Willy Russell News

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.

In celebration of the musicals' relaunch, Lyn Paul returns for her farewell tour in the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone, which she first made her own in London's West End. 

Forte Productions is delighted to announce that legendary Scottish singer-songwriter Barbara Dickson will play Gordon Castle in Fochabers this October.

The new season opens on Friday, 27 August when favourite funnyman Alan Carr comes to Chester to try out new material on the city's comedy fans. The evening will also include a support act. 

Berkshire Theatre Group has announced the 2021/22 fall and winter season at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge. Berkshire Theatre Group carefully monitors CDC guidelines for COVID-19 on a regular basis. They will continue to update procedures as needed. 

Middle-aged Shirley Valentine, a bored housewife from Liverpool, takes a holiday to Greece with a friend who promptly abandons her for a holiday romance. Left alone, she meets the charming taverna owner, Costas.

Rose Theatre has announced it is reopening its doors once again on 27 June 2021. Following three national lockdowns, the Rose is reopening to the public with a series of summer shows and events, including The International Youth Arts Festival by Creative Youth from 1 July 2021 and more.

Following its critically acclaimed sell-out premiere at Liverpool Theatre Festival in September, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading out on a northern tour in July following its rescheduled February dates due to lockdown.

Directed by James Hough-Neilson, One For The Road finds Dennis on the eve of his 50th birthday making a last-ditch attempt to break away from the confines of his middle-class, housing-estate existence.  

Lightlight Theatre is going back to the '80s with its latest production, a comedy from Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine playwright Willy Russell.

Storyhouse is looking forward to 2021 with a must-see programme of classic comedy, thought-provoking drama and stand-up silliness. Newly announced shows include acclaimed touring productions of stage hits Educating Rita and The Greatest Play in the History of the World, the return of Miss Julie and major names from the world of comedy.

Following its critically acclaimed sell-out premiere at Liverpool Theatre Festival in September, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading out on tour in February to coincide with LGBT History Month.

After a curtailed tour and a sold-out run at Cornwall’s Minack Theatre, Willy Russell’s beautifully poignant Educating Rita now comes to the Rose Theatre for its first performances inside a theatre in a Covid-restricted world. A bittersweet and very funny production; it has been worth the wait.

Following its critically acclaimed sell-out premiere at Liverpool Theatre Festival in September, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, will commence a short tour this year playing at venues opening to socially distanced audiences.

Hurrah for the green shoots in our beleaguered industry. Lots of venues are mounting new shows and bringing back our favourites over the next few weeks and months - albeit with social distancing and safety measures in place. Here are some of the live theatrical goodies on offer.

This week's list includes new music from Josh Groban and Broadway songs from Seth MacFarlane. In addition, The SpongeBob Musical is coming to DVD, and the lyrics of Hadestown are now available!

Today, Rose Theatre has announced it will re-open for an autumn 'Return to the Rose Season' of live performances from 28th October. This news comes exactly six months on from its enforced closure.

Following the huge success of the run in August at the Minack Open Air Theatre, the acclaimed 40th anniversary production of Willy Russell's EDUCATING RITA is coming back from Wednesday 28 October.