The Long and Distinguished History of Blood Brothers 

Blood Brothers by Willy Russell is one of the longest-running works of musical theatre in history, with the 1988 West End production still running after 20 years!

The musical tells a contemporary nature vs. nurture tale revolving around fraternal twins, Mickey and Eddie, who were separated at birth. The twins' different backgrounds take them to the opposite ends of the social spectrum, one becoming a lawyer and the other ending up on welfare and in prison for a while. Both fall in love with the same girl, who marries one but falls in love with the other. Ultimately this conflict leads to a tragic end....

Background and productions

The original production by Willy Russell was written as a school play and presented in 1981. Russell then developed the work into a full-blown musical, which opened in the Liverpool Playhouse, in 1983, starring Barbara Dickson and Andrew C. Wadsworth. It was only a modest success. The show transferred to London, where it played for only six months or so before closing, although it won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Bill Kenwright took over the show, and following a year-long national tour it reopened in the Albery Theatre in London in 1988 before transferring it to the Phoenix Theatre, where it has been running ever since.  Con O'Neill, who played Mickey, won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in 1989 (1988 season) his performance.

The production is in its 21st year and has developed a cult following. The central role of Mrs. Johnstone has been played by, among others, Stephanie Lawrence, Clodagh Rodgers, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul, Siobhan McCarthy, and four of the Nolan sisters (Linda, Bernie, Denise and Maureen).  Ex-Blue member Antony Costa played the role of Mickey during 2006, starring alongside Maureen Nolan as Mrs. Johnstone. Theatre and TV star Steven Houghton joined the London cast as The Narrator in 2007. The London production currently stars Lyn Paul as Mrs Johnstone, Steven Palfreman as Mickey and Richard Reynard as Eddie. The narrator is currently played by Craig Price in the West End production.

Broadway and U.S. tour

The Broadway production opened on 25 April 1993 at the Music Box Theatre. The show closed on 30 April 1995 after 840 performances.  Several of the British actors made their Broadway debuts, including Stephanie Lawrence as Mrs. Johnstone, Con O'Neill as Mickey, Mark Michael Hutchinson as Eddie and Warwick Evans as the narrator.  Kerry Butler made her Broadway debut in the ensemble.  In order to boost box office sales, Bill Kenwright convinced Petula Clark to make her Broadway debut as Mrs. Johnstone, with real-life brothers David Cassidy and Shaun Cassidy as her sons. She later starred in the U.S. national tour from 1994–95. Clark and the Cassidys also recorded the international cast album, with Willy Russell as the Narrator. Following Clark's portrayal, Mrs. Johnstone was played other 1960s pop singers, with Carole King and Helen Reddy later playing the role on Broadway.