Original Blood Brothers Play For Grand's Youth Theatre

Willy Russell's heartbreaking play is brought to life in the Lawrence House Studio on March 3 and 4. The Grand Theatre Youth Academy presents the captivating play of twin boys, separated at birth, only to be re-united by a twist of fate and a mother's haunting secret.

Written by the legendary Willy Russell, Blood Brothers is set in Liverpool, 1962. Mrs Johnstone and her family live in a poor part of Liverpool, in stark contrast to Mr and Mrs Lyons who live a much more comfortable life in the sophisticated end of town. Mrs Johnstone is deserted by her husband and takes a job as a housekeeper to make ends meet. But her fragile world comes crashing down when she discovers she is pregnant again - with twins!

In a moment of desperation she enters a secret pact with her employer"¦

This powerful production is a revival of the original play and is ideally suited for performance by Grand Theatre Academy junior members.

Blood Brothers was originally commissioned by Paul Harman's Merseyside Young People's Theatre Company (at the Everyman Theatre) for Secondary school children. It was first performed as a play at Fazakerley Comprehensive, Liverpool in November 1981. Willy Russell then spent the next year turning the play into a full-scale musical at Liverpool Playhouse, revising the book, writing the lyrics and composing all the music himself. He went on to become a multi-talented playwright, musician and novelist, with the musical of Blood Brothers in continuous production worldwide for over twenty years.

Tickets for Blood Brothers the play at the Lawrence House Studio on Saturday 3 March and Sunday 4 March at 2pm & 8pm are priced at £6 and are on sale now from the Grand Theatre Box Office. -- www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk