Blood Brothers will return to the stage in Chester this autumn as part of a major UK tour.
The award-winning musical, written by Willy Russell and produced by Bill Kenwright, will run at Storyhouse from Tuesday, October 13, to Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Vivienne Carlyle will return as Mrs Johnstone, with Kristofer Harding as the Narrator, and Sean Jones and Joe Sleight as the Johnstone twins, Mickey and Eddie.
A spokesman for the production said: "Written by Willy Russell, few musicals have been received with as much acclaim as Blood Brothers. Considered ‘one of the best musicals ever’ (Sunday Times), Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in the West End and has been affectionately christened The Standing Ovation Musical as inevitably it ‘brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval’ (Daily Mail)."
Blood Brothers tells the story of twin brothers separated at birth who are raised in very different circumstances and later reunited, with tragic results.
Set in Liverpool, the narrative centres on Mrs Johnstone, who is left to raise seven children alone after being abandoned by her husband.
Upon discovering she is pregnant with twins, she makes a desperate arrangement with her employer that sets the stage for the story’s dramatic conclusion.
The musical began life as a play performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981 before debuting as a musical at the city’s Playhouse Theatre in 1983.
It has since enjoyed international success, with sell-out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan.
The show has won four Best Musical awards in London and received seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.
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Mr Russell is acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading contemporary playwrights.
His other works include Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine, Our Day Out, Stags and Hens, Breezeblock Park, and John Paul, George, Ringo… and Bert.
The touring cast also features Tricia Adele Turner as Mrs Lyons, Tim Churchill as Mr Lyons, and Beth Danher as Linda.
The production is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, with Andy Walmsley handling set and costume design, Dan Samson on sound, and Nick Richings on lighting.
Tickets start at £24.75 for Storyhouse Members.
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