was first taken to see this show in London about 2 years ago as part of my drama course and after annoying my mum about how good it was and her becoming jealous we went to see it on tour first in Eastbourne then in Tunbridge Wells and I think we’re going to get tickets again for the one in London
***The Story*** The story I set in 1962 and revolves around two boys Mickey Johnstone and Eddie Lyons both from different backgrounds, one from a well off family (The Lyons’) and one from quite a poor but happy family (The Johnstone’s). The two boys become friends at the age of seven; we then watch them grow into adults. But there is a secret that Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons hold; Eddie is the twin of Mickey, who was given away at birth to an infertile Mrs Lyons. As the two grow up they become very close and are even in love with the same girl (Linda) Mickey gets into a bit of trouble when he’s older and is sent to prison, after getting out he is very depressed and Linda starts having an affair with Eddie, something that she regrets but she just wanted to feel loved. When Mickey finds he sets out on a mission to find his friend, with Mrs Johnstone and Linda hurrying after him, in a last ditch attempt to stop Mickey from Killing his twin, Mrs Johnstone finally tells the brothers the truth, but drastic consequences.
***The Theatre*** The show travels on tour but is always at home at the Phoenix Theatre, Tottenham Court Road in London’s West End. The Theatre is well organised and the views are great.
***The Cast*** The current cast for London is: Mrs Johnstone: Lyn Paul Narrator: Phillip Stewart Mickey: Richard Munday Eddie: Mark Hutchinson Mrs Lyons: Jacqueline Charlesworth Linda: Rebecca Reaney Mr Lyons: Stephen Pallistor Sammy: Michael Southern Policeman/Teacher: Andrew Blair Donna Marie/Miss Jones: Emma Thornett Perkins:Neal Andrews Neighbour: David Cooper Brenda: Joanne McShane Bus Conductor: Alex Harland
The current cast list for the UK tour is: Mrs Johnstone: Linda Nolan Narrator: Keith Burns Mickey: Sean Jones Eddie: Joe Fredericks Mrs Lyons: Tracey Spencer Linda: Linzi Matthews Mr Lyons: Mark Lawson Sammy: Barry Sloane Policeman/Teacher: Nicholas Charters Donna Marie/Miss Jones: Amy O'Niell Perkins: Philip Maggs Neighbour: Karl Greenwood Brenda: Lisa Taylor Roberts Bus Conductor: Leigh Jones
***The Music on the CD*** 1. Marilyn Monroe – Mrs Johnstone 2. My Child – Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons 3. Easy Terms – Mrs Johnstone and Narrator 4. Shoes Upon The Table - Narrator 5. Kids Game – All children 6. Long Sunday Afternoon - Mickey and Eddie 7. My Friend – Mickey and Eddie 8. Bright New Day – Mrs Johnstone and children 9. That Guy - Mickey and Eddie 10. Summer Sequence – Narrator with Mickey, Eddie and Linda 11. I'm Not Saying A Word – Eddie and Linda 12. Take a Letter Miss Jones – Mr Lyons, Miss Jones and Narrator 13. Light Romance – Mrs Johnstone and Narrator 14. Madman – Mrs Johnstone and Narrator 15. Tell Me It's Not True – Mrs Johnstone and cast
***Writer*** Willy Russell wrote the book and lyrics and also composed the all the music by himself
***Something quite clever that I found*** Having seen it three times there were bits that I saw the second or third time round that I didn’t catch at first, the main one being: At the beginning the narrator starts off with “Did you ever hear the story of the Johnstone twins…….”, and as he’s talking he undoes he jacket button, then at the end he ends with the same line and as he says it, this time he does his jacket back up. This I realised to be, him opening the story and closing it. I thought it was rather clever.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Great funny dramatic piece, only has two main characters, shows life as it really is for some people Disadvantages: Hard to understand the Liverpudlian accent in some places, is more suited to older readers
very helpful by (41%):
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