“The first thing I need to have is a compelling voice.
Once I have that, then I know I can find a play.
I can find the route that the narrative has to take.”
Welcome to willyrussell.com the official website that charts the five decade career of Willy Russell, Playwright, Songwriter, Author & Artist. The website has been created by and is administered by Negus-Fancey Agents who represent Willy Russell.
It is beyond the scope of this website to include every production that has ever been staged. Instead we have sought to capture important moments in the history of each of the plays. Anyone seeking more information or details can explore The Willy Russell Archive, Liverpool John Moores University Special Collections and Archives.
If unwittingly, the rights of any third party have been infringed or a credit omitted please notify Negus-Fancey Agents.
Latest News
12th March 2024
Shirley Valentine at Duke Of York’s Theatre nominated for two Olivier Awards
Best Actress for Sheridan Smith
Best Revival for Shirley Valentine
Willy with Sheridan Smith @sheridansmithster & Director Matthew Dunster @dunster_matthew during rehearsals last year
26th February 2024
Publication of a new French translation of L’Education de Rita
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new French translation of L’Education de Rita (Educating Rita) by Editions Du Brigadier. The translation is by Catherine Marcangeli who is a Paris based translator, art historian and author. Catherine has also lived in Liverpool for many years and has an in-depth understanding of the life, language and culture.
16th January 2024
Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York’s Theatre Nominated for WhatsOnStage Awards
Willy Russell nominated for best play revival
Sheridan Smith nominated for best performer in a play
24th October 2023
Bill Kenwright
I ‘m shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Bill Kenwright. My thoughts are with Jenny, Lucy, Adam and the rest of the family at such a painful and difficult time.
Bill’s commitment to his twin passions of theatre and Everton FC was total and unstinting and his loyalty and devotion to Blood Brothers was unwavering from the the first time he came to see it. RIP Bill
19th June 2023
Shakespeare North Playhouse
An Audience With:
Willy Russell
Dramatist, lyricist, composer and local legend, Willy Russell is set to take the Cockpit Theatre Stage for ‘An Audience with Willy Russell’. Willy Russell will be interviewed by theatre director Matthew Dunster (Shirley Valentine, 2:22, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hangman) to talk about his career that spans more than five decades.
Sunday 20th August, 6pm
15th March 2023
Shirley Valentine at the Duke of Yorks Theatre London
Shirley Valentine starring Sheridan Smith continues to play to full houses and 5 star reviews. Due to enormous demand the West End run at the Duke of Yorks Theatre has been extended until 3rd June 2023.
13th January 2023
Shirley Valentine Starring Sheridan Smith
Due to enormous demand extended to 15 weeks
Written by Willy Russell
Directed by Matthew Dunster
Duke of York's Theatre, London
You've seen the film, now see the play it was based on...
Shirley Valentine is the celebrated one-woman play written by Willy Russell, winning him his third Olivier Award. Sheridan Smith is a multi-award-winning actress with two Olivier Awards and a BAFTA. Matthew Dunster is a three-time Olivier Award nominated director whose work most recently has been seen on Broadway with Martin McDonagh's Hangmen and in the West End with 2.22 by Danny Robins.
15 weeks only - from 17th February 2023
And reduced price previews
10th January 2023
A Picture of Health Book Launch
A Picture of Health”, pioneered by Professor Dame Amanda Fisher, aims to use art-science to explore what “A Picture of Health” means to society today.
Why “A Picture of Health”?
What “A Picture of Health” looks like invokes different ideas, thoughts, and feelings for different people, providing a unique insight into how different individuals across a cross-section of society perceive ‘health’. As part of the project, we invited a range of people from the public to send in their interpretation of “A Picture of Health”. Contributions came from a cross-section of society including healthcare workers, shopkeepers, bakers, scientists, artists, and our LMS staff, and well known faces including the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, author Ben Okri, poet Michael Rosen, playright Willy Russell and many more.
These contributions have been curated into a book that includes photographs, paintings, poems, and more remarkable artistic interpretations of “A Picture of Health”
Willy Russell - Common or Garden
A common or garden plant - something one would expect to find on common land, open field or uncultivated garden.
We scattered some seeds, a random mix on the barren patch, covered them over with the cold, damp January soil. We supposed that not much would come of our admittedly meagre efforts and by the time the March winds blew, our planting was mostly forgotten. And then the air softened, the days grew warmer and green shoots appeared, straining for the sky, swelling with the April showers; and bursting, exploding their glory into the warm May sun.
Time to get out the inks, the brushes, the paint, the paper and canvas; time to try to catch and hold something of this patch of unremarkable treasure, this all too common or garden miracle. Time. It won’t always be spring.
9th December 2022
Shirley Valentine Starring Sheridan Smith
Written by Willy Russell
Directed by Matthew Dunster
Duke of York's Theatre, London
You've seen the film, now see the play it was based on...
Shirley Valentine is the celebrated one-woman play written by Willy Russell, winning him his third Olivier Award. Sheridan Smith is a multi-award-winning actress with two Olivier Awards and a BAFTA. Matthew Dunster is a three-time Olivier Award nominated director whose work most recently has been seen on Broadway with Martin McDonagh's Hangmen and in the West End with 2.22 by Danny Robins.
12 weeks only - from 17th February 2023
And reduced price previews
24th November 2022
Official launch of willyrussell.com
This page is where you will find all the latest news regarding Willy’s work including UK & international productions, tours, broadcasts, live performances, publications and more…
As the willyrussell.com website has just launched this is our first news item. Check back in the coming weeks for a very exciting announcement - with further exclusive news items to come over the coming months and years. So bookmark this page to keep up to date.
