Willy Russell

Directed by Max Roberts and written by Willy Russell, Educating Rita tracks the story of a working-class hairdresser, Rita into higher education. Passionate, determined and fun-loving Rita (Jessica Johnson) meets her alcoholic University tutor, Frank (Stephen Tompkinson) at the beginning of the play. Rita, despite her lack of education,...

Liverpudlian accents, sparkly flares and a whole lot of energy. That’s what greeted me when I went to interview director Chloe Richardson, producer Tara Phillips, and cast members Sally Nesbitt, Kate O’Gorman, and Jake Ellis, of the NNT’s upcoming play Stags and Hens by Willy Russell. The enthusiastic and bubbly cast...

Having heard rave reviews of Blood Brothers from my aunt a few years ago, I jumped at the chance to see the show for myself and was lucky enough to be able to review it. Knowing only a very basic plot line, this adaptation of the 1983 musical lived up...

After winning the Olivier Award in 1983, Willy Russell’s Blood Brother’s rapidly became one of the most critically acclaimed performances to date. With popularity barely diminished, the show came to Nottingham Theatre Royal in an attempt to steal our hearts and make us cry. And I can confirm, this...

‘There’s shoes upon the table an’ a joker in the pack…’ Blood bonds, fragmented families and a sinister secret; Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers takes the concept of twins separated at birth and creates an intense fable that warns of the dangers of hidden pacts and explores the nature vs...