Legendary musical Blood Brothers is on its way to Carlisle.
The award-winning show – which surpassed 10,000 performances in the West End – will be at the Sands Centre from October 4 to October 8.
Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 11.
Niki Evans, returns to the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone, after first joining the show in London’s West End and received standing ovations for her powerful and poignant ballads, while Sean Jones returns as Micke Johnstone, a role which he has previously made his own, to critical acclaim.
Also joining the cast for 2022 are Carly Burns as Linda, Melissa Potts as Brenda and Jacob Yolland as the Bus Conductor.
Completing the company are Joel Benedict (Eddie), Josh Capper (Neighbour), Paula Tappenden (Mrs Lyons), Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons), Grace Galloway (Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Andy Owens (Perkins), Robbie Scotcher (Narrator), Daniel Taylor (Sammy) and Nick Wilkes (Teacher/Policeman).
Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, the score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
Blood Brothers tells the tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.
When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins!
In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads to the show’s shattering climax.
Niki Evans first rose to fame in 2007 when she reached the semi-final of series 4 of The X Factor UK mentored by Louis Walsh. After her debut solo single Love Me No More in 2008, she went on to play Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers where she received rave reviews from critics.
Over the years, Niki has toured as a solo singer with pop stars such as Sonia, Lonnie Gordon, Big Fun and Yell. In 2016, she performed at the Queen’s 90th celebrations at Windsor Castle alongside Dame Helen Mirren, Damien Lewis, Andrea Boccelli, Katherine Jenkins, Gary Barlow, Kylie Minogue and many more.
