Willy Russell

Date of Birth:
23rd August 1947


Show History:

• Blood Brothers

Current Role

Russell's Blood Brothers the musical is currently showing in London. This powerfully emotive production has proved popular with London audiences and has been playing for over twenty years including several UK tours.

Early Life

Willy Russell was born 23 August 1947 in Whiston, Merseyside into a household with a strong tradition of story telling. He left school at 15 years old with only one O Level and became a women's hairdresser at his mothers suggestion, eventually managing his own shop. Russell was never satisfied with his job and spent most of his time composing songs.

After leaving his hairdressing job, Russell decided to return to full-time education at 20 years old. Whilst training to be a teacher at St. Catherine's College of Education he developed an interest in drama and began night classes.

Career Highlights

Russell's has wrote a host of successful plays including his first play Keep Your Eyes Down. He was commissioned to write a play by the RSC and the resulting Educating Rita. Willy Russell wrote Blood Brothers the musical in 1983 and Shirley Valentine in 1988

Russell has been writing songs since the 1960s and wrote the score and lyrics to his hit musical Blood Brothers (currently playing at the Phoenix Theatre) along with the score for Shirley Valentine and several other plays.

Interesting Facts

• Willy Russell's writing began as a folk songwriter, he released his first album Hoovering The Moon in 2003.
• In 2004 Russell performed in a music group with the writer Tim Firth (TV's All Quiet On The Preston Front)

Awards

• Willy Russell has won 3 Olivier Awards, 1980's Best New Comedy for Educating Rita, 1983's Best New Musical for Blood Brothers and 1988's Best New Comedy for Shirley Valentine.
• Nominated for an Academy Award
• The Evening Standard Film Award for Best Screenplay - Shirley Valentine