Blood Brothers is the hugely popular play by the well-known author of Educating Rita, Willy Russell. This original version of the script known as the studio script is perceptive, though-provoking, funny yet ultimately tragic and will be performed in February 2001, in the YMCA Theatre Cardiff.

Written originally for the Merseyside Young People's Theatre Company, it takes as its starting point a traditional narrative in literature, but handles the idea in a very modern way. It tells the tale of twin brothers, born initially into a large working-class family, then separated at birth after their mother decides to have one of them adopted. Although the mother is originally determined that the two boys should never meet nor associate, fate intervenes. The brothers, Eddie and Mickey, unwittingly meet and ironically swear to become blood brothers. Although their liking for each other prevails at first, their contrasting background and environments ultimately force them apart.

Blood Brothers looks at the difference and conflicts of their upbringing, their relationships both with each other and with their real and adopted mothers. Willy Russell demonstrates how success in life is not determined by innate qualities but by the privileges, or disadvantages of our upbringing and this pervasive inequality is magnificently dramatised in the contrasting fortunes of Blood Brothers.

Where? Cardiff YMCA Theatre, The Walk, Roath, Cardiff. When? 6th ~ 10th February 2001 at 7:30pm (Saturday Matinee 10th February 2001 at 2:00pm) Tickets? Ticket are available from the Cardiff University Students Union Box Office from January 5th 2001. Price: £ 4.50 Students Union Box Office, 029 20 781400