| 2019 |
On 9th May 2019 it was announced that Lyn Paul would be returning to Blood Brothers in August for a Farewell Tour.
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| Bromsgrove Advertiser, 30th January 2019. |
STAGE REVIEW: Blood Brothers
by Alan Wallcroft
"It’s been just over two years since Brothers was last at Malvern and then Lyn Paul was in the starring role of Mrs. Johnstone. Now it’s Linzi Hateley..."
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| York Press, Tuesday, 14th May 2019. |
Lyn Paul to play York on farewell tour as Blood Brothers' Mrs. Johnstone
by Charles Hutchinson
The York Press reported that Lyn Paul would "reprise her role as mother-of-new-twins Mrs. Johnstone in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers for the final time at the age of 70."
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| Birmingham Mail, Friday, 17th May 2019, page 45. |
Show Buzz: Blood Brothers on tour
The Birmingham Mail reported the news that Lyn Paul would be appearing in the touring production of Blood Brothers "for the final time" at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 30th September - 10th October. The same news item appeared in Coventry Telegraph (page 42) on the same day and in the Birmingham Post on 23rd May (page 29).
The news that Lyn Paul would be "returning to the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone for the final time" was also reported in the 'Show Buzz' columns of the Daily Post (North Wales), Derby Telegraph, Evening Chronicle (Newcastle), Evening Gazette (Middlesbrough), Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Hull Daily Mail, The Journal (Newcastle), Leicester Mercury, Liverpool Echo, Manchester Evening News, Nottingham Post, The Sentinel (Stoke On Trent), South Wales Echo and the Western Mail (Cardiff). Lyn is quoted as saying: "I am beyond thrilled to be returning to 'Blood Brothers'."
On 22nd May the same news item appeared in the Carmarthen Journal and the Llanelli Star; on 23rd May it appeared in the Hertfordshire Mercury, Lichfield Mercury and Tamworth Herald and on 24th May in the Sutton Coldfield Observer.
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| Loughborough Echo, Wednesday, 14th August 2019, page 42. |
Lyn's final bow as star of Blood Brothers
The Loughborough Echo announced that Blood Brothers would be at the Derby Theatre from Monday, 14th October until Saturday, 19th October with Lyn Paul starring as Mrs. Johnstone "for the final time".
The same news story appeared two days later in the
Derby Telegraph (page 34), the Leicester Mercury (page 40) and the Nottingham Post (page 38).
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| Chester Chronicle, Thursday, 15th August 2019, page 33. |
Lyn returns for final time in key role
"Bill Kenwright's quality production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers returns this year on a UK tour.
Starring Lyn Paul in the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone for the final time... The production comes to Crewe Lyceum Theatre from November 5-9."
This preview also appeared in the Flintshire Chronicle (page 33).
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| Liverpool Echo, Friday, 16th August 2019. |
Dreams come true as Alex brings Blood Brothers home
by Lorna Hughes
An interview with Alex Patmore, who took over the role of Mickey from Sean Jones in February 2019 and then returned for the Summer / Autumn tour with Lyn Paul.
"Lyn is lovely. She's lived with this show for so long and she's a legend of 'Blood Brothers', the best Mrs. Johnstone to ever be."
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| Derby Telegraph, Friday, 16th August, page 34. |
Lyn's final bow as star of Blood Brothers
"The full cast has now been announced for Blood Brothers, which plays Derby Theatre this Autumn.
Lyn Paul will star in the role of Mrs. Johnstone for the final time... "
The same article also appeared in the Leicester Mercury (page 40) and the Nottingham Post (page 38).
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| Wirral Globe, Tuesday, 20th August 2019. |
PREVIEW: Lyn Paul on Blood Brothers return to Liverpool
by Peter Grant
Lyn Paul talked to Globe theatre critic Peter Grant about her farewell tour of Blood Brothers.
"Playing Liverpool is extra-special because 'Blood Brothers' belongs there. It belongs to Liverpool."
During the ineterview Lyn recalled her 50th birthday at the Phoenix Theatre in London, when the Blood Brothers' cast gave her the original silver locket that Mrs. Johnstone gives away to her son Eddie in the first half of the show: "I treasure that - always will."
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| Champion, Thursday, 5th September 2019 |
Blood Brothers is a 'must-see theatre experience'
by Malcolm Hindle
"Lyn Paul triumphed in her return to a role she has forged unbreakable ties with but this is, sadly, the final time the former New Seekers singer is performing the part she has become synonymous with
At the Empire she was simply breathtaking...
10/10 - captivating and exceptional - it remains a must-see theatre experience."
