Blood Brothers

The Play Version

 

  Director: Linda Coombes, Assisted by Sue Gambarini

Performed from Thurs 27th - Sat 29th March 2014

 

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Author: Ralph Thomas

 

 

About Willy Russell & Blood Brothers

 

Willy Russell was commissioned to write this play for Merseyside Young People’s Theatre Company in 1981, and it was first performed at Fazakerley Comprehensive School, Liverpool. The story takes as its starting point a traditional idea in literture...the separation of twins at birth...but treats it in a contemporary way. Mrs. Johnston is a working-class Liverpudlian...a deserted wife and mother of seven children, who is again pregnant with twins. She cleans for the middle-class Mrs. Lyons, who cannot have children of her own, and so suggests that one twin be given to her... so that the child could grow up and “have everything”. Mrs. Lyons is  determined that the two boys should never meet, but fate intervenes and they ironically swear to become “blood brothers”. However, their contrasting environments take them to opposite ends of the social spectrum. They both fall in love with the same girl, and tragedy ultimately occurs because their upbringing prevents a proper understanding of each other.

Willy Russell spent the whole of 1982 turning this small scale production into a full scale musical...revising the book, writing the lyrics and composing all the music himself! “Blood Brothers” opened at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983 and then transferred to the West End, where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. After a year-long national tour it returned to the West End in 1988 and stayed for more than 24 years! Since it closed in the West End in November 2012 it has been on national tour, and that is why only the play version can be performed by amateur companies. The central role of Mrs. Johnston has been played by...among others...Barbara Dickson, Stephanie Lawrence, Kiki Dee, Petula Clarke, Lyn Paul, Marti Webb, Helen Reddy and Melanie Chisholm. Past narrators have included the former boxer John Conteh, Carl Wayne, David Soul, Marti Pellow and Willy Russell himself!

 

DID YOU KNOW?

 

· Willy Russell left school with an English Language O level as his only qualification and worked for 6 years as a hairdresser before going to college.                           

· Blood Brothers is the 3rd longest running West End musical of all time.

· Four of the Nolan Sisters (Denise, Bernie, Linda and Maureen) have all played the role of Mrs Johnston, earning recognition in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records.

· The original Broadway production (1993) was nominated for 6 Tony Awards.

· The first Australian production in 1988, featured Russell Crowe in the role of Mickey.

· Russell’s play Educating Rita was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and his screenplay for the film was nominated for an Academy Award in 1981.

· Willy Russell has become famous for his performance readings, and won an award for Best Supporting Actress for his reading of Shirley Valentine - the one woman play!

 

CAST

NARRATOR…………………………....……………Tim Driscoll

MRS. JOHNSTON…………………...…………..….Judy Harrhy

MRS. LYONS………………………..……..………Siān Williams

MICKEY………………………..……..…………...James Randell

EDDIE…………………………………………….Tom Addiscott

LINDA…………………….…….…………..…Lauren Mair Harris

MILKMAN/DOCTOR……………....……..……...Iain Campbell

POLICEMAN…………………….………...….……...Harry Bate

SAMMY………………………………..…......……Richard Jones

DONNA MARIE/SECRETARY……….……....Carla Gambarini

BRENDA…………………………………..….Anna Constantinou

TEDDY JOHNSTON………………….….……...Steve Williams

Ensemble of Kids, Neighbours, Friends, Debt Collectors, Workers; Played by members of the Company.

 

Production Team

Director…..……….....…………………………...Linda Coombes

Assistant Director…….……..…................………Sue Gambarini

Production Manager........................................…Rhys Stapleton

Stage Manager/Construction/Sound…...……..…Wayne Brewer        

Lighting Design/Construction…….……….......…...Crispin John     

Properties…..……………………Jan Stapleton, Laura Thompson                                             

Wardrobe……...………….……......Sue Gambarini, Jan Stapleton        

Business/Marketing……….…......Richard Jones, Rhys Stapleton 

Programme/Poster….………...…………….……Rhys Stapleton    

House Manager………………….………….........…Laura Hallas

F.O.H ……………...……………...Members & Friends of Hilltop

Box Office………………....……Brenda Slaughter, Hayley Dunne