THE first night of Blood Brothers at the Wycombe Swan received a standing ovation after an extremely moving and poignant performance from leading lady Niki Evans.

Evans, who was in X Factor in 2007, blew the crowds away with her portrayal of Mrs Johnstone. Every note was perfect and she put her all into the performance.

At the end, after an emotional rendition of Tell Me It's Not True, Evans had real tears in her eyes. This is a musical with a difference.

The show is unlike any other musical as it is full of drama and has a realistic story line which watches Mrs Johnstone's struggle as her twins are separated at birth and grow up in completely different classes.

Her continuous superstition plays an important role throughout with dire consequences.

But the musical has many funny moments throughout especially from Sean Jones and Paul Davies who play the twins Mickey and Eddie.

Jones and Davies shone as they convincingly showed the boys growing up from young, excitable kids to adults who have lost their innocence and are faced with the grim reality of the class divide.

Robbie Scotcher played the ominous narrator to perfection and there was a sense of foreboding whenever he came on stage.

The whole show was so professional- Evans performed the same role in the West End- and it has a real tale to tell.

Blood Brothers is at the Wycombe Swan all week until Saturday at 7.30pm. There are Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets range from £20.50 to £31. Call the box office on 0149451200.