Bill Kenwright’s ‘Dazzling’ (Sunday Telegraph) production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers returns this summer with a three-week season at Cork Opera House from 5 August before embarking on 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 Riching
BLOOD BROTHERS - 2019 TOUR DATES
Tuesday 6 August – Saturday 17 August Box Office: +353 (21) - 427 0022
Cork Opera House Website: www.corkoperahouse.ie
Tuesday 27 August – Saturday 31 August Box Office: 01227 787787
Canterbury, The Marlowe Website: www.marlowetheatre.com
Tuesday 3 September – Saturday 14 September Box Office: 0844 871 7615
Liverpool Empire Website: www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire
Tuesday 17 September – Saturday 28 September Box Office: 029 2087 8889
Cardiff, New Theatre Website: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
Monday 30 September – Saturday 12 October Box Office: 0844 338 5000
Birmingham Hippodrome Website: www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Monday 14 October – Saturday 19 October Box Office: 01332 59 39 39
Derby Theatre Website: www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Tuesday 22 October – Saturday 26 October Box Office: 01482 300306
Hull New Theatre Website: www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Monday 28 October – Saturday 2 November Box Office: 0844 871 7615
Grand Opera House York Website: www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york
Tuesday 5 November – Saturday 9 November Box Office: 01270 368 242
Crewe Lyceum Website: www.crewelyceum.co.uk
Tuesday 12 November – Saturday 16 November Box Office: 01424 462 288
Hastings, White Rock Theatre Website: www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk
Tuesday 19 November – Saturday 23 November Box Office: 01322 220000
Dartford, Orchard Theatre Website: www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 December Box Office: 0844 871 3022
Sunderland Empire Website: www.atgtickets.com/sunderland
Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 December Box Office: 01323 412000
Eastbourne Congress Theatre Website: www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/congress-theatre
