Marti Pellow and Maureen Nolan confirmed for Blood Brothers autumn tour
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FOLLOWING a successful spring season of sell-out shows, Marti Pellow returns by popular demand to his role as Narrator for the autumn leg of Blood Brothers, which opens at New Wimbledon Theatre (Tuesday, September 8 to Saturday, September 12, 2015).
Pellow extends his role in Willy Russell’s critically-acclaimed musical at selected theatres across the UK. Also returning to the show will be Maureen Nolan, who reprises her role as the tragic Mrs Johnstone.
Marti Pellow is one of music’s most respected artists. For over 30 years, he has enjoyed global success: as the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet, as a solo artist, and as one of the UK’s most acclaimed leading men of musical theatre with starring roles in Evita, Blood Brothers, The Witches of Eastwick, Chess, Jekyll & Hyde and Chicago.
As a solo-singer, recording artist and with Wet Wet Wet, Marti Pellow has enjoyed virtually unrivalled chart success, with over 25 hits and three of the UK’s biggest number one singles, including the seminal Love Is All Around. In 2013, after 20 years apart, Wet Wet Wet reunited for a sell-out arena tour.
That same year, Pellow released Hope, his eighth solo album, and this year he released Boulevard of Life, which saw him return to his roots as a singer-songwriter and collaborate with some of his closest friends in the industry, including Chris Difford from Squeeze, for an album of soul, country and pop.
Maureen Nolan has been singing with her sisters since she was nine years old. Together they became one of Europe’s first girl bands – The Nolans. The Nolans’ success is legendary, including phenomenal record sales worldwide, particularly in Japan where they sold more records than The Beatles! Maureen has played Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers in the West End and on tour to critical acclaim. She was the fourth Nolan sister to play the role, earning them entry in to the Guinness Book of Records.
Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True.
Read more about Blood Brothers.
Following the Wimbledon dates, the tour will continue to The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (September 14 – 26); New Theatre, Cardiff (September 28 to October 10); Hawth Theatre, Crawley (October 12 – 17); The Playhouse, Weston-Super-Mare (October 19 – 24); Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (October 26 – 31); and the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (November 10 – 14), with further dates to be announced.