Willy Russell
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William Russell (born 23 August 1946) is an English dramatist, lyricist and composer. His best known works are ''
Educating Rita ''Educating Rita'' is a stage comedy by British playwright Willy Russell. It is a play for two actors set entirely in the office of an Open University tutor. Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, ''Educating Rita'' premièred at The Wa ...
'', ''
Shirley Valentine ''Shirley Valentine'' is a one-character play by Willy Russell. Taking the form of a monologue by a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife, it focuses on her life before and after a transforming holiday abroad. Plot Wondering what has ...
'', '' Blood Brothers'' and ''
Our Day Out ''Our Day Out'' is a television play about poor children from Liverpool, England. It was written by Willy Russell and first aired on 28 December 1977, at 9:00 p.m. on BBC2. It was later converted into a full length stage musical. Plot Th ...
''.


Early life

Russell was born in Whiston,
Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...
(which is now
Merseyside Merseyside ( ) is a metropolitan county, metropolitan and ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in North West England, with a population of List of ceremonial counties of England, 1.38 million. It encompasses both banks of the Merse ...
). On leaving school, aged 15, he became a ladies' hairdresser, eventually running his own salon, until the age of 20 when he decided to go back to college. This led to him qualifying as a teacher. During these years, Russell also worked as a semi-professional singer, writing and performing his own songs in folk clubs. At college, he began writing drama and, in 1972, took a programme of two one-act plays to the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (also referred to as The Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, or Edinburgh Fringe Festival) is the world's largest arts and media festival, which in 2019 spanned 25 days and featured more than 59,600 performances of 3,841 dif ...
, where they were seen by writer John McGrath, who recommended Russell to the
Liverpool Everyman The Everyman Theatre stands at the north end of Hope Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It was founded in 1964, in Hope Hall (once a chapel, then a cinema), in an area of Liverpool noted for its bohemian environment and political edge, a ...
, which commissioned the adaptation, ''When The Reds…'', Russell's first professional work for theatre.


