Rob Smith - Leeds
My comments are simple. I recently rediscovered 'Shirley Valentine' on DVD, I know its been around a while. The story has had a profound effect upon me at my stage in life, the monologues are so emotionally loaded and have awoken a deep crisis within myself. Shirley's predicament reflects exaclty how I feel right now, her words (and others) are so prophetic and for me deeply and emotionally felt. 'Dreams are never found in the place you expect them to be' says Costas to Shirley. As a man I love  this movie, I love the characters, sadly Anna Keaveney is no longer with us. Its themes do not just apply to middle aged women. I just wish the DVD edition could be digitally remastered and have the americanisation dubbings removed. This is a vastly underestimated movie but it has become my dessert island disc, and I love it. thats all I want to say really.

David Mitchell - Leicester
I am the teacher in charge of Citizenship at a High School (11-14) in Leicester. I have been trying to get a video/DVD copy of "Terraces" for the work we are doing on peer pressure. It would be ideal. How can I purchase a copy.

Kath Petersen - London
I found this website during my search for an audio book read by willy russell in the 80s- 'the house at pooh corner'. i'm really sad to find out that it's no longer available. i just thought i'd write and say that russell does the best rendition of 'the more i snows tiddly pom' i've ever heard. thanks willy for hours of childhood fun!

Eve Morse - Swansea
I saw Dancin' thru the dark about 20 years ago and I have always wanted to see it again. I note from W.R's newsletter dated Dec 2009 that he thought it may be released soon. Does anyone know where I can get a copy from and when. I would love to watch it now - it's a fantastic mixture of humour and romance and the actors were brilliant and I enjoyed the music. Thanks for any help!

Stuart Nisbet - Glasgow
Hello, I just wanted to stop off quickly to say a few things, I'll try not to ramble! First of all, when I was doing GCSE English this year, I came upon Educating Rita. This wonderful, wonderful play has had such an impact on my life, and my viewpoint/mindset. It made me want to research more about Willy Russell, and again, such a wonderful, inspiring story in your life. I haven't had a chance to see/read any of your other plays, but I will definitely look into doing so. Thank you so much for your wonderful contribution to theatre and literature in general.

Noel Valerio - Argentina
I did'nt use to like reading plays but Shirley and Rita have totally changed my likes; I had to read them for university otherwise I would'n have read them. They are really marvellous, the way they approach the reader and their vocabulary!!!They are perfect. Many thanks Willy.

Pat McDermott - Stalybridge
This is a chance in a million but just had to have a go. I have a story to tell, the only person on this earth who could tell it and help so many young people outhere is Willy Russell. Never been lucky so I'm not holding my breath Willy but would love to hear from you.

Christine Norbet - London
I really enjoyed reading the wrong boy and the play blood brothers. I want to get into writing plays and books and wanted advice on the best way to start. Do you take on trainee writers or will you be my mentor? Thank you

Becky House - Pontefract
Hey Willy Russell, We're doing about Educating Rita in English because we're just that cool :)  My friend thinks you look like Dumbledore :)

Kate King - Wolverhampton
I absolutely loved the wrong boy. It is the best book I think I have ever read. It made me laugh and cry in equal measure and as soon as I had finished readin it on the train I went home and gave my son a big hug. Brilliant. I have also been to see Blood brothers and loved it. All the characters are so realistic.

Debbie Wilson - Petersfield
I attended Speke Comprehensive in the 70s, and was Girl 1 in the BBC TV adaptation of Our Day Out.  However, I know that Willy Russell has said that a documentary on the 'making of Our Day Out' would have been interesting, (which I would agree with).  However, has anybody ever considered a 'whatever happened to the kids of Our Day Out' follow up? and whether the young people who were involved in the film, upon reflection, feel that the experience had any impact on their lives? ie, did knowing something else make them aspire to something else?
I am a Social Work Teacher.

Mark Smith - Chesterfield
The first time i saw Blood Brothers was in Sheffield, it played for three weeks and i saw it every Saturday of that three week run. I forget how long ago that was, but it was a good few years ago. I have seen it every time it has come to Sheffield since, and i'll probably go to see it every time it comes in the future. What's more, it still brings that lump to my throat after all these years, powerful stuff.  Absolutely brilliant! So, here's the thing. Every day i check the news section of the web site and every day i'm disappointed because what i'm looking for isn't there. That one piece of news. The one that says the Blood Brothers movie is on it's way... So that's it really, i was just wondering, how are things going on the movie front?

Jono Cull & Emma Essam - Rugby
Hi we (jono+emma) went to see blood brothers yesterday 15/5/10 at the wolverhampton grand theater. My mum and dad have not stopped going on about it ever since they went to see it a cpl of years ago, so we eventually bought the tickets and now I know why they talk about it so much.  It has to be the best musical in the world it was so funny and sad and the actors/actresses are so good it just felt as if we were watching the events happen in front of are eyes, at no point did I feel as if I was watching a play it was brilliant. I recommend this to everybody.

Jerry Price - Tallahassee, Florida US
I saw One For The Road in London in 1987 and have never enjoyed a play more, nor have I ever laughed harder. To this day I cannot look at a garden gnome without thinking of this play. Besides the humor, I found it to be a very telling portrayal of that insidious, smothering,  suburban ennui in which I had found myself in the 1980s, just prior to my first divorce. I would love to see this play again. Thank you for writing it.

Jayne Sharpe - Nottinghamshire
Hi, I would like to say how fantastic Blood Brothers is. Having seen Blood Brothers numerous times (being my favourite musical) the story still makes me laugh and cry. I have to say how absolutely sensational Melanie C is portraying Mrs J. Undoubtedly the best Mrs J I have ever seen.

