"Blood Brothers is undoubtedly the most exciting thing to have happened to the English musical theatre in years"

Sheridan Morley

Commissioned by Paul Harman's Merseyside Young People's Theatre Company for Secondary school children. First performed at Fazakerley Comprehensive, Liverpool in November 1981.   Willy spent the whole of 1982 turning the small scale production of Blood Brothers into a full scale musial. Revising the book, writing the lyrics and composing all the music himself.   Opens at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. Production in association with Bob Swish Ltd. Directed by Chris Bond.   From it's hugely successful Liverpool production it transferred to the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, where it became the musical hit of the season, winning three awards for its author/composer and one for its leading actress/singer Barbara Dickson.   Blood Brothers continues to draw the crowds across the globe from Broadway to Australia and has become one of the longest running musicals in the West End, London.

A MUSICAL: "Bob Swash had been badgering me for a long time to write a new musical". WILLY RUSSELL

"Willy Russell is less concerned with political tub-thumping than with weaving a close-knit story about the working of fate and destiny...it carries one along with it in almost unreserved enjoyment"

Guardian

"Gripping, gritty and superbly hummable. It's a must." The Mail on Sunday       "A masterpiece - if you haven't seen it, go. If you have, go again." News of the World

"The audience rose to its feet with near-religious rapture." Sunday Telegraph       Read a selection of Blood Brothers Reviews - old and new ...

Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as Blood Brothers. Scooping up no less than four awards for BEST MUSICAL and receiving a standing ovation at almost every performance in the West End.

 

Blood Brothers is truly unforgettable.

 

In the USA, it has held a record breaking Broadway run, a hugely successful coast to coast tour and was nominated for six TONY AWARDS.

 

THE ORIGINAL CAST: Mrs Johnstone - Barbara Dickson Narrator - Andrew Scholfield Mickey - George Costigan Eddie - Andrew C. Wadsworth Sammy - Peter Christian Linda - Amanda York Mrs Lyons - Wendy Murray Mr Lyons - Alan Leith

AWARDS: 1983 LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS Musical Of the Year: Blood Brothers at the Lyric Theatre Actress of the year: Barbara Dickson as Mrs Johnstone at the Lyric Theatre 1988 LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS Outstanding performance of the year by an Actor in a musical: Con O'Niel as Mickey Johnstone at the Albery Theatre

Blood Brothers, one of the longest running musicals in the West End and a massive success all over the world from Broadway to Australia, began - as all the best things in life do - rather more humbly than the huge hit it has become....

THE TOURING CAST: TODAY Mrs Johnstone - Linda Nolan Narrator - Keith Burns Mickey - Stephen Palfreman Eddie - Craig Whiteley Sammy - Danny Taylor Linda - Louise Clayton Mrs Lyons - Karen Barnes Mr Lyons - Jonathon De Ville Policeman/Teacher - Matt Slack Donna Marie/Miss Jones - Chloe Taylor Perkins - Simon Willmott Bus Conductor - Jonathan Black Brenda - Anna Sambrooks

Blood Brothers images from around the world...

MUSIC: 1. Marilyn Monroe 2. My Child 3. Easy Terms 4. Shoes Upon The Table 5. Kids Game (Just a Game) 6. Long Sunday Afternoon 7. My Friend 8. Bright New Day 9. That Guy 10. Summer Sequence 11. I'm Not Saying A Word 12. Take a Letter Miss Jones 13. Light Romance 14. Madman 15. Tell Me It's Not True Music & Lyrics: Willy Russell Performed by Various Artists

SEE IT HERE: Currently playing in the West End of London:   PHOENIX THEATRE Charing Cross Road London WC2 Tel: 020 7369 1733   and a second production is currently touring the UK:   Grand Theatre Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1DE 12 May - 24 May Box Office: 01902 429212

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"Blood Brothers was a hard act to follow..."

 

..."I couldn't accept a role which was less than that, and such parts are thin on the ground."

BARBARA DICKSON

Blood Brothers has attracted top quality singers and actors to perform the characters created by Willy Russell. For example, the part of Mrs. Johnstone, has been played by some famous names...