Career

Russell's first play was ''Keep Your Eyes Down'' (1971), written while he trained as a teacher at Saint Katherine's College of Higher Education in Liverpool and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1971. In 1974 Russell wrote '' John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert'', a musical about
The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
. Commissioned by the Liverpool Everyman, it ran for a (then) unprecedented eight weeks before transferring to the West End where it ran for over a year, winning the Evening Standard and London Theatre Critics awards for the best musical of 1974. It premiered at the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, and then transferred to the Lyric Theatre in the West End in 1974. Alongside further stage works, '' One for the Road'' (1976) and ''
Stags and Hens ''Stags and Hens'' is a play written by Willy Russell. Like most of Willy Russell's work, the play discusses working class society in England in the 1970s. It makes comments about the working class' intellect, life, party habits and the exclusio ...
'' (1978), Russell was a screenwriter with television films, ''Death of A Young Young Man'' (1975, BBC1), ''Daughters of Albion'' (1979), ''Our Day Out'' (1977) and the five-part serial ''
One Summer ''One Summer'' is a 1983 British television drama serial written by Willy Russell and directed by Gordon Flemyng. It stars David Morrissey and Spencer Leigh as two 16-year-old Liverpool boys from broken homes who escape from their grim lives ...
'' (1983). Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, ''
Educating Rita ''Educating Rita'' is a stage comedy by British playwright Willy Russell. It is a play for two actors set entirely in the office of an Open University tutor. Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, ''Educating Rita'' premièred at The Wa ...
'' premiered at the Warehouse, London in 1980 and transferred to the West End
Piccadilly Theatre The Piccadilly Theatre is a West End theatre located at 16 Denman Street, behind Piccadilly Circus and adjacent to the Regent Palace Hotel, in the City of Westminster, London, England. Early years Built by Bertie Crewe and Edward A. Stone ...
, London in August 1980, and starred
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a ...
and
Mark Kingston Mark Kingston (18 April 1934 – 9 October 2011) was an English actor who made many television and stage appearances over his 50-year career. Biography Kingston's father was a blacksmith and he attended Greenwich Central School and traine ...
. Since its premiere and long West End run (the play ran to "at least" June 1982), the play has been translated and produced in almost every part the globe garnering awards both for its author and for many of the actors who have played the roles of Rita and Frank. Returning to the Liverpool Everyman in 1986, Russell wrote ''
Shirley Valentine ''Shirley Valentine'' is a one-character play by Willy Russell. Taking the form of a monologue by a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife, it focuses on her life before and after a transforming holiday abroad. Plot Wondering what has ...
'' which went on to an acclaimed West End run, earning
Olivier Award The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known as ...
s for both its author (Comedy of the Year) and star
Pauline Collins Pauline Collins (born 3 September 1940) is a British actress who first came to prominence portraying Sarah Moffat in '' Upstairs, Downstairs'' (1971–1973) and its spin-off, ''Thomas & Sarah'' (1979). In 1992, she published her autobiography, ...
(Actress of the Year in a New Play). The play transferred to New York for a highly successful
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
run in February 1989 to November 1989, and a
Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...
as Best Actress for Collins. Both ''
Educating Rita ''Educating Rita'' is a stage comedy by British playwright Willy Russell. It is a play for two actors set entirely in the office of an Open University tutor. Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, ''Educating Rita'' premièred at The Wa ...
'' (1983) and ''
Shirley Valentine ''Shirley Valentine'' is a one-character play by Willy Russell. Taking the form of a monologue by a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife, it focuses on her life before and after a transforming holiday abroad. Plot Wondering what has ...
'' (1989) became feature films with
Michael Caine Sir Michael Caine (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite; 14 March 1933) is an English actor. Known for his distinctive Cockney accent, he has appeared in more than 160 films in a career spanning seven decades, and is considered a British film ico ...
,
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a ...
and Pauline Collins all receiving Oscar nominations for their respective roles, as did Russell for his ''Educating Rita'' screenplay. Russell's other worldwide theatrical success has been '' Blood Brothers'', "a Liverpudlian folk opera" about a pair of twins separated at birth and brought up in completely different environments. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1983. Its 1988 revival had over 10,000 consecutive performances during its 24-year West End run, which ended in November 2012. Simultaneously, there were UK touring and international productions, including a two-year run on Broadway starting in 1993. The Broadway production was nominated for the 1993 Tony Award, Best Musical. In 1985, Russell co-wrote the song "The Show", the theme for the TV series ''
Connie Connie is a given name. It is often a pet form (hypocorism) of Concetta, Constance, Cornelia, or Cornelius. Given name or nickname Women * Connie Achurra, Chilean chef * Connie Binsfeld (1924–2014), American politician * Connie Booth ...
'' with series creator Ron Hutchinson. The song was performed by vocalist
Rebecca Storm Rebecca Storm is a British singer and musical theatre actress. Her 1985 hit single "The Show" was the theme to the ITV television series ''Connie''. Early career Rebecca Storm found her passion for singing when she was 11, although she began s ...
and released as a single by Towerbell Records in June 1985, reaching number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. Russell (with musical collaborator Bob Eaton) realised a long-held ambition to develop ''
Our Day Out ''Our Day Out'' is a television play about poor children from Liverpool, England. It was written by Willy Russell and first aired on 28 December 1977, at 9:00 p.m. on BBC2. It was later converted into a full length stage musical. Plot Th ...
'' further and after extensive rewriting, and recomposing created '' Our Day Out – The Musical''. This modern musical retelling retains all the characters and plot of the original but with the action brought forward to today with a new score and lyrics to reflect this twenty first century setting. The musical was produced in 2010 at the
Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool The Royal Court Theatre is a theatre located at 1 Roe Street in Liverpool, England. The current Royal Court Theatre was opened on 17 October 1938, after fire destroyed its predecessor. It was rebuilt in Art Deco style and soon became Liverpool's ...
. ''
The Wrong Boy ''The Wrong Boy'', published in 2000, is playwright Willy Russell’s first novel. Russell is mainly known for his plays ''Educating Rita'' and ''Shirley Valentine'' which have both been made into films, and '' Blood Brothers'', a musical. ...
'', Willy Russell's first novel, was published in 2000. In 2004, Russell returned to his original singer/songwriter roots, releasing his album, ''Hoovering the Moon'' on Pure Records. Russell also co-produced the
Tim Firth Tim Firth (born 13 October 1964) is an English dramatist, screenwriter and songwriter. Life and career Firth was born in Frodsham, England. He spent much of his time at school writing songs and it was only a few weeks before going to Cambrid ...
album ''Harmless Flirting''. In 2013, the Archive and Special Collections department of Liverpool John Moores University established the Willy Russell Archive containing manuscripts, programmes, publicity and media material including newspaper cuttings and press releases, correspondence, legal, financial and administrative documents, records relating to the casting and audition process, audio and film material, and promotional ephemera. The material was produced throughout the course of Russell's career and is a comprehensive representation of his work to date. It also illustrates Russell's collaborative works, both written and musical.Jones, Catherine
"Willy Russell archive launched at Liverpool John Moores University"
liverpoolecho.co.uk, 28 November 2013.


