When in Blood Brothers (Willy Russel) set when Eddie and Mickey are 7 years old?
The original production by Willy Russell was written as a school production in 1981. Russell then developed the work into a full-blown musical, which opened in the Liverpool Playhouse, in 1983, starring Barbara Dickson and Andrew C. Wadsworth. It was only a modest success. The show transferred to London, where it played for only six months or so before closing, although it won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Bill Kenwright took over the show, and following a year-long national tour it reopened in the Albery Theatre in London in 1988 before transferring it to the Phoenix Theatre, where it has been running ever since. Con O’Neill, who played Mickey, won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in 1989 (1988 season) for his performance. The production is in its 21st year and has developed a cult following. The central role of Mrs. Johnstone has been played by, among others, Stephanie Lawrence, Clodagh Rodgers, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul, Siobhan McCarthy, and four of the Nolan sisters (L
