AN epic tale of life on the streets of Liverpool that has proven a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic is returning to Malvern's Festival Theatre.

It sold out the first time it touched down in Malvern 18 months ago, but another opportunity to see Willy Russell's award-winning musical Blood Brothers is being offered throughout the first week in April.

Still able to pull in the crowds after fourteen years in the West End, the Malvern box office has no tickets left for the show's Saturday night performance but matinee and other performances are still available.

It tells the story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be re