| 2010 |
In February 2010 Lyn Paul returned to her role as Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers.
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| Kent & Sussex Courier, 19th January 2010, page 5. |
Lyn goes back to role she's made her own
Previewing Blood Brothers arrival in Tunbridge Wells, the Kent & Sussex Courier spoke to Lyn Paul about the show's enduring appeal.
"People say to me that they saw it years ago and it's very different now, but that's not true. Not a thing has been changed. It's just that there's so much in it; you can't take it all in, seeing it just once."
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| Malvern Gazette, 17th February 2010. |
Blood Brothers calls into the county
"Lyn Paul, one of the original members of the chart topping New Seekers, will be appearing in the highly acclaimed lead role of Mrs. Johnstone when the ‘musical for all time’, Blood Brothers calls into the county next month..."
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| Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 19th February 2010. |
Lyn revisits an emotional stage role
"New Seeker Lyn Paul, takes on the role of beleaguered Mrs. Johnson in much-loved musical Blood Brothers, which is coming to Bradford next month."
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| yourtunbridgewells, 24th February 2010. |
Blood Brothers
by Jane Connolly
"Always a likeable character, despite her law-breaking brood, Mrs. Johnstone's grief and regret is never far from the surface and her terrible decision never alienates the audience. This is in part due to Russell's characterisation and honest dialogue, but Paul's performance undoubtedly places the audience firmly in Mrs. Johnstone's cheap shoes."
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| Malvern Gazette, 25th February 2010. |
Former pop star takes a leading role
"Lyn Paul, one of the original members of the New Seekers, stars in Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers at Malvern Theatres next month..."
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| Malvern Gazette, 2nd March 2010. |
Blood Brothers works its magic again in Malvern
"A great ensemble cast, led by Lyn Paul and with understudy David Cooper playing Mickey as if born to the part, made the magic happen again in Malvern on Monday night, the story delivered with boundless energy and heartfelt sincerity."
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| Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 15th March 2010. |
Mother, son... and Brothers
"She taught the world to sing with the New Seekers, and now she’s at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre to perform in Blood Brothers – bringing her son with her... 'To know it’s my son who’s lighting me is an absolute joy,' she says."
Show's infused with emotion (page 14)
by Emma Clayton
"I've seen several actresses play Mrs. Johnstone and each brings something new. There was an endearing vulnerability beneath Lyn Paul's tough cookie and her fabulous singing voice was beautifully showcased in numbers such as Easy Terms and My Child... A cracking production that had a packed audience on its feet."
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| Richmond & Twickenham Times, Friday, 26th March 2010. |
Blood Brothers - review
by Liz Colbert
An abbreviated review of Blood Brothers appeared in the printed edition of the Richmond & Twickenham Times. The online version of the review added: "Due to the indisposition of Lyn Paul, the West End’s Vivienne Carlyle reprised her role as Mrs. Johnstone and was simply superb."
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| Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 26th March 2010, page 12. |
Star who's still living a dream come true
by Andy Smart
Lyn Paul was interviewed by the Nottingham Evening Post the week before she was due to arrive in Nottingham with the touring production of Blood Brothers. Whether or not she'd make it there was in some doubt.
"Lyn Paul is clearly not fighting fit. The croak in her normally crystal pure voice is a dead giveaway. 'I have had a chest infection and it has affected my vocal chords,' says the star of perennial favourite Blood Brothers, which returns to Nottingham on Monday...
Thankfully, Ms Paul assures me: 'I will be back for Nottingham'."
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| Liverpool Echo, 26th March 2010, page 6. |
Blood mother
by Catherine Jones
An interview in which Lyn Paul talked about Blood Brothers and about another role she'd love to play: “I’ve said it for years, but I’d give my eye teeth to play Rose in 'Gypsy'."
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| Derby Evening Telegraph, 27th March 2010, page 23. |
Lyn's got play in her blood
by Andy Smart
Lyn talked to Andy Smart about acting: "I have always sung, but acting was something I wanted to do. I am a huge Bette Davis fan, I love that era, Bette, Joan Crawford, but it was something I never thought I could do. I had been in pantos, but nothing serious. Mrs. Johnstone gave me this huge new career, she made my dreams come true."
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| Nottingham Evening Post, Wednesday, 31st March 2010. |
Review: Blood Brothers, Theatre Royal
by Andy Smart
"Back comes incomparable Lyn Paul, surely the definitive Mrs. Johnstone, the impoverished Liverpool mum who sells one of her twin sons to her wealthy employer to put bread on the table."
