The final production in our 2026-27 50^th Anniversary Season is Blood Brothers (play version), on stage from 11^th-18^th July. Willy Russell’s modern classic is about twin boys, separated at birth and brought up in very different homes. Mickey stays with struggling single mum, Mrs Johnston, whilst his twin brother is brought up in middle class luxury by Mrs Lyons.

Our cast for the play includes two actors most recently seen performing together in last summer’s production of The Gulf: An Elegy. Back then, Geraldine Ling and Rebecca Relf played partners. This time they are poles apart – with Geraldine taking on the role of the privileged Mrs Lyons whilst Rebecca is one of the play’s Narrators as well as taking on rough, tough Johnston sibling Sammy amongst other roles.

Talking about their characters, they said:

Rebecca: I play four characters. One of three Narrators, who is likened to Marilyn Monroe. She likes red lipstick, as do I. Sammy, one of the Johnston siblings, is an unhinged young man. I really do hope we’re nothing alike! Although, he seems to like nature on some level… The Debt Collector is just doing his job, but I like to think he likes strong tea, like me. And lastly, the policewoman is biased and doesn’t have the skills I’d like to think would make a good officer!

Geraldine: I play Mrs Jennifer J Lyons.  Her and her husband, Richard, are unfortunately not able to have children of their own, and although she would be happy to adopt Richard isn’t.  She is desperate to have a child, she is lonely (Richard works away) and she embarks on plan with Mrs Johnston to get the son her and Richard have longed for.  I can identify with the longing Mrs Lyons feels for something she can’t have, however I’d like to think I am not as manipulative or as desperate as Mrs Lyons is in the play (Ed: I can confirm she is not, Geraldine is lovely!)

Who are your favourite sibling characters (apart from Mickey and Eddie of course!)

Becky: Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly in the film, Stepbrothers.  I can watch it over and over and still find it hilarious!

Geraldine: I don’t think I really have any twins that I can think of so I am going to say Hyacinth, Daisy and Rose from Keeping Up Appearances or Denise and Anthony from the Royle Family.

Why should people come and see Blood Brothers?

Geraldine: It’s a really good story about love, family, class and how one decision made in good faith effects many people’s lives.

Rebecca: The story is timeless, moving and funny at times – it’s got it all. Our cast is fabulous, especially the siblings! The direction is wonderful and it’s an all-round brilliant show. When I first saw the musical version at aged 11, I cried all the way home, so if you’re sensitive like me, bring a tissue!

Blood Brothers (play version) is on stage from 11^th-18^th July (no performance Sunday).

About Geraldine and Rebecca

Geraldine joined the EAT back in 2008 and helped with props for Classic Ghost Stories for Christmas. Most recently, last year she performed in Foxfinder  directed by Richard Self and also the two hander The Gulf: An Elegy, alongside Rebecca Relf. 

Rebecca joined the Edward Alderton Theatre in October 2017 to play the wonderfully amusing role of the maid in Agatha Christie’s Love From A Stranger. She went on to play Helga in ‘Allo ‘Allo in 2018. She had a small comedy role in Dad’s Army in 2019, and she enjoyed playing the Fairy Godmother in pantomime in the same year.  Her most recent performance at EAT was in July 2025, playing the brutish character Kendra, in The Gulf: An Elegy, her first two-hander, which was a challenge and a delight, playing opposite Geraldine Ling. She’s glad to be cast alongside her, once more, in Blood Brothers (play version)!