I have seen two Nolans and assorted fading female vocalists play Mrs Johnston. Denise Nolan has the most impressive voice;
The cast was led by brilliant performances from Denise Nolan as Mrs Johnstone. Contributing to the strong cast and moving story were excellent musicians, imaginative and very effective lighting, and a beautiful set. The whole production was slick and polished, and yet managed to retain a rawness and roughness, remaining true to its setting. The standing ovation and 4 curtain calls Nolan got at the end were truly well-deserved. See this if you can - it is well worth it.Ben Whitehouse, The story focuses on Mrs Johnstone (Denise Nolan), who’s struggling to bring up her rowdy kids. Nolan is terrific. Throughout the performance she maintains a perfectly measured Scouse accent, and commands the attention of the audience with an anguished and emotional performance
Blackpool Gazette
Linda and Bernadette have likewise walked into Mr. Johnstone's shoes and sung about the misfortune which is bound to fall on anyone who dares to put new ones on the table. and whilst each one brings their own personality to the part, Denise somehow seems to sum up the utter hoplessness of the Liverpool mum's plight. The night belongs to pinnafored Denise Nolan who perfectly captures the pathos of a woman who is not only struggling against what life throws her way but what the Gods have in store as well.
Richmond Times
Denise Nolan as Mrs. Johnstone has enjoyed enormous success in the role previously on tour and in the West End,. She skillfully displayed Johnstone's stengths and vulnerability and her singing successfully brought out all the emotion.
Kentish Times
Denise Nolan, a former Nolan Sister brings a heart breaking realism to the part of Mrs. Johnstone
Hull Daily Mail.
Headlining the show is Denise Nolan and those who remember her from the 1970's pop group will be pleasantly surprised by the depth and range of her hard hitting musical perfromance. I couldn't help but get the feeling that she must have viewed the opportunity to play such a strong and varied female lead as real gift.
Plymouth Times
Denise Nolan, one of the many Nolan Ssters to have taken on the role, handles the role with confidence. She is fantastic at belting out the big numbers.
Evening Post
Denise Nolan is compelling, Blood Brothers is excellent theatre. Nolan is full of power and emotion. The standing ovation was well deserved.
Milton Keynes Express
Five star performances from Sean Jones and Daniel Fine, but special mention also for Denise Nolan for her powerful and highly believeable portrayal of Mrs. Johnstone. Her tears which continued to flow during the final curtain were all too genuine, such is the emotional intensity of the piece.
Darlington News
Denise Nolan hits the headlines as the third Nolan Sister to play the role. Denise isn't blonde, like her sisters Linda and Bernie, she is darker in looks, voice and gritty acting ability. The emotional roller coaster is all the better for Denise's decision to take the touring lead rather than the West End version, which she relinquished to Linda.
Torquay
Denise Nolan led an immesnly strong cast, she had a hard task following in the footsteps of the likes of Petula Clark and her Sisters. By the finale, her perfomance was gripping. She conjoured up the voice and magic in a performance which will haunt the audience for some time.
BBC Humberside
Denise Nolan is Mrs. Johnstone, she has a superb voice and is absolutely brilliant especially in the last moving scene. Her number "Tell Me It's Not True" brought the show to and end and the audience to it's feet.
Hull Daily Mail
Nolan's singing was out of this world. The acting and general performance has a polish that you wouldn't expect from the sort of production.
Hull and Beverley Guardian
Denise Nolan, as the unfortunate mother of the twins, Mrs. Johnstone has rightly enjoyed enormous success in the role. She wrings every ounce of emotion from her utterly believeable character.
BBC Nottingham
Musicals, movies and plays that have been built up rarely live up to the expectations that surrounds them. However, Blood Brothers is an exception. it clearly lives up to it's hype. Denise Nolan brings an outstanding piece of theatre. She has everything, Stunning performance, powerful voice and a climax that will haunt you for days.
Edinburgh Evening News
Denise does her character justice and gives a powerful perfomance. Just be prepared for number of times she mentions Marilyn Monroe!
Kentish Gazette
Nolan plays this bitter sweet role beautifully. She is outstanding.
Grimsby Evening Telegraph
Denise Nolan dominated with the part of Mrs. Johnston. Her devasting "Tell Me It's Not True" is a masterpiece
Sheffield Star
Denise Nolan gave her all and put in a gritty and emotionally draining performance.
Wednesbury News
Denise Nolan deserves the standing ovation. She is visibly fighting back tears as the cast return to the stage. She gives a fine performance.
Wolverhampton Chronicle
The singing talents of Denise Nolan lifted this production. Her skillful and passionate portrayal of Mrs. Johnstone was gripping.
Bradford Telegraph & Argos.
Denise Nolan as Mrs. Johnstone captures the warmth and vulnerability of a woman who identifies strongly with Marilyn Monroe. She sings with authority which makes the show an impressive, compelling must see.
Bradford
Denise Nolan gives a great performace, she is more than convincing and has an impressive singing voice.
Truro Packet
Nolan is unmissable and unbeatable as Mrs. Johnstone. She is truly top quality. Her singing is remarkable and she stands out making Blood Brothers an impressive and entralling night out.
Southend
Denise Nolan generates sympathy and it was well conveyed. No one was prepared for the emotional tidal wave swept from the stage by her. She had everyone reaching for their Kleenex as she thundered out Tell Me It's Not True, with the tears that streamed down her face. It was all powerful stuff.
Cardiff - South Wales Echo
The former Nolan Sister was the star in all senses of the word as the matriarch. In terms of musical theatre she leads a show that has it all.
Southern Daily Echo
Denise Noal is perfect as Mickey's long suffering mother and has found a far better platform to showcase her immense talents than her Sister.
Kent Times
Denise Nolan brings a heartbreaking realism to the role. Her singing and acting is outstanding.
Essex Courier
Denise Nolan follows her sisters into the role and delivers a spellbinding performance which outshines her Sisters.
Leighton Buzzard Observer
DENISE IS TERRIFIC - By the time it came to the finale Denise had put in the most powerful and sincere performance of this role I have ever witnessed. The audience rose to it's feet and applauded her as she took her bows. Still clearly affected by the drama of it all. Well done Denise - my best wishes for the raminder of the tour.
Glasgow Herald
Nolan is superb as Mrs. Johnstone. She is truly magnificent in the role, a part she throws her heart and soul into.
Sunday Mercury
Denise Nolan brought the Grand to its feet with an emotional performance. But even her powerful voice had its work cut out as the band pumped up the volume. Making 'Bright New Day' practically inaudible
Wolverhampton
Ms Nolan gives a performance of warmth, and sings hynotically as the mother of the twin boys.
Graeme Andrew: Wolverhampton
The strong cast, led by the Brilliant Denise Nolan. She is not one I remember from "I'm in the mood for dancing' But she is one lady who can certainly sing
Birmingham Gazette
Already I have seen Linda and Bernadette. The result is the same - The roar of the crowd, the ritual standing ovation. As with her stage family Denise sweeps the show into her bosom and hugs it as if she will never let it go. Denise "Mothers" a first class production.