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| Liverpool Echo, Friday, 6th September 2019, pages 14-15. |
Compelling tale back home again
by Lorna Hughes
"This compelling tale of class, poverty, love and tragedy is back home during an Autumn tour that will see a farewell for Lyn Paul. For many the definitive Mrs. Johnstone, she delivers the big songs like Tell Me It's Not True straight from the heart.
Here her Mrs J. is brittle and dignified, going from quiet hurt to unbearable anguish at her decision to give up one of her boys."
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| Wirral Globe, Friday, 6th September 2019. |
REVIEW: Blood Brothers at Liverpool Empire
by Peter Grant
"Lyn Paul is now on her farewell tour as the poverty-stricken mother Mrs. Johnstone. Her massive contribution on this her farewell tour in the role is as faultless as ever.
In each and every show she sheds real tears. That, in itself, sums up the incredible draw of a drama that will never age."
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| Express & Star, Friday, 20th September 2019, page 7. |
Blood Brothers back with final appearance for icon
Wolverhampton's Express & Star reported that Blood Brothers would run at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 30th September - 12th October * starring Lyn Paul in the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone for the final time."
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| Chester Chronicle, Wednesday, 25th September 2019. |
Theatre classic Blood Brothers returns to Crewe Lyceum
The Chester Chronicle and the Macclesfield Express reported that Blood Brothers would return to the Crewe Lyceum Theatre from 5th - 9th November.
*Tell me it’s not true? Legendary singer Lyn Paul returns to the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone for one final time in Bill Kenwright’s incredible production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers."
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| Birmingham Post, Thursday, 26th September 2019, page 33. |
Mrs. J. is me, so she's very easy to play
An interview with Lyn Paul which covered her career from the New Seekers to Blood Brothers: "I've had a very charmed career. And although I've had lots of bad times, I've had some incredible highs too. But 'Blood Brothers' has to be the highlight."
The interview was also published in the Birmingham Mail the following day (page 44).
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| Express & Star, Friday, 27th September 2019, page 35. |
Return of a smash hit musical
A reminder that Blood Brothers would run at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 30th September - 12th October. The same news item also appeared in the Shropshire Star (page 23).
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Express & Star, Thursday, 3rd October 2019, page 11. |
What else but a standing ovation!
by Harry Leather
"Lyn Paul provided the stand-out voice. The former New Seekers singer set the tone with opening song Marilyn Monroe and brought the house down with heartwrenching finale Tell Me It's Not True."
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| Birmingham Mail, Friday, 4th October 2019, page 3. |
Full-blooded performance
Review: Blood Brothers, Birmingham Hippodrome
by Stephanie Balloo
"Lyn Paul's portrayal of single mum Mrs. Johnstone is incredibly authentic..."
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| Western Morning News, Saturday, 12th October 2019, page 25. |
Jesus' words and his life reveal that he really wants to meet us
by Malc' Halliday
"Teenagers in the early 1970s had two choices. Girls had to choose to have Donny Osmond or David Cassidy as their pin-up. We lads were either fans of Lyn Paul or Eve Graham."
Malc' Halliday, the Centre Manager of the Christian Resources Project in Plymouth, admitted to being "a Lyn Paul guy" and revealed that he'd recently made a train journey to Birmingham and stayed overnight to see Lyn in Blood Brothers for the last time. Malc's "extra effort" to see Lyn prompted him to reflect upon the Greeks in the gospels who wanted to "see Jesus". His 'Weekend Thought' concluded: "The great thing about Jesus is that his words and life tell us he wants to meet us."
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| Derbyshire Times, Monday, 14th October 2019. |
Lyn Paul stars in Blood Brothers at Derby Theatre
The Derbyshire Times reminded its readers that Blood Brothers would be at the Derby Theatre "with Lyn Paul in the starring role."
The same news item also appeared in the Belper News, the Buxton Advertiser, the Ilkeston Advertiser, the Matlock Mercury and the Ripley & Heanor News.
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| York Press, Sunday, 20th October 2019. |
Lyn Paul saying farewell to Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers
by Charles Hutchinson
Charles Hutchinson talked to Lyn Paul about 22-year association with the role of Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers.
"I wish I’d kept count of the number of performances, but you never think you’re going to have such a long association with a show."
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| York Press, Wednesday, 23rd October 2019. |
10 Things to see next week in York and beyond
"After performances spanning 22 years in the role of Mrs. Johnstone in Willy Russell’s epic Liverpool family musical, New Seekers singer Lyn Paul is saying farewell to Blood Brothers on this Autumn’s tour."
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| York Press, Tuesday, 29th October 2019. |
REVIEW: Blood Brothers, Grand Opera House, York
by Mike Laycock
"At the heart of the drama is the twins’ mother, Mrs. Johnstone, played for the final time by Lyn Paul, of the 1970s’ New Seekers, who’s still got a great voice and conveys so powerfully the permanent anguish of having given up her child."
