BLOOD Brothers is back in the region with a two-week residency at the Grand Theatre in Leeds from May 7 to 18.

Bill Kenwright’s production continues to play to sell-out houses and standing ovations, years after it won four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

Olivier Award-nominated British actress Linzi Hateley returns to the leading role of Mrs Johnstone, the poverty-stricken mother who decides to give away one of her newborn twins.

Struggling to make ends meet, she hands one baby to a middle-class mother, thinking will never see him again.

But the brothers meet as young boys and become best friends despite their very different upbringings. As teenagers they fall in love with the same girl – setting the scene for a climax that will see both of them die violently.

Lindsay said: “Mrs Johnstone is an iconic role that I’ve always secretly dreamed of playing. I’m thrilled to perform it to audiences right across our country.”

Linzi has performed in countless West End productions, the most recent of which being the role of Donna in Mamma Mia.

At 17 Linzi was cast as the title role in the Royal Shakespeare’s production of Carrie: the Musical, a role that would take her to Broadway.

Visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call 0844 848 2700 to book tickets.