Blood Brothers, the musical.

Who would have thought, this time last year, that Melanie C would be joining the cast of Blood Brothers, in a year's time? Or that Maureen Nolan and Lyn Paul would return to do the tour? Or even that real life twins would play the roles of Mickey and Eddie, again?

Now, you can vote in the Blood Brothers' Awards, 2009, preferably with 2nd and 3rd options as well as your 1st for each category.

Please contact the site, through the 'Contact Us' link. Unfortunately, there are no voting forms, so voters will have to write down the names of their votes. Sorry, for any inconvenience.

Please also remember the ensemble cast members, as well, and the 11 different categories are below.

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1.) The best performance by a female.

Nominations: Any female who has been in Blood Brothers, this year.

2.) The best performance by a male.

Nominations: Any male who has been in Blood Brothers, this year.

3.) The best vocal performance by a female.

Nominations: Any female who has been in Blood Brothers, this year.

4.) The best vocal performance by a male.

Nominations: Any male who has been in Blood Brothers, this year.

5.) The best interpretation of a character of all time.

Remember, as it is of all time, you can vote for anyone who has been in Blood Brothers.

6.) Favourite scene.

You can vote for the scene you find the funniest, or the most emotional one; your favourite scene.

7.) Best venue.

Any of the venues on this year's tour, and the Phoenix can be voted for.

8.) Favourite song.

Any song from the show can be voted for.

9.) Newcomer of the year, 2009.

Have in mind: Robbie Scotcher, Ben and Michael Sewell, Dave Cooper, Graeme Kinniburgh, etc., and Melanie C.

10.) Lifetime Blood Brothers achievement award.

Nominations: Any former or current cast or crew member, or member of the creative team.

11.) The main award, this year, is the undisputed Mrs. Johnstone of all time, as since Lyn Paul won it, last year, it has featured on her site, and in an interview with a local newspaper, so it would be interesting to see if she will win it again, this year, or will Maureen Nolan or Niki Evans win it.

Or could it be Linda Nolan, Denise Nolan, Bernie Nolan, Stephanie Lawrence, Barbara Dickson, Kiki Dee, or anyone else who has played the role.

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Thanks, and it's just a bit of fun.

The voting will start, soon. This site has been running for a liitle while, now, but (not surprisingly) it is not as well established as the MSN Groups one, so there might not be as many categories, as there used to be.

The categories, in brief are as follows:

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The best performance by a female.

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The best performance by a male.

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The best vocal performance by a female.

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The best vocal performance by a male.

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The best interpretation of a character of all time.

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Favourite scene.

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Best venue.

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Favourite song.

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Newcomer of the year, 2009.

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Lifetime Blood Brothers achievement award.

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The main award, this year, is the undisputed Mrs. Johnstone of all time, as since Lyn Paul won it, last year, it has featured on her site, and in an interview with a local newspaper, so it would be interesting to see if she will win it again, this year, or whether someone else will.

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Voting will start in a couple of weeks.

This message is to notify you of the categories. If you want any other categories to be added, then contact the site.

More information about voting will be up, then.

Thanks, and it's just a bit of fun.

There have been several reviews of Melanie C, in Blood Brothers, as Mrs. Johnstone. Infact, they have been great, including The Telegraph giving the show 5 stars.

They can be found at:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/review-23769216-mel-c-blood-brothers-debut-leaves-us-really-really-wanting-more.do .

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/6560728/Blood-Brothers-Phoenix-Theatre-review.html .

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http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/shenton/2009/11/that-sinking-feeling-but-in-fact-it-was/ .

Hey everyone

Danny sent me a message earlier today asking me to send a message to all memers to vote for him, he said

" I've I ve nearly reached the final of the UK Open Mic Grand final with £20,000 and a record deal up for grabs.Im trying to muster up some votes from people to give it the one final push and as you run the blood brothers fansite i thought you maybe able to put a message out there to all the members.The final vote is on Tuesday and i ve reached the top of the leader board for the whole of the north of England which is awesome.Can you put on a request on the site to text:wildcard373 to 84222 if they wish to support me . Im singer songwriter and you can go to myspace page which is http://www.facebook.com/l/29017;www.myspace.com/taylorsounds to listen to "the Party is over" which i ve entered and also other original work. "

Please do Vote for him I've seen him perform live before and really is a great singer/songwriter and of course the best Sammy ever, He deserves to win.