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| Pocklington Post, Monday, 4th November 2019. |
Theatre review: Blood Brothers at Grand Opera House, York
by Julia Pattison
"Lyn Paul (member of the New Seekers in the 1970s) has played the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone many times in the past; this is her final tour playing the part, and she sang with passion, power and feeling on the opening night in York that I attended.
She's choosing to leave on a high and will be a hard act to follow."
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| Macclesfield Express, Tuesday, 5th November 2019. |
Blood Brothers breaks Crewe Lyceum records - even before it opens
The Macclesfield Express and the Chester Chronicle both reported the news that Blood Brothers had become "the best-selling week-long show ever at Crewe Lyceum Theatre - ahead of its opening on Tuesday, November 5." Both papers noted that "The legendary musical stars Lyn Paul, who is reprising the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone on a highly emotional farewell tour."
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| Hastings & St. Leonards Observer, Thursday, 7th November 2019. |
Four things to do in the Hastings area
The Hastings & St. Leonards Observer hearladed the arrival of Blood Brothers at the White Rock Theatre (12th - 16th November).
"West End star and pop singer Lyn Paul is playing the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone for the final time."
The same news item also appeared in the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer and the Rye & Battle Observer.
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| Hastings & St. Leonards Observer, Monday, 11th November 2019. |
Lyn Paul stars in Blood Brothers at Hastings' White Rock Theatre this week
The Hastings & St. Leonards Observer and sister papers the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer and the Rye & Battle Observer all published reminders that Lyn Paul would be "returning to the role of Mrs. Johnstone for the last time" at the White Rock Theatre. The papers all published extracts from a previously-published interview with Lyn:
"Mrs. J. in Blood Brothers is such an iconic role to play, so although it might sound as though I'm crawling here (laughs) it's changed my life. It gave me a new career. I was going up and down the country doing cabaret and Bill took me away from all that and I've never gone back."
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| Hastings & St. Leonards Observer, Friday, 15th November 2019. |
Last chance to see Blood Brothers at Hastings' White Rock Theatre
A final plug for Blood Brothers before it departed the White Rock Theatre.
"Blood Brothers has gone down a storm at Hastings White Rock Theatre this week and the customer reviews have been fantastic. Tickets are now selling fast for the final performances but there's still time to reserve a seat."
The same news item also appeared in the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer and the Rye & Battle Observer.
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| Eastbourne Herald, Wednesday, 27th November 2019. |
Blood Brothers in Eastbourne: Lyn Paul says farewell to Mrs. Johnstone
A plug for the last week of shows in Eastbourne, featuring an oft-used quote from Lyn:
"I am beyond thrilled to be returning to Blood Brothers in this iconic role. I'm honoured to have been given the opportunity to undertake this farewell tour' by my good friend, Bill Kenwright. It's such a privilege to be able to play Mrs. Johnstone one final time."
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| Eastbourne Herald, Thursday, 28th November 2019. |
Four things to do in Eastbourne
The Eastbourne Herald highlighted "four of the best events" in the coming weeks, one of them being Blood Brothers in Eastbourne, where "Lyn Paul says farewell to Mrs. Johnstone." Lyn's farewell appearance in Blood Brothers was also highlighted in the Bexhill-on-Sea Observer, the Hastings & St. Leonards Observer, the Rye & Battle Observer and the Sussex Express.
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| Eastbourne Herald, Wednesday, 4th December 2019. |
Eastbourne bred actor on stage in Blood Brothers
An article about Robbie Scotcher, the Narrator in Blood Brothers, who was returning to his home town of Eastbourne for the last week of the UK tour.
"Robbie Scotcher, a former Hampden Park School pupil, appears alongside Lyn Paul in the UK tour of the infamous musical."
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| Evening Chronicle, Tuesday, 10th December 2019. |
Blood Brothers returns to Sunderland's Empire Theatre - We review the ever popular tale of two twins as they grow up on opposite sides of the tracks
by Herbert Soden
"Lyn Paul's portrayal of luckless single mum Mrs. Johnstone is as humorous as it is heart-breaking."
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| Eastbourne Herald, Wednesday, 11th December 2019. |
REVIEW: Blood Brothers Eastbourne
by Annemarie Field
Although this reviewer felt that, at the age of 70, Lyn Paul was too old for the part of Mrs. Johnstone, she admitted that "her performance is outstanding" and acknowledged that "Tuesday night’s audience obviously appreciated her and her finely honed depiction of the Liverpool mother with seven hungry children to feed."
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