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Starring:
Melanie Chisholm, Steven Houghton, Jay Roberts, Joe Fredericks, Joanne Zorian, Debbie Eden, Stephen Pallister, Michael Southern, Adam Tedder, Simon Turner, Amy O'Neill, Alex Harland, Amy Nowell, Michael Everest
Producer:
Bill Kenwright
Writer:
Willy Russell
Sporty Spice! Former Spice Girls star Melanie Chisholm now stars in the lead role of Mrs Johnstone in this classic musical, a part previously played by stars including Barbara Dickson, Kiki Dee and Carole King.
Told with gentleness, darkness and joy, Willy Russell's truly great musical Blood Brothers tells the story of twin brothers, separated at birth, who go on to lead very different lives before their paths cross once more.
This is one of the West End's longest running shows and has won a variety of awards, including best musical by the Society of London Theatres.
The role of the twins' mother, Mrs Johnstone, is taken by Melanie Chisholm. She follows a variety of big-name performers into the role including Barbara Dickson, Petula Clark, Linda and Denise Nolan.
Over 10,000,000 people have already seen this fabulous production. Every night audiences stood and cheered. See it for yourself and understand why!
Hailed by critics as 'the greatest musical of the decade', this international smash hit has scooped up four awards for Best Musical in London, seven Tony nominations on Broadway and receives a standing ovation at every performance - Blood Brothers is truly unforgettable. Blood Brothers is a 1983 musical with book, lyrics, and music by Willy Russell. It is one of the longest-running plays of all time, with the 1988 West End production still running after nearly 20 years.
The play is a contemporary nature vs. nurture tale revolving around fraternal twins separated at birth. The twins' different backgrounds take them to the opposite ends of the social spectrum, one becoming an Oxbridge graduated councilor and the other ending up on the dole and in prison for a while. Both fall in love with the same girl, which leads them to the tragic conclusion. The central character of the show is their mother, Mrs. Johnstone.
The original production by Willy Russell was written as a school play and presented in 1981. Russell then developed the work into a full blown play, which opened in the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983, starring Barbara Dickson. It was only a modest success. The show transferred to London where it played for only six months or so before closing. Then Bill Kenwright took over the show and following a year long national tour it reopened in the Albery Theatre in London in 1988 before transferring it to the Phoenix Theatre, where it has been running since. Con O'Neill, who played Mickey, was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1989 (1988 season) for Best Actor in a Play for his performance.
Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers, which, having opened in 1988 to tremendous acclaim, continues to enjoy standing ovations at almost every devastating performance. In the USA it has had a record breaking run, a hugely successful coast to coast tour and was nominated for 7 Tony Awards.
Mel's night out with two brothers Blood Brothers is o ne of my favourite musicals. A romantic and yet tragic story, that always has me crying at the end! To start off the evening I would walk along Oxford Circus and have a nose at the shops and stop off for a lovely Italian meal at Bertorelli's, which is only a few minutes walk away from the theatre. After the show you could hit a few pubs, there's plenty to choose from, or call it a night at the traditional 4* Rathbone Hotel, again only a few minutes walk away - its a traditional hotel with a homely feel. Pre-book your dinner / theatre / accommodation / breakfast package from £129 per person inc. service and VAT (based on 2 people sharing a double room).
Mel Wiseman is a Theatre Breaks Consultant |
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Childrens Notes
The producers recommend this show for age 12 years and over.
Press Quotes
"Devasting. A masterpiece. If you haven't seen it, go. If you have, go again!" - News of the World. "The greatest musical of the decade" - International Herald Tribune.
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