Please Help him

Thanks

Mike xxx

Andy Walmsley, set and constume designer, of Blood Brothers has contacted the site, and has very kindly donated some photos from New York, Canada and the US Tour.

I don't think that there are many photos of outside of The Music Box Theatre, in New York, from Blood Brothers. There are also some of the costume designs, and photos of the New York prodiction. (Broadway).

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www.andywalmsley.com .

The photos are on the Photo Gallery page.

So, Lyn Pauls contract end early december and i was wondering who  everyone wants to see tour with the show? Do you want and old familiar face or someone totally new to the part?

For the week in Liverpool when i go i'd love to see one of the Nolans, Sarah Hay or Niki Evans, out of the nolans i have only seen linda(twice) never seen Sarah or Niki would would give anything to see them live.

*EDIT* - I would also LOVE to see Helen Hobson - again - she suprised me in Manchester 2007 - she was brilliant one of the best i have seen, i would also like to see Barbara Dickson but heard that she would never work with Bill Kenwright again- not sure how true that is  but hey

Liverpool Empire theatre - 1 week only 12 April -18 April 2010

hopefully by then we will have some prizes for a couple of competitions

xxx

Here are the 2 inteviews  done by Mike Lasham - move to correct page  basically the same questions for both ppl - ENJOY

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Interview 8 - Danny Taylor - Sammy since 1999 - Currently on Tour

1 - How did you get the part of Sammy? ( case of audition or had BK seen you in another show or had you liked the show from when you were younger, seen the show/read the script)

1 - I'd never seen the show or read the script, I supose i was lucky i could connect with the part as quick, I got the job through my acting agent in london at the time, I have been very lucky indeed

2 - Had you seen the BB before you joined the cast?

- If yes who did you see playing Sammy?

2 -I went to see the Blood Brothers on my first rehearsal week for the show back in 1999, I dont know the guys name but he was gonna be difficult to follow!

3 - Did you copy any ideas from other sammys on how to play the im - or did you know how YOU were going to play the part from the start?

3 - I think i already had an essence of what he was about, because i knew similare people (Misunderstood) growing up. I originally auditions for the Policeman/teacher

4 - Do you really spit on the other actors/characer during the shows?

4 - I try my best not to

5 - You get to play Sammy at 3 different times in his life, all of which look fun and emotional to play but which age group do you plrefer playing sammy in ?

- 9/10 yr old

- 16 yr old

- 20(ish) yr old

5 -I love playing 9/10 yr old Sammy the best, Willy Russels writing is simply sublime, he really geets into the childrens psyche, and the comedy ' I Love it'

6 - Do you have any funny stories/mistake that have happened while you were on stage prforming, that stick out in ur head(cast/yourself/audience)?

6 - Once the condom snapped in 'Kid Game' and missed Cherrie Blair( ex- PM's wife)by Inches...I nearly made the papers but luckily she was ok.

7 - Do you ever get bored of playing the same character and doing the same thing every night especially for you after 10 years in the show, what do you and the cast do to keep it fresh and interesting for yourselves?

7 - I don't get bored cause i love the role, also every show is different. If your tuned into the actors and audience it will always be different.

8 - What do you think when fans come to the stage door and ask for autographs and photos, does it become annoying or do you enjoy the attention and feedback from fans?

8 - People are genuinely interested in the show and what we do and i think that is a wonderful thing. The show is about families and for that it is universal, It's the peoples show and that is probably why everyone connects with it the way they do, I dont mind singing autographs or getting pictures taken, I could be pulling pints next year, I'm Flattered

9 - If you could play any other part in BB which would it be and why?

9 - Narrator, Then Mickey. I don't know i love both those parts for different reasons, but Mickey is probably the greatest part written for a young actor, The Narrator is sexy, engaging, cool, articulate and a bloody great singer

10 - What is your fave part of the show?