Francesca Gould - Bristol
I watched Shirley Valentine when I was 22 and loved it, it still means so much to me.  I am nearly 42 (as she mentions in the film) and still think it is a fantastic piece of work.  You're a genius!

Moira Mai - Wales
Hi there..If you read these personaly,get in touch..you never did sign my copy of Hoovering The Moon..Remember Ty Newydd???Ive often wondered what you wrote about whilst you were there.....I forget the name of who you were with now but you were both brilliant company...

Garry Burnett - East Yorkshire
Have you any plans for more live readings or gigs ? If so can we book you for Bayfolk at Robin Hood's Bay ?

Faith Fulcher - Basildon
Dear Willy, I am the secretary of the Bring The Royal Iris Back Home Facebook group and am writing to ask for your support in our quest to bring the Grand old Lady of the Mersey back home.  She is in a dire state in London and we are hoping that we can purchase her from her current owner and restore her to the glorious vessel that she once was.

Gary Cash - Birkenhead
Watched the tv adaptation of "Our day out" when i was at school (i'm 46 now)and it was 2 days before our school history trip to chester we all went into a gift shop and no one bought anything but we all came home with pockets full of souvenires (no animals tho)...hope to see it again one day happy days.....keep em comin Will.

Kerry King - Manningtree Essex
Hi. I am directing Blood Brothers and as this great play is about people,relationships, class,  love and moral dilemma I wondered if Willy Russell would object to it being set in a Northern part of the country or London? Does it really matter if it is not in Liverpool as the strength of this production lies in the emotion and sense of loss. I would love to know his thoughts.  Many thanks.

kate
I went to see blood brothers recently for my Drama and am now studying Educating Rita for English lit i love your works!

Grace Newton - Folkestone, Kent
I'd just like to thank whoever thought it would be a good idea to create this website.  I am currently studying a Performing Arts degree and i can say without this website, i would have been screwed!!!  Willy Russell RULES!!!

Sophie Denman - Manchester
Over the weekend I went down to London to watch Blood Brothers for the second time, (with Melanie C playing Mrs Johnston). I enjoyed it very much, but I seem to remember that the first time I watched it (a number of years ago) that the music was very different. I just wondered if you had re-written the score?  Thanks.

SÅ‚awomir Ostrowski - Cracov in Poland
Today I go see the show Shirley Valentine. I know it will be a great evening thanks.

Shelfield Community Academy
Dear Mr. Willy Russell, We are writing to you to tell you that we think Educating Rita is a fantastic play. However we are intrigued to know how you see the future for Frank and Rita. If you were to add another act, what would happen next to Frank and Rita. We have had numerous discussions about this and we would be keen to hear your thoughts. With Respect, Sally, Chloe, Joanne and Emily

Nicola Golightly - Cheltenham
Hello, I am putting on a production of Our Day Out with my Youth Theatre. I am trying to get hold of a CD with the original songs but am so far unsuccessful. I wondered if you could tell me where I might be able to get hold of one?

Steve Williams - Liverpool
I have just gone through the guestbook as I remember Alan Stevens brilliant recall of our fringe days. I have just found some photographs of the advertising stunt in the park. I have sent them to Willy and I am sure he will make them available along with the other photos of the Edinburgh Festival all those years ago. It was great to read the comments from the others members of the gang. Fond memories of a wonderful time. Photo here...

Margaret Osborne - Hinckley Leics
I was thinking of how much I admire Willy Russell's work this morning and had an old cassette tape playing when there he suddenly was - on Desert Island Discs. The weirdest thing was his luxury was a meadow with an oak tree in the middle - MY DID luxury has always been an English woodland with all the seasons.  Great minds and all that!  I nearly met him once, after seeing BB in London, he was on the steps outside but I didn't know until later.  Drat!  Would have gone and said thankyou so I'll say it now - thankyou Willy, for all of it!  That was the 2nd time I'd seen BB and was keeping the tears at bay until my sister let out the most enORmous sob at the end!  Seen it 5 and a half times now - still gets to me.

Natasha Jade Grant - London & Winchester
I first got in to Willy's work when I borrowed (yes, honestly) a copy of 'Our Day Out and Other Plays' from my boarding school English cupboard aged 13. I took it home at the weekend and was amazed- this was nothing like the kind of thing we normally read. I was hooked.  I was given a copy of 'Shirley Valentine' a year or so later, burnt on to a cassette by a friend. I listened to it so often, I wore out the tape ribbon and can still quote chunks from memory. Sad, eh?  Now, I am a writer of children's and young adult fiction. If I can be half as good as Willy, I'll be ecstatic.

Bronwyn Preece - British Columbia, Canada
Dear Willy, I have had the hysterical pleasure to read and re-read 'One for the Road', as for a university directing project, I have decided to mount the 'Tupperman Man' scene.   I have never laughed out loud so much while simply reading a play! I so loved ready of the saga of the play's title....and came to realize that in the spirit of the play, it is now likely due for another name change -- why not? -- in the spirit of Dennis Cain and the play's legacy....I propose that the play now be re-named in 2010: 'CASTLEHILLS RUCKSACK' --  (and then several years down the line, it could be change again.....or maybe every subsequent 40 year milestone!) -- Very much fondly.

Debbie - Lancaster
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release Dancing Through The Dark on DVD!! I can't believe it's not available  :(  One of my favourite films of all time!

Archive guestbook here...

WEBSITE DESIGN BY REMARKABLEEMPHASIS.COM