Willy Russell is a famous director in the theatre, Taliep Petersen and he wrote District Six which was set in an area in Cape Town and has a blend of English and Afrikaans.
Russell wrote ‘Blood Brothers’ as a school play in conjunction with Merseyside Young Peoples play.
Over the past three decades ‘Blood Brothers’ has been seen by millions of audiences as it played more the 10 000 performances in London. This makes it the third longest running musical to play in the LondonWest End.
The central role (Mrs Johnstone) was played by Bianca Le Grange who had her breakthrough on South African Idols in 2002.
Born into a musical family, Le Grange has always had a passion for music and the performing arts.
Blood Brothers is, at first, a heart- warming story of Mickey and Edward, two brothers separated at birth, brought together again through a chance meeting and ensuring friendship.
However, their familial relationship is concealed by their guardians who strive to keep them apart because of circumstance and superstitious beliefs
Despite relocating, their lives continue to intertwine, although the deep division between the privileged life of Edward and poverty-stricken existence of Mickey is very apparent.
As adults, they are caught up in vicious love triangle with Mickey’s childhood sweetheart, Linda.
Mickey’s imprisonment and depression have pushed Linda into Edward’s arms.
A desperate Mickey takes drastic action against his twin which will ultimately expose their true identities.