When he first saw Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers in the 1980s, David Kramer knew that this heart-wrenching tale of twin brothers separated at birth because their mother couldn’t provide for both would adapt dramatically with a Cape coloured backdrop.
He was right. The political landscape of the time isn’t pushed, but we know it’s there with ref- erences to District Six and the Cape Flats. Enough said. It adds to the seething anger of one brother who feels betrayed by the riches of the other even if he doesn’t know the full story.
It’s a tear-jerker that will appeal to the whole family and has masterfully been adapted and staged by Kramer, who filters his language in such a way so that South Africans understand this community, as they speak in a tongue that is uniquely their own.
In a show with 79 scene changes, you have your work cut out for you, but Kramer uses evocative projection and sliding backdrops to create the mood and the setting which aids rather than hampers the episodic nature of the events.
From the start, we know this won’t be a happy tale, but with a sparkling cast, it’s a joy to behold.
As the long-suffering mother, Mrs Johnston, Le Grange is the anchor of the piece. She is at the centre of the action and in a gener- ous performance and with a voice to match, she holds the attention and evokes empathy for a woman who isn’t given much choice, but grabs what life gives her with heroism.
As the twins, Gordon and Bailie smartly switch from children to young adults and because the same actors play the boys at every age, it establishes a bond between the characters that works well in the story.
The siblings are joined by the young Frankson as Linda, the woman in both their lives, in a bubbly, charismatic performance that contributes to the energy of the show. The duet between her and Bailie is a musical highlight.
Holding everything together is the wily Landrew as the narrator who brings gravitas to a story that spans a few decades and takes time to tell. It is his sharp comment, the poetic running commentary that reminds us how life turns on those who make decisions they cannot control and allow those with power but lacking empathy to rule the little life they have left. He is the one who constantly reminds us that nothing comes easy. It’s sometimes simpler to dismiss the sadness even with this tragic tale.
Ngaba didn’t quite show the confidence to commit to her ruth- less wannabe mother.
The music could have had even more local flavour and if money and space were not an issue, live musicians would have added to the vibrancy. The ensemble performances add fun, but sadly there aren’t too many with this musical which is driven by the telling of the story.
In a country with our diversity of cultures there are many stories to tell. The coloured community is one that is often neglected, especially on Gauteng stages. But when their stories surface, they are enthusiastic participants. Let’s hope that they know of this particular production with its magnificent cast.
Blood Brothers is a universal story that should be embraced by families this festive season, but personally, I would love to witness it with the community who are represented on stage.
It would add to the emotional intelligence of the night.