Radio
Front Row Neon Artwork
On the 40th Anniversary of Willy's first musical, John, Paul, George, Ringo & Bert, Willy Russell was asked to design BBC Radio 4’s Front Row 2014 Neon Artwork in Salford. The large neon sign featuring the word 'Words' in Willy Russell’s handwriting, was switched on live during the programme on 15th December.
“It was also really refreshing to be asked to do something that's an art project…”
Shirley Valentine - BBC Radio 4
Meera Syal stars as Shirley Valentine
Written by acclaimed writer Willy Russell
Shirley Valentine is a middle-aged Liverpool housewife, who reveals her innermost thoughts and fears in a manner that is both insouciant and poignant.
Once an incorrigible anti-establishment rebel, Shirley now chafes under the plodding insensitivity of her husband, Joe and the stultifying pace of her suburban routine.
Her life enters a new and exciting phase when, after her best friend, Jane, wins an all-expenses-paid vacation to Greece, Shirley is given the opportunity to travel to faraway places without her husband; she begins to see the world, and herself, in a different light.
Producer - Clive Brill
A Pacificus production
First broadcast: Sat 18th Dec 2010
14:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM
Educating Rita - BBC Radio 4
2009 Saturday Drama, BBC Christmas season
“Educating Rita by Willy Russell. A comic, sparky and touching portrayal of the relationship between a working-class Open University student and her middle-aged, alcohol-fuelled tutor”.
Rita - Laura Dos Santos
Frank - Bill Nighy
Directed by Kirsty Williams
Live in Liverpool
In October 2004, Radio 2 presented a series of live radio broadcasts 'Live in Liverpool'.
Willy Russell and the Singing Playwrights band played the Rawhide Club in Liverpool for the Mike Harding Show. Band members - Willy Russell, Tim Firth, Andy Roberts, Loreto Murray, Emily Jackson and Gavin Kaufman. The show also featured Ralph McTell and Janis Ian.
The Singing Playwrights - The Band
Lead Vocals & Guitar -Willy Russell
Lead Vocals & Keyboards - Tim Firth
Vocals & Guitars - Andy Roberts
Vocals & Accordion - Loreto Murray
Vocals, Bass & Keyboards - Gavin Kaufman
Vocals, Drums, Percussion & Vibraphone -Vidar Norheim
Emily, Gavin and Vidar were (in 2004) students at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts LIPA.
Desert Island Disks
First Broadcast - Fri 28 January 1994. 09:05
BBC RADIO 4
40 Minutes
“The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the playwright Willy Russell. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the route his career has taken - from hairdressing, via teaching in Toxteth to living as one of the country's most successful dramatists. He'll also be talking about his play about the Beatles, John, Paul, George, Ringo & Bert, which, 20 years ago, transferred to the West End and became a huge hit and how, since then, Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine and Blood Brothers have all brought him success and acclaim”. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Favourite track: I Get Along Without You Very Well by Hoagy Carmichael
Book: A Latin Primer by Benjamin Hall Kennedy
Luxury: English meadow with an oak tree