BLOOD BROTHERS is one of the longest-running musicals in the world, and it is coming to Guildford at the end of the month.
Bill Kenwright’s award-winning production of the international smash hit will run at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.
Blood Brothers tells the story of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.
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.
Niki Colwell Evans and Sean Jones, will play Mrs Johnstone and Mickey Johnstone respectively, with Gemma Brodrick stepping into the role of Linda, the ‘role of a lifetime’ for the actress who has been a part of the production since 2019.
Written by Willy Russell, it is considered to be ‘one of the best musicals ever written’ (Sunday Times), and had more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End – one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.
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.
The musical has since enjoyed sell-out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, and scooping up four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway. The superb score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
Completing the current cast for 2023 is Joe Sleight (Eddie), Danny Whitehead (Narrator) and Timothy Lucas (Sammy), Josh Capper (Neighbour), Paula Tappenden (Mrs Lyons), Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons), Jess Smith (Brenda), Tori Hargreaves (Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Connor Bannister (Perkins), Graeme Kinniburgh (Postman/Bus Conductor), and Nick Wilkes (Teacher/Policeman).
Blood Brothers will be performed from Tuesday, September 26 to Saturday, September 30. Tickets cost from £35, with concessions £20.
For more details, or to book, call the Yvonne Arnaud box office on 01483 440000 between 10am and 5pm, or log on to: Yvonne-Arnaud.co.uk
