MAUREEN Nolan returns to the cast of smash hit musical Blood Brothers when it comes to St Helens Theatre Royal this November.

The former Nolan sister plays Mrs Johnstone, the young mother at the centre of what has been voted the most popular British musical of all time.

Maureen has played Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers in London’s West End and on tour to critical acclaim. She is the fourth Nolan sister to play the role, earning them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

Blood Brothers follows the fortunes of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and their mother’s haunting secret. The score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.

Willy Russell’s epic tale of Liverpool life ran in London’s West End for 24 years, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. Following sell-out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, the drama continues to tour the UK.

The action sees Mrs Johnstone, who is deserted by her husband and left to provide for seven children, take a job as housekeeper to make ends meet. Her world crashes around her when she finds she is pregnant again – this time with twins. Out of desperation, she makes a pact with her employer which leads to the show’s shattering climax

The international hit scooped four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

Maureen Nolan has been singing with her sisters since she was nine. The Nolans, whose hits include I’m in the Mood for Dancing, enjoyed legendary success, with phenomenal record sales worldwide - particularly in Japan where they outsold The Beatles!

Willy Russell is one of the UK’s leading contemporary dramatists whose credits also include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, both of which made the move from stage to screen. Educating Rita starred Michael Caine and Julie Walters and the hugely popular Shirley Valentine starred Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.

Directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, Blood Brothers will be on at St Helens Theatre Royal from Monday, November 17 to Saturday, November 22. It will begin at 7.30pm and there will be 2.30pm matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets costing £26, with concessions available, plus booking fee, can be purchased at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ. The box office is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Alternatively, tickets are available by calling 01744 756000 or logging on to sthelenstheatreroyal.com.