Willy Russell News

Hot on the heels of half-term pantomime The Wizard Of Oz, St Helens Theatre Royal has announced the cast for its Easter extravaganza. Peter Pan will entertainment audiences during the Easter holidays. The show is part of the venue’s exciting Spring Season 2022 programme. 

The heroine in this actor's tour-de-force is an ordinary middle-class English housewife. As she prepares ‘chips and egg’ for dinner, she ruminates on her life and tells the wall about her husband, her children, her past…and an attractive offer from her best friend, inviting Shirley to join her on holiday in Greece to search for romance and adventure. Written by Willy Russell, Cotuit Center for the Arts’ production of Shirley Valentine is directed by Jay Stewart and stars Kristin Stewart as the titular Shirley.

Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers remains one of only three shows to play for over 10,000 performances in the West End, bringing audiences to their feet night after night in the days when standing ovations were not always the default. A tale more than tinged with Greek tragedy, Russell’s examination of class, opportunity and poverty is given an injection of enthusiasm and vitality by an excellent cast in this touring production.

Following the wonderful success of the current sold-out season – SHIRLEY VALENTINE is to return to Montecasino from 22 June! Bookings are now open at Computicket and at the Theatre box office.

KCKB Productions will present Philadelphia and Hedgerow Theatre favorite Susan Wefel in Willy Russell's ' Shirley Valentine' with special direction by Micki Sharpe at the Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point,NJ on Sunday February 13th at 3pm and Monday February 14th at 7pm.

Cotuit Center for the Arts has announced another season jam-packed with programming, Gallery exhibits, classes, fundraisers, and more. After reopening in 2021 following the 2020 lockdown, the Center came back strong and laid some exciting groundwork for 2022.

KCKB Productions will present Philadelphia and Hedgerow Theatre favorite Susan Wefel in Willy Russell's ' Shirley Valentine' with special direction by Micki Sharpe at the Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point,NJ on Sunday February 13th at 3pm and Monday February 14th at 7pm.

Bill Kenwright's legendary, award-winning production of the international smash hit musical, Blood Brothers returns to the stage in 2022 for a 16-week tour from 14 January at Theatre Royal Windsor. The much-loved musical, performed to sell-out houses on its recent 2021 UK tour and returns with gusto, running nationally from 14 January – 07 May 2022.

Some of you will remember her.  Willy Russell's heroine of the 80's.  She played the West End and Broadway, won numerous accolades and was celebrated in film. Her name was Shirley Valentine, before she became Shirley Bradshaw, a middle aged woman, lost in her role as mother to two grown children, and wife to a husband in a somewhat stale marriage.

Today the RSC announced the death of Sir Antony Sher, Honorary Associate Artist and husband of Artistic Director, Gregory Doran. Antony was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year with Gregory taking compassionate leave from his role in September to care for Antony.

Written by Matthew Lombardo, 'WHO'S HOLIDAY!' reconnects us with the infamous Cindy Lou Who, now middle-aged and bitter by the reality of adulthood, living in her shoddy trailer home on Mount Crumpit, former hideout of the infamous Grinch. While she awaits her Christmas party guests, she regales listeners with the bizarre journey her life has taken since that fateful night in Whoville when a certain Grinch tried to steal Christmas. This hysterical and wild parody is a must-see for mischievous ADULT theatre-goers this holiday season!

Following its critically acclaimed sell-out at Liverpool Theatre Festival and Northern tour, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading to London this month for one week only.  

Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers has returned to our stages. The moving story follows two brothers born in Liverpool who are separated at birth, destined to lead very different, only to meet again with tragic consequences. Now in its 30th year, the most recent UK tour is currently playing the King’s Theatre in Glasgow.

In the hands of Hill and May audiences sit back, relax, and fall spellbound as she shares stories of her very average ordinary daily existence. May’s command of the stage for two hours is impressive. Her Shirley is comfortable, relaxed, and easy to get familiar with. She evolves into a wise and trusted old friend.

Following its critically acclaimed sell-out at Liverpool Theatre Festival and Northern tour, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading to The Coro in Ulverston prior to a London run.  

Following its sell-out at Liverpool Theatre Festival and Northern tour, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading to London for one week only. Swan Song, a one-man play starring acclaimed stage and screen star Andrew Lancel, directed by BAFTA award-winning director Noreen Kershaw and produced by Bill Elms.

Brilliantly told with warmth and humor by the author of Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine follows a bored, middle-aged Liverpool housewife trapped in a stale, loveless marriage, who finds herself talking to the wall while she prepares her husband's chips 'n' egg, wondering what happened to her life.

Bill Kenwright's legendary production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers returns to the stage. The much-loved musical, which performed to sell-out houses and standing ovations on its most recent UK tour in 2019-2020, returns with gusto to Birmingham Hippodrome this November.

Kimberley Hart Simpson (Coronation Street; Hollyoaks) will take on the role that made Julie Walters a breakthrough star as she steps into the titular role of Educating Rita. She will be joined by Keith Hill (Les Enfants Terribles’ Vaudevillains; The Curse of Edgar) in this witty and heartwarming classic at Mowlem Theatre this September.

After a cancelled season, Bruxellons! Festival briefly decided to go ahead with what for francophones will be a delicious discovery of a show, despite production uncertainties and a lack of support from the Belgian government. How brave! We have to be thankful to them for the bold choice of presenting a British musical which, in spite of being the third longest running in London, right after Phantom and Les Miz, is totally unknown in the French-speaking world.