Niki Evans in Blood Brothers
Bill Kenwright’s multi-award-winning production of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers has returned for a 16-week UK tour with 2007 X Factor finalist Niki Evans back in the role of Mrs Johnstone.
Evans (Kinky Boots, UK tour) who first played the iconic role in the West End production at the Phoenix Theatre in 2008, stars alongside Sean Jones (Wave Me Goodbye, Theatr Clywd) who returns to play Mickey Johnstone for one final tour.
Other additions to the cast include Carly Burns as Linda, Melissa Potts as Brenda and Jacob Yolland as the bus conductor.
The cast also includes Joel Benedict (Spamalot, UK tour) as Eddie Johnstone, Paula Tappenden (Matilda, Bristol Hippodrome) as Mrs Lyons, Tim Churchill (Dr Doolittle, West End) as Mr Lyons and Robbie Scotcher (Footloose, UK tour) as Narrator. The cast is completed by Josh Capper (neighbour), Grace Galloway (Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Andy Owens (Perkins), Daniel Taylor (Sammy) and Nick Wilkes (teacher/policeman).
Following the opening run at the Theatre Royal, Windsor which ends on 29 January, the production will visit Darlington, Wimbledon, Manchester, Malvern, Bath, Barnstaple, High Wycombe, Peterborough, York, Tunbridge Wells, Derby, Cornwall and Mold.
Presented by Bill Kenwright who also directs alongside Bob Tomson, the production is designed by Andy Walmsley with sound design by Dan Samson; musical direction by Tim Whiting and lighting design by Nick Richings.
Hailed as one of the best musicals of all time, award-winning playwright Russell’s Blood Brothers has won hearts across the globe. Debuting on Russell’s home ground in Liverpool before arriving in the West End in 1983, the original London production of Blood Brothers won two Oliviers, for Best New Musical and the Best Actress in a Musical Award for the original Mrs Johnstone, Barbara Dickson.
Following Kenwright’s first national touring production, the show returned to the West End in 1988 with a revival production that featured an Olivier Award-winning performance by Con O’Neill. The production would remain in the West End for 24 years, playing more than 10,000 performances. The show has since completed sold-out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.
Angela Thomas
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