Bill Kenwright’s ‘Dazzling’ (Sunday Telegraph) production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers returns this summer with a UK tour. Starring Lyn Paul in the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone for the final time, she will be joined by Joel Benedict as Eddie, Danielle Corlass as Linda, Danny Taylor as Sammy and Chloe Taylor as Mrs Lyons. Alexander Patmore returns as Mickey alongside Robbie Scotcher as the narrator.
The rest of the cast for Blood Brothers includes Tim Churchill, Graham Martin,Gemma Brodrick, Hannah Barr, Graeme Kinniburgh, Shaun McCourt and Connor Bannister.
Considered ‘One of the best musicals ever written’ (Sunday Times), Blood Brothers, written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell has triumphed across the Globe. Scooping up no fewer than four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Blood Brothers is simply ‘Unmissable and unbeatable’ (The Spectator).
This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981 before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. It has since completed sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan and ran in London’s West End for 24 years, exceeding 10,000 performances. One of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.
Blood Brothers tells the moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet.
It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. A sensational cast, brilliant book, show stopping music, remarkable staging and five-star performances make Blood Brothers an enthralling night of entertainment.
Willy Russell is one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His theatre credits include Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine, Breezeblock Park and Our Day Out. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.
Bill Kenwright presents
BLOOD BROTHERS
By Willy Russell
Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright
Designed by Andy Walmsley
Sound Designed By Dan Samson
Musical Direction by Kelvin Towse
Lighting Designed by Nick Richings
BLOOD BROTHERS - 2019 TOUR DATES
Tuesday 3rd September – Saturday 14th September
Liverpool Empire
Box Office: 0844 871 7615
Website: www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
Tuesday 17th September – Saturday 28th September
Cardiff, New Theatre
Box Office: 029 2087 8889
Website: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
Monday 30th September – Saturday 12th October
Birmingham Hippodrome
Box Office: 0844 338 5000
Website: www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Monday 14th October – Saturday 19th October
Derby Theatre
Box Office: 01332 59 39 39
Website: www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Tuesday 22nd October – Saturday 26th October
Hull New Theatre
Box Office: 01482 300306
Website: www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Monday 28th October – Saturday 2nd November
Grand Opera House York
Box Office: 0844 871 7615
Website: www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york
Tuesday 5th November – Saturday 9th November
Crewe Lyceum
Box Office: 01270 368 242
Website: www.crewelyceum.co.uk
Tuesday 12th November – Saturday 16th November
Hastings, White Rock Theatre
Box Office: 01424 462 288
Website: www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk
Tuesday 19th November – Saturday 23rd November
Dartford, Orchard Theatre
Box Office: 01322 220000
Website: www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Tuesday 3rd - Saturday 7th December
Sunderland Empire
Box Office: 0844 871 3022
Website: www.atgtickets.com/sunderland
Tuesday 10th – Saturday 14th December
Eastbourne Congress Theatre
Box Office: 01323 412000
Website: www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/congress-theatre