- Fave song you sing?

- Fave song in show ?

- Most sad/emotional part of the show?

10 - (a)School room scene, (B)Tell Me its not true, (C)Long sunday afternoon, (D)Mickey and Lindas Pills scene, it chokes me mate!

11 - Have your played the part in london and on tour ? - if yes how does it differ and which do you prefer?

11 - Yes. I prefer the tour it's fresher!

12 - Who has been your fave cast member to work with and your fave Mrs J?

12 - Theres too many to think of. The casts have always been wonderful. My favourite 'mother'. I dont have one cause you cant have a favourite mother, its your mother at the end of the day and i've loved all of themin their own ways.

Danny, Thank you so much for taking time out to do this interview

from Mike

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Andrew James Michel , Perkins / 1st cover Eddie 2006 -2007 Tour, West End 2007 - 2009

1 - How did you get the part of Perkins/Eddie? ( case of audition or had BK seen you in another show or had you liked the show from when you were younger, seen the show/read the script)

1 - I had seen the show and always loved it, a close friend of mine was the Assistant musical director on the tour in 2005 and i got to see the show a few times in weymouth,

shortly after this he became the musical director on the bill kenwright production of joseph, i auditioned for the

Uk tour and got the role of benjamin, while on the tour i heard they were auditioning for the Uk tour of Blood brothers, i auditioned and got the part of perkins and as they say the rest is history!

2 - Had you seen the BB before you joined the cast?

- If yes who did you see playing Perkins and Eddie?

2 - i had seen the show many times over the years, and seen many actors play both roles, to name a few, playing perkins phillip maggs, jody tranter, ryan philpotts

and paul davis, playing eddie drew ashton, simon willmont, mark hutchinson and Michael Sewell. there are many more, but my memory isn't what it was.

3 - Did you copy any ideas from other Perkins and Eddies on how to play the part - or did you know how YOU were going to play the part from the start?

3 - oooo.... good question... well, i had always loved the way phillip maggs played perkins, he had this extra cheekiness, and always reacting to what was happening,

i wanted to do that but in my own way. then was born my little habbit of adlibbing during kids game which was always fun for me, but not for everyone else.

i always knew the way i would play Eddie, i had played im at school and wanted to add my own slant to the role, i always thought, he was just very shy and not a geek

he is a very enthusiastic character and just wants to be loved. gosh i am soppy. hehe

4 - if you could play any role in any musical with any cast what would it?

4 - i would be galileo in We Will Rock You, with sarah frech as scaramouche, jonathon wilkes as kashoggi, ashley russel as killer Queen, rachel john as Meat, eddie elliott as brit

and dean harris as pops

5 - You get to play Eddie at 3 different times in his life, all of which look fun and emotional to play but which age group do you prefer playing Eddie in ?

- 9/10 yr old

- 16 yr old

- 20(ish) yr old

5 - i love playing eddie at all ages, but personal favourite is as a child 9/10, because you really see him grow through those parts and discover how cute he is and he gets to swear at his mummy!

6 - Do you have any funny stories/mistake that have happened while you were on stage prforming, that stick out in ur head(cast/yourself/audience)?

6 - how long have i got, many of you that know me, will know what i am like on stage, 90% of the time i just so hyper active and like a car crash,i have a major habbit of adding lines

and reactins to things just to jazz it up for myself! when playing perkins during kids game i always do shout outs and add line, for example ' i'm in the mood for dancing, its linda's fault'

but most memorable mistake is when.... wait for it .... i fell off stage into the band pit and landed on the trumpet player, i pulled myself back onto stage and like a pro i am... carried on,

at the interval i realised i had fractured my ankle... but i still did act2, i rarely got to play Eddie, wasn't gunna leave stage till i got shot... haha.

7 - Do you ever get bored of playing the same character and doing the same thing every night, what do you and the cast do to keep it fresh and interesting for yourselves?

7 - i would never get bored of playing the same characters in Blood brothers is qulaity writing and like i menationed, i adlib stuff, so keeps it fresh for me.

