Thursday 23 May 2013

Blood Brothers

Eleanor and I had a fabulous night out last night at The Grand Theatre in Leeds. We went to see Blood Brothers.


This was the third time I'd seen this musical and I loved it just as much as when I saw it the first time. Maureen Nolan played the part of Mrs Johnstone on this occasion, but I've also seen Bernie Nolan and Linda Nolan take on the role. This was the first time that Eleanor has seen Blood Brothers and she really enjoyed it too. I'm so pleased that she enjoys the theatre just as much as I do, it's lovely that we get to have these nights out together.


The Grand Theatre was built in 1878 and the first performance staged there was Much Ado About Nothing. It closed in 2005 for a major refurbishment, opening again over a year later. The theatre seats 1550 at full capacity.

The show started at 7.30pm and the curtain didn't come down until 10.20pm, we certainly got our money's worth. The acting was superb, and those Nolans know how to belt out a tune. It certainly deserved the standing ovation it got at the end.

24 comments:

  1. Blood Brothers was one of the first musicals I saw with my mum many, many years ago. I then saw it with the OH a few years later. I agree with you it is a brilliant show.
    June

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've also seen Blood Brothers with both my mum and my hubby, they both really enjoyed it too. I think it works really well because it's got a bit of everything in it, it has you laughing and crying.

      Delete
  2. I love it too, I saw it twice with Linda Nolan (fantastic) and the 3rd time with an actress whose name escapes me (good also). Glad you had a good time!
    Sally x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's mostly the Nolans who take on the role of Mrs Johnstone. I think my favourite was Bernie, she just seemed to bring that little bit extra to the role.

      Delete
  3. It sounds like you both really enjoyed yourselves. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had a brilliant night. Eleanor's good company to go out with and we both really enjoy the theatre.

      Delete
  4. How lovely to have a girls night out!!! I hope that exams are going well and that you are all going to get a break over the bank holiday. Jx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was nice for Eleanor to have something to break up her revision a bit. Her mocks are finished now, but she has some Science module exams after half term which are towards her GCSE's. Daniel has sat his twenty hour ICT exam over the last fortnight, he's finishing that off this morning, then the rest of his A levels kick in after half term so there'll be lots of revising going on. I'm sure they'll both manage a break though.

      Delete
  5. Jo, I absolutely loved it when we went.I did notice it was on in Leeds and I would definitely go and see it again.The music was very catchy too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the music from the show. Eleanor's in a concert in a couple of weeks and I think a couple of the songs are from Blood Brothers, though they're not songs which Eleanor's singing. It's definitely a show you can see more than once.

      Delete
  6. Never seen or heard of that show, but the theatre looks lovely from the front and I bet it is lovely on the inside too. Glad you both enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a wonderful show, you must see it if you get chance. The Grand Theatre is a lovely theatre, I must take some photos of the inside when I go again.

      Delete
  7. Sounds like you both had a great time. :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had a fantastic time. It's such a great show.

      Delete
  8. Tell me it's not true? Say it's just a story!
    I love this musical, hard not to when you live in Liverpool and can claim to have met Willie Russell's English teacher! Of course you cried.....?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been singing that song ever since Wednesday. It's such a great musical. Eleanor loved the fact that it was set in Liverpool, I think most people like a Liverpudlian accent. Of course, the whole theatre was sobbing.

      Delete
  9. Sounds like you had a nice time. We need to take the kids and go to a show, Mikayla was just asking about seeing one the other day. Missed your post about your blankets, they are looking great! I am on the edge of my big granny,which takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only problem with the theatre is that it's so expensive, especially if you're going as a family. We'd go to many more shows if we could afford to. Can't wait to see your big granny, I bet it's looking lovely.

      Delete
  10. I adore the theatre too, but never seem to get to our local theatres these days (we've no shortage ... the Exchange in Manchester is my favourite, but I have Theatre Clwyd and theatres in Liverpool and Crewe within an hours drive of here). Would love to see Blood Brothers :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's great that you've got such a selection of theatres close by. We often go to The Alhambra in Bradford, they have some great shows on there, and we've also got The City Varieties and Carriageworks in Leeds.

      Delete
  11. I bet that was fun. I've never been to The Grand. In fact I think the last thing I saw at the theatre was Peppa Pig at the West Yorkshire Playhouse! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must see something at The Grand, it's such a beautiful old theatre, and it stages some wonderful shows. I remember the days of Peppa Pig and the like, it seems such a long time ago now.

      Delete
  12. I'm glad you both enjoyed the show, it's not one I've seen. G has seen it a couple of times and says it's so spine tingling at the end.
    A trip to the theatre is such a special night out and it's great you get to share it with your daughter in such lovely surroundings.
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ending is so sad, but it's such a great show as there's lots of laughs too along the way. I don't know anyone who's seen it who doesn't like it. I wish we could afford to go to the theatre more, it's such a great night out and there's so many other things I'd love to see, but it's just so expensive.

      Delete