Blood Brothers, at PADOS House in Prestwich, written by 'Treble Cleff'

PADOS Theatre Group introduced its audience to whole new raft of refreshing new faces for their production of the gripping and gritty Willy Russell original play Blood Brothers, which was directed with sympathy and understanding by John Flay.

The intimate studio theatre in Prestwich was transformed into the terraced streets and homes on both sides of the class divide proves to be the ideal venue for this play, which predates the expanded large-scale musical of the same title.

Simple but imaginative, movable and revolving sets provided all that was required to transport the audience into the Liverpool of the 1960s.

Russell’s down to Earth writing told the story of working-class Mrs Johnstone, gloriously played in this production by Jill Mallen, who portrays with growing emotion the impoverished mother of an already large family who is forced to give away one of her new born twins to her rich and posh employer to save on the expense.

Emma Lacey gave us a very sensitive portrayal of the wealthy and manipulative employer Mrs Lyons seen in other productions as the villain of the piece, but sensibly directed and performed to expose the sadness in the life of this character.

We watched with complete dual credulity David Livesey (Eddie) and Tim Farnworth (Mickey)who grow in convincing style from seven year olds to ill-fated adulthood with two faultless performances.

PADOS is fortunate to have within its stable actors of their calibre capable of wonderful comic timing and equally home with the ultra drama of the play.

Katie O’Connor as Linda is the girl both the twins love brilliantly transformed from cheeky juvenile to long-suffering wife and proved the ideal foil for both the boys.

The story of a threat and a curse was moved along and brilliantly explained in a haunting and spooky monologue style by ultra-busy David Carroll as the narrator - a somewhat prophet of doom who also amazes the audience in other multi roles as Milkman/Doctor/Policeman.

The whole of the action was superbly backed in a variety of roles by Amanda Ernst, Peter Gibson, Scarlet Ordish, Neil Edmonds, Sandra O’Nions and Carol Halstead who compliment this talented young cast. Director John Flay has raised the benchmark for amateur theatre in the district.

To attend future productions, call the box-office manager on 0161 766 4510. The last show is on Saturday, October 25.