8 - What do you think when fans come to the stage door and ask for autographs and photos, does it become annoying or do you enjoy the attention and feedback from fans?

8 - we are here to entertain and we wouldn't have a show without our amazing audiences and fans, i would never take it for granted, i love going out of stage door and getting feed back

about the show, i have met some lovely loyal fans over the years and always remember them and keep them up to date with inside gossip!!! ooops.... did i say that!

9 - If you could play any other part in BB which would it be and why?

9 - well... think we all would love to play mickey, its a very hard role and you go on such a complex journey, but mainly because you get more stage time and i am a stage hog!

10 - What is your fave part of the show?

- Fave song you sing?

- Fave song in show ?

- Most sad/emotional part of the show?

10 - favourite part of the show is when playing eddie is the scene with Mrs johnston on the door step when he gets the locket. favourite song i sing would be i'm not saying a word, favouite song in the show is

long sunday afternoon/my friend or kids game, Most emotional is the end, its so dramatic and still gives me goosebumps thinking about it,

11 - Have your played the part in london and on tour ? - if yes how does it differ and which do you prefer?

11 - The tour and the London show is different because you see a different city every week or two. which means i tend to explore more and make the most of my free time and socialise with the

whole cast as you travel around and live together for long periods of time as in London I got into a routine of going to do the show and then leaving it at the stage door and meeting up with other

friends and west end casts, im a socail butterfly. The show differs slightly in terms of set and music but the response and enjoyment is the same.

12 - Who has been your fave cast member to work with and your fave Mrs J?

12 - There has been so so many, i have loved working with them all in many different ways, but if im honest my favourite Mrs J would have to be linda nolan, she was the first i worked with ans she made me feel so at

ease on my first night and first matinee as eddie. thank you noli.

13 - Can you remember you opening night ( for both parts) How did you feel, nervous, excited, scared what part of the show did you really get into it?

13 - i certainly do remember my opening night and it was the same feeling as perkins and eddie in both tour and west end, i was very excited and nervous, but a few butterflies are good, i always say, if u aren't

nervous, you don't care enough. i stood in the wings and the show started, i was fine til i heard the oooh ohh ohh's satrt, you know which bit i mean, then i saw narrator walk on and i crossed my things and said to myself,

this is it, don't let me down andy, you can do it. by the time, linda started singing once i had a husband, i was ready and ejoyed every minute since!

 - Hi everyone

Aswell as the Photos of current uk tour cast, set, props, costumes and other stuff - i will also be doing, typing up and putting on here 2 Brand new never seen before Interviews with West end and UK tour Stars

one with Danny Taylor who has played the role of Sammy  for the last 10 years in London and on tour
and
one with Andrew Michel who has played Perkins and Eddie on a regular basis on tour and most recently in the West end 2006-2009

Hopefully the interviews wil be up on this site by the weekend- maybe start of next week - enjoy

Also Hoping to get interviews with Simon Willmont ( current Eddie on tour (perkins & Eddie - 2007- present) and if she stays with the tour for Liverpool Anna Smbrooks(current Linda (Brenda & Linda 2007-present) Fingers crossed) 

(  pics havnt been working so if you need to see who the guys are here are photos of them

 Danny = http://bloodbrothersthemusical.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=20350962
 Andy = http://bloodbrothersthemusical.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=56289682  - we are still trying to find pics of Andy in costume)

Hello,

I often see Con O'Neill mentioned as Most Favourite Mickey, so I thought his fans might like to know he's back in the West End.

Matt Lucas left 'Prick Up Your Ears' in the aftermath of his ex-husband's sudden death and it has been confirmed he will not be returning, and Con will be his replacement.

One of the stories regarding this http://www.playbill.com/news/article/133741-Con_O'Neill_to_Replace_Matt_Lucas_in_West_End's_Prick_Up_Your_Ears

bibilibbi

Some of the current tour cast have kindly offered to take me backstage to take pics of  the stage and backstage areas to add for this site i will also be asking some of the cast some questions (not exactly a formal interview just a question filled chat as we walking around backstage) - keep you eyes peeled here the pics and answers