character grows up into a successful councillor & has everything Mickey could've wanted. Kelly Anne Gower was funny as Linda, making her kind and compassionate through until the end. Craig Price was amazing as the Narrator, leading the audience throughout the show and making him a rather sinister character. However, Tracy Spencer didn't win me over as Mrs Lyons & I thought she lacked to convince the audience just how evil & manipulative Mrs Lyons could actually be.
The set design was also interesting, making the illusion of the Liverpool inner-city slums and the countryside of Skelmersdale, as well as a fair during the Summer Sequence, with the lighting also helping to enhance the atmosphere of certain scenes.
Overall, this show is amazing, it made me laugh and cry throughout and without a doubt you'll enjoy this gripping tale with classic tunes such as the hailed 'Tell Me It's Not True.'
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