The Blood Brothers cast was given a standing ovation at the opening night of their performance at the Fairfield Halls.

Starring self-proclaimed Blood Brothers stalker Maureen Nolan as Mrs Johnstone and Wet Wet Wet star Marti Pellow as the Narrator, the cast was incredibly strong.

As the story unfolded, wonderfully interspersed with catchy songs, the audience was gripped, with the tension rising until a finale that made everyone gasp.

Maureen’s voice was faultless, full of passion and, as one would expect from a Blood Brothers veteran, utterly believable as downtrodden Mrs Johnstone.

The working class mum struggles to keep her family afloat, and is forced to give up one of her new twin sons to her wealthy, barren boss.

The show then looks interestingly at themes of nature over nurture, as the boys, Mickey and Eddie grow up in totally opposite circumstances.

But they are united through friendship and unknown to them, their brotherly bond.

The musical charts their lives and separate fortunes to a nail-biting conclusion.

Willy Russell’s musical is still as relevant today as it was when he wrote it 28 years ago.

The songs are catchy, the acting is superb and the story is timeless.

This version did not disappoint the audience, with the shows all week in Croydon a virtual sell-out before the first show.

Catch the show on tour nationwide this year.

Visit fairfield.co.uk