Multi award-winning Blood Brothers makes welcome return to Bath’s Theatre Royal

The international smash hit musical, Blood Brothers is set to visit the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 8th to Saturday 12th March. X Factor finalist and West End star Niki Evans, reprises her praised performance as Mrs Johnstone and, for the final time on tour, Sean Jones returns to play Mickey Johnstone, a role he has made his own to critical acclaim. Demand for tickets is extremely high with limited seats now available. 

Image - Blood Brothers, Sean Jones as Mickey and Joel Benedict as Eddie - Photo by Jack Merriman

This iconic musical, written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell (Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine), has triumphed across the globe, scooping up no fewer than four awards for Best Musical in London and receiving seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway. 

Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to be reunited by a twist of fate with tragic consequences. The much-loved score includes the songs A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True. 

When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again - this time with twins. In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show's shattering climax. 

This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. Produced by Bill Kenwright, the musical went on to surpass 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. The production has since triumphed across the globe, completing sell-out seasons in America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.

Niki Evans first rose to fame in 2007 when she reached the semi-final of The X Factor UK mentored by Louis Walsh. After releasing her debut solo single Love Me No More in 2008, she went on to play the lead role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers in the West End at the Phoenix Theatre in 2008, 2009 and 2010, where she received rave reviews from critics. Niki has also starred as Trish in Kinky Boots on UK tour; played Paulette in the musical Legally Blonde on UK tour; starred in pantomime; toured as a solo singer with Sonia, Lonnie Gordon, Big Fun and Yell, and performed at The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle.

Sean Jones returns to the role of Mickey Johnstone in Blood Brothers, a role he has previously played at the Theatre Royal Bath in 2005, 2013 and 2018. He was first cast in the musical in the West End in 1999. His other stage credits include Macbeth on UK Tour and in Singapore; Jacqueline Wilson’s world premiere of Wave Me Goodbye at Theatr Clwyd and numerous pantomimes at theatres across the UK. His television credits include Emmerdale, The Royal Today and Hollyoaks.

The cast for the 2022 UK tour of Blood Brothers also features Joel Benedict as Eddie, Robbie Scotcher as Narrator, Paula Tappenden as Mrs Lyons, Carly Burns as Linda, Daniel Taylor as Sammy, Tim Churchill as Mr Lyons, Grace Galloway as Donna Marie and Miss Jones, Andy Owens as Perkins, Melissa Potts as Brenda, Nick Wilkes as Teacher and Policeman, Jacob Yolland as the Bus Conductor and Josh Capper as Neighbour.

Willy Russell is one of the UK's leading contemporary dramatists. His many plays include Educating Rita, Our Day Out and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti. 

Blood Brothers is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, musical direction is by Matt Malone with set and costumes designed by Andy Walmsley. Lighting design is by Nick Richings with sound design by Dan Samson.

Blood Brothers appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 8th to Saturday 12th March. Limited ticket availability. Remaining tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk