Willy Russell’s career spans more than four decades; born in Liverpool in 1947, he left school at 15, became a women’s hairdresser, part-time singer/songwriter before returning to education and becoming a teacher.

Russell’s breakthrough work, commissioned by Liverpool Everyman, “John Paul George Ringo…and Bert” transferred to the West End winning Best Musical - Evening Standard and London Theatre Critics Awards.

Two of Willy’s best-known plays have female protagonists, “Educating Rita” (Olivier Award for Best Comedy and  “Shirley Valentine “ (Olivier Award - Best New Comedy & Best New Actress, Tony Awards, Broadway – Best Actress). Both became successful films - Julie Walters and Pauline Collins who played the roles on stage received Oscar nominations as did Willy Russell for  the screenplay of Educating Rita.

“Blood Brothers,” (Laurence Olivier Award, Best New Musical, 1983), played for 24 years becoming the 3rd longest running West End musical. Major foreign productions include a 2 year run on Broadway, with recent productions in Japan, South Africa, Korea and Australia. The UK tour is still playing to packed houses. 

As well as writing for theatre and screen, Willy Russell published his critically acclaimed debut novel “The Wrong Boy” (2000), which was subsequently translated worldwide.

“Our Day Out,” originally written for TV, about a school outing, has been adapted for the stage as “Our Day Out - The Musical”. Premiered at Liverpool's Royal Court in 2010 to rave reviews it was revived a year later for another sell out season.

Major UK and international productions of Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine and Blood Brothers are staged every year. January 2023 was the 40th anniversary of Blood Brothers opening at The Liverpool Playhouse and the production of Shirley Valentine starring Sheridan Smith completed a sell out run in the West End at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London in June 2023. It was nominated for two Olivier Awards – Best Revival and Best Actress for Sheridan Smith.

For the last few years, Willy has been developing his skill as a painter, with his artwork being exhibited in Liverpool and London. He continues to explore the various forms of fine art and print making.

Willy Russell continues to be one of the most celebrated and widely produced writers of his generation with works regularly being produced throughout the world.