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| Nottingham Evening Post, 2nd April 2010, page 12. |
Show's still sweeping star Robbie away
by Andy Smart
An interview with the Narrator from Blood Brothers, Robbie Scotcher, who spoke about working with Lyn Paul:
"Honestly, to watch her do it is phenomenal... There are certain things she brings to it. Mrs. Johnstone is a hard woman, you see that side of it, but you also see the vulnerability. And her singing voice is exceptional, she is just amazing."
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| Derby Evening Telegraph, 5th April 2010, page 19. |
Quality Time
The regular round-up of local entertainment featured a photo of Lyn Paul as Mrs. Johnstone and Paul Davies (Eddie) in Blood Brothers.
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| Nottingham Evening Post, 10th April 2010, page 14. |
Brothers Brilliant
Letter from Jean Taylor
"Lyn Paul as Mrs. Johnstone was excellent; it was a packed theatre and a great night out."
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| Daily Post, 14th April 2010. |
My son lights up stage (page 1)
"Lyn Paul, who last night started her latest run as Mrs. Johnstone in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers, at the Liverpool Empire, pictured with her son, Ryan, who is working as a lighting technician on the show."
THEATRE Blood Brothers / Liverpool Empire (page 16)
by Emma Pinch
"Lyn Paul, as the careworn single mum who makes a devastating decision to give away one of her twins, was the backbone of the show... the beauty of her pure, strong voice rubbed away the faintly anachronistic feel of songs like Marilyn Monroe, while her soaring rendition of Easy Terms matched the exquisite pathos of the lyrics...
In the final scene, her voice breaking over Tell Me It's Not True, Mrs. Johnstone kissed and folded the covers over her two sons, for all the world like she was tucking up in for bed."
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| Liverpool Echo, 14th April 2010. |
Family theatre (page 11)
"Actress Lyn Paul is playing Mrs. Johnstone in the production, currently running at the Empire Theatre Liverpool, while her son, 20-year-old Ryan Young is working backstage lighting the show."
Review: Blood Brothers, Theatre Royal (page 27)
by Catherine Jones
"Here it's Lyn Paul who dons the pinny to reprise the role she last played at the Empire in Capital of Culture year, and on three previous outings.
The former New Seeker proves a commanding linchpin at the centre of a talented team of performers in this touring production from Blood Brothers' veteran Bill Kenwright."
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| Liverpool Echo, 19th April 2010, page 10. |
Role reflects spirit of city women
by Dawn Collinson
An article featuring the throughts of Mrs. Johnstones past and present, including Lyn Paul: "I love it, absolutely love it. The Liverpudlians just open their hearts and their arms to me and welcome me as a Liverpudlian..."
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| Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury, 15th April 2010. |
Musical of all time
A news item in the Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury letting locals know that Blood Brothers was on its way.
"Lyn Paul, one of the original members of the chart topping band New Seekers, will be taking the highly-acclaimed lead role of Mr.s Johnstone in Blood Brothers at the Bristol Hippodrome from April 26 to May 8."
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| Bristol Evening Post, 22nd April 2010, page 10. |
Russell's classic musical still packs an emotional punch
A news item in the Bristol Eveing Post heralding the imminent arrival of Blood Brothers at the Bristol Hippodrome.
"The 'musical for all time' is back on tour with Lyn Paul... Lyn first joined the West End production of Blood Brothers in 1997, starring in the lead role for the next three years, including during the show's 10th anniversary year."
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| Western Daily Press, 23rd April 2010, page 23. |
Brothers packs an emotional punch
A news item about Blood Brothers.
"The 'musical for all time' is back on tour with Lyn Paul, one of the original members of the chart-topping New Seekers, reprising the role of the careworn Mrs. Johnstone for the fifth time."
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| South Wales Argus, 28th April 2010. |
Blood Brothers, Bristol Hippodrome
by Rachel Howells
"Reprising her role of Mrs. Johnstone, Lyn Paul was superb. She played the part of a down on her luck mother with sympathy and the performance was so full of emotion she cried real tears in Tell Me It’s Not True. Her performance linked the whole show together."
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| Bristol Evening Post, 28th April 2010, page 18. |
Fresh blood helps bring show to life
by Gerry Parker
"One thing that does not change is the commitment of the performers who play the characters with complete belief. Former New Seeker Lyn Paul has been associated with the role of Mrs. Johnstone for more than ten years but she still vividly brings to life the anguish of this impoverished mother forced to give away one of her twin boys in order to retain her other seven children."
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| Liverpool Echo, 7th May 2010, page 34. |
So hard to choose
Responding to the Echo's "Favourite Mrs. Johnstone" article, Collette Byatt wrote:
"Lyn Paul, who I watched yet again, portrays all the emotion and sings with clarity that is so moving, it enhances the piece beautifully."
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| Birmingham Mail, 15th May 2010, page 12. |
Applause and tears for show
by Paul Marston
"There is a wonderful performance from former New Seekers star Lyn Paul as the warm-hearted Mrs. Johnstone."
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| The Independent, Viewspaper, 16th June 2010, pages 10-11. |
The end of the age of innocence
by David Lister
David Lister took a look back at 1972, when the events of Bloody Sunday occurred:
"Although this was to be the year that David Bowie would take the world by storm with his Ziggy Stardust album and the launch of his androgynous persona, the number one record at the time of Bloody Sunday was I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing by The New Seekers. Written for a Coca-Cola ad, the line " I'd like to buy the world a Coke, and keep it company" was amended so that radio stations would play the song."
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| Western Mail, 23rd June 2010, page 27. |
Twin-engined tale still full of power
by Karen Price
"In this touring production, New Seeker Lyn Paul puts in a gutsy turn as the down-on-her-luck Liverpudlian housewife. She particularly showcases her powerful voice in recurring track Marilyn Monroe, in which she shares her dreams with the audience."
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| Western Daily Press, 2nd July 2010, page 27. |
Russell's moving tale of twins seperated at birth
News item previewing the arrival of Blood Brothers at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.
"The 'musical for all time' stars Lyn Paul, one of the original members of the chart topping New Seekers, who will be reprising the role of the careworn Mrs. Johnstone for the fifth time."
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| Gloucestershire Echo, 2nd July 2010, page 4. |
It's in the blood, bro
In it's preview of Blood Brothers the Gloucestershire Echo told its readers that "the lead role of Mrs. Johnstone" was to be played by "former New Seekers singer Lyn Paul."
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| Gloucestershire Echo, 7th July 2010, page 10. |
It will crush your soul
by Simon Lewis
Although he felt that the show could have been improved by "some judicious adjustment of the volume", Simon Lewis nonetheless found the touring production of Blood Brothers "breathtaking".
"Former New Seeker Lyn Paul sings impressively and provides a formidable anchor as the well-intentioned but tormented housewife Mrs. Johnstone."
Simon Lewis's review also appeared in The Citizen on 7th July (page 19) with an alternative heading 'Heavenly brothers'.
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| Gloucestershire Echo, 9th July 2010, page 4. |
Emotive tale of two brothers divided
A short news item plugging Blood Brothers, which reminded readers that "former New Seekers singer Lyn Paul takes the lead role of Mrs. Johnstone." This news item also appeared in The Citizen the same say.
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| The Citizen, 12th July 2010, page 4. |
Oh Brother! What a great show
by Martin Kirby
"It's a testament to the skill of Lyn Paul and the rest of the Blood Brothers cast that after watching this emotional roller-coaster of a musical, I felt like I'd been put through a mangle!"
Martin Kirby's review also appeared in the Western Daily Press on 19th July (page 23).
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| Hastings & St. Leonards Observer, 21st July 2010. |
Blood Brothers is a soaring success
by Rob Alderson
"It's always nice to eavesdrop on the audience leaving a theatre and I don't think I ever heard the word "fantastic" more than I did on my way out of the White Rock on Monday. It's even nicer to find yourself smiling in agreement.
Lyn Paul (of New Seekers fame) gives a powerhouse performance as Mrs. Johnstone... Like the whole cast she is note perfect, and brings a pathos and humour to the role that fills the theatre."
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| Western Mail, 13th August 2010, page 35. |
Musical tale of twins separated at birth
A short article promoting the touring production of Blood Brothers at Venue Cymru in Llandudno (30th August - 4th September), featuring Niki Evans, who took over the role of Mrs. Johnstone from Lyn Paul.
Lyn Paul is listed amongst the many star names who have played Mrs. Johnstone.
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| Northern Echo, 9th September 2010. |
Modern Mrs J
by Viv Hardwick
An interview with Niki Evans, who describes how she landed the role of Mrs. Johnstone and cites Lyn Paul as an inspiration:
"I'd never seen a musical, but I got a phone call inviting me to do 'Blood Brothers' and I must admit I thought it was some kind of rock musical so I said 'all right'. Then I got the script and thought 'what's this?' and met Bill Kenwright (the theatre impresario) and completely messed up my audition and he still gave me the job. Then I went along to see the show and came away thinking 'No way can I do that'... The first person I saw in the role was Lyn Paul and I think she's the best even at 62. She is wonderful."
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| The Guardian, 8th October 2010, page 6. |
The dying of the light entertainment
by Alexis Petridis
An article about "the strange, lost world of 1970s cabaret pop".
"Some cabaret pop made the charts - the New Seekers, Peters and Lee - but its true home was on the light entertainment TV shows, filling in the gaps between sketches on Morecambe & Wise or Tommy Cooper's Half Hour."
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