With Liverpudlian drama Blood Brothers heading to the Cambridge Arts Theatre, Miriam Balanescu catches up with cast member Gemma Brodrick
Blood Brothers has always been in my DNA,” says Gemma Brodrick, an actor from Liverpool set to take on the role of Linda in Willy Russell’s 1983 musical. The story centres on twin brothers, Mickey and Eddie, who are separated at birth. One, adopted, gets to live a life of luxury; while the other, squeezed into close living quarters with seven other siblings, languishes in poverty.
Over the course of several decades, the two brothers, not knowing they are related, are drawn back to each other. But as adults, they fall in love with the same woman, and their rivalry has severe consequences. Gemma plays this love interest alongside Sean Jones and Joe Sleight, a role she has been hankering after ever since she first saw the play at age 14. “It bridges the gap between being a musical and a play really well – better than most, to be honest,” she says. “It’s just so authentically me – that was why I was always desperate to do it.”
As a Liverpudlian – and a youngster interested in acting – Blood Brothers was an unmissable watch for Gemma. It is one of the best-known plays to have emerged from the region, having run for 24 years in the West End and tallied up more than 10,000 performances. In a previous production, Gemma played Donna Marie, one of Mickey’s sisters, but was raring to get into the spotlight as one of the leads.
Fraternal strife
She thinks the play holds timeless appeal: “It’s natural that music can really connect with an audience,” she remarks. “It’s fast moving, and it allows a real journey. Some of the songs are funny, some are hard-hitting; some are ballads, some are upbeat.
“The nurture-versus-nature elements of it are something always talked about: privilege and how your environment can shape you. It was way ahead of its time in that way.”
Dealing with heavy themes without being heavy-handed is one of the play’s strengths. And its themes – including underemployment during the 80s – are finding echoes today. “It’s very relatable, especially in a cost-of-living crisis,” insists Gemma. “That hits home – particularly with this Tory government. I find it so engaging. And I think it always will be;
I can’t ever see it dating badly.”
Having acted in a previous production of the play, Gemma has a close bond with fellow cast member Sean – who has been playing his role for over 20 years. How do they keep things fresh? “It’s about just connecting with each other. The way Sean plays Mickey, we never do it exactly the same.” Meanwhile Joe, who plays Eddie, has ‘got comedy bones’.
And, while Blood Brothers is often gritty, its humour is a surefire win. “It’s not just people in Liverpool who find people from Liverpool funny,” Gemma laughs. “For some reason, Liverpool kids are like old people; they mimic their nans and granddads – that comes through beautifully in this show.”
The play is currently on tour – and taking a truly Liverpudlian production around the UK is key, asserts Gemma. “Representation is important. I’m a Scouser myself and there’s something endearing about a working-class accent, the way genuine, salt-of-the-earth people interact with each other. It’s similar to Billy Elliot – that works so well because
it’s so authentically Geordie.
“It’s that real working-class vibe that makes things last.”