Personal life

In 1969, Russell married Annie Seagroatt; the couple have one son, Rob, and two daughters, Rachel and Ruth.Levin, Angela

''
Daily Telegraph Daily or The Daily may refer to: Journalism * Daily newspaper, newspaper issued on five to seven day of most weeks * ''The Daily'' (podcast), a podcast by ''The New York Times'' * ''The Daily'' (News Corporation), a defunct US-based iPad new ...
'', 15 October 2012; accessed 15 October 2014.


Works

* ''Keep Your Eyes Down'' (play 168881) * ''Sam O'Shanker'' (play 1972, musical 1973) * '' John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert'' (musical 1974) * ''Death of a Young Man (play 1974) * ''Breezeblock Park'' (play 1975) * ''
Our Day Out ''Our Day Out'' is a television play about poor children from Liverpool, England. It was written by Willy Russell and first aired on 28 December 1977, at 9:00 p.m. on BBC2. It was later converted into a full length stage musical. Plot Th ...
'' (made-for-TV film 1976, musical stage version, 2010) * ''
Our Day Out ''Our Day Out'' is a television play about poor children from Liverpool, England. It was written by Willy Russell and first aired on 28 December 1977, at 9:00 p.m. on BBC2. It was later converted into a full length stage musical. Plot Th ...
'' (play 1977, later adapted for musical) * ''Blind Scouse'' * '' One for the Road'' (play 1976) * ''I Read the News Today'' (BBC Schools Radio Play, 1976) * ''
Stags and Hens ''Stags and Hens'' is a play written by Willy Russell. Like most of Willy Russell's work, the play discusses working class society in England in the 1970s. It makes comments about the working class' intellect, life, party habits and the exclusio ...
'' (1978 play, filmed in 1990 as ''
Dancin' Thru the Dark ''Screen One'' is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and distributed by BBC Worldwide, that was transmitted on BBC One from 1989 to 1998. A total of six series were broadcast, incorporating sixty individual fil ...
'') * ''
Educating Rita ''Educating Rita'' is a stage comedy by British playwright Willy Russell. It is a play for two actors set entirely in the office of an Open University tutor. Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, ''Educating Rita'' premièred at The Wa ...
'' (play 1980, film 1983) * ''The Boy with the Transistor Radio'' (1980) * ''
One Summer ''One Summer'' is a 1983 British television drama serial written by Willy Russell and directed by Gordon Flemyng. It stars David Morrissey and Spencer Leigh as two 16-year-old Liverpool boys from broken homes who escape from their grim lives ...
'' (TV series 1983) * '' Blood Brothers'' (musical 1983) * ''Connie'' (TV series, co-wrote theme tune "The Show" 1985) * ''
Shirley Valentine ''Shirley Valentine'' is a one-character play by Willy Russell. Taking the form of a monologue by a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife, it focuses on her life before and after a transforming holiday abroad. Plot Wondering what has ...
'' (play 1986, film 1989) * '' Terraces'' (BBC TV film 1993) * ''The Wrong Boy'' (first novel, 2000) * ''Hoovering the Moon'' (music album, 2003) * '' Our Day Out – The Musical'' (2009/10)


Awards and nominations

;Awards * 1980:
Laurence Olivier Award The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known as ...
for Best New Comedy – ''Educating Rita'' * 1983: Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical – ''Blood Brothers'' * 1988: Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy – ''Shirley Valentine'' * 1990:
Evening Standard The ''Evening Standard'', formerly ''The Standard'' (1827–1904), also known as the ''London Evening Standard'', is a local free daily newspaper in London, England, published Monday to Friday in tabloid format. In October 2009, after be ...
British Film Award for Best Screenplay – ''Shirley Valentine'' ;Nominations * 1984:
Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – ''Educating Rita'' * 1984:
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
nomination for Best Motion Picture Screenplay – ''Educating Rita'' * 1984: BAFTA nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – ''Educating Rita'' * 1989 Tony Award for Best Play – ''Shirley Valentine'' * 1990: BAFTA nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – ''Shirley Valentine'' * 1993: Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical – ''Blood Brothers''


References


External links


Willy Russell Homepage
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Willy 1947 births Living people Alumni of Liverpool Hope University English dramatists and playwrights English musical theatre composers English male composers Laurence Olivier Award winners People from Whiston, Merseyside English male dramatists and playwrights