Smash hit musical Blood Brothers which performed to sell-out houses and standing ovations on its most recent UK tour is returning to the New Theatre Oxford this month.

It stars Lyn Paul on her farewell tour in the role of Mrs Johnstone which she first made her own in London’s West End.

Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, the show tells the moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.

It started out as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983.

The musical has since triumphed across the globe, scooping four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

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The score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True.

Ms Paul first found fame in the early 1970s as a member of the New Seekers whose hit I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing remains one of the 100 best-selling UK singles of all time.

Willy Russell is one of the UK's leading contemporary dramatists with credits including Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine.

The show runs from August 31 to September 4. To book log on to www.atgtickets.com/oxford