One of the most-produced writers of his time, Willy Russell (b. Whiston, Liverpool, 23 Aug. 1947) is a playwright and songwriter. He has written a large number of highly successful plays and musicals for stage and TV including John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert (1974), Breezeblock Park (1975), One for the Road (1976),Our Day Out (television 1977; stage musical version 1983), Stags and Hens (1978; filmed as Dancin' thru the Dark, 1990), Educating Rita (1979), Blood Brothers(1981; musical version 1983), and Shirley Valentine (1986). His novel, The Wrong Boy, was published to great acclaim in 2000.

Willy Russell's plays... speak to even the critical heart.' Libby Purves, The Times, 28.07.10 'When Shirley blossoms on her sneakily planned Greek holiday, her feminimity unfurls disarmingly, and there are moments of pathos throughout.' Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard, 28.07.10 'You peer into these windows onto other lives, and see your own world partially reflected back at you. Highly recommended.' Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph, 29.07.10

One of the most-produced writers of his time, Willy Russell (b. Whiston, Liverpool, 23 Aug. 1947) is a playwright and songwriter. He has written a large number of highly successful plays and musicals for stage and TV including John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert (1974), Breezeblock Park (1975), One for the Road (1976),Our Day Out (television 1977; stage musical version 1983), Stags and Hens (1978; filmed as Dancin' thru the Dark, 1990), Educating Rita (1979), Blood Brothers(1981; musical version 1983), and Shirley Valentine (1986). His novel, The Wrong Boy, was published to great acclaim in 2000.

Willy Russell's plays... speak to even the critical heart.' Libby Purves, The Times, 28.07.10 'When Shirley blossoms on her sneakily planned Greek holiday, her feminimity unfurls disarmingly, and there are moments of pathos throughout.' Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard, 28.07.10 'You peer into these windows onto other lives, and see your own world partially reflected back at you. Highly recommended.' Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph, 29.07.10

One of the most-produced writers of his time, Willy Russell (b. Whiston, Liverpool, 23 Aug. 1947) is a playwright and songwriter. He has written a large number of highly successful plays and musicals for stage and TV including John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert (1974), Breezeblock Park (1975), One for the Road (1976),Our Day Out (television 1977; stage musical version 1983), Stags and Hens (1978; filmed as Dancin' thru the Dark, 1990), Educating Rita (1979), Blood Brothers(1981; musical version 1983), and Shirley Valentine (1986). His novel, The Wrong Boy, was published to great acclaim in 2000.

Willy Russell's plays... speak to even the critical heart.' Libby Purves, The Times, 28.07.10 'When Shirley blossoms on her sneakily planned Greek holiday, her feminimity unfurls disarmingly, and there are moments of pathos throughout.' Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard, 28.07.10 'You peer into these windows onto other lives, and see your own world partially reflected back at you. Highly recommended.' Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph, 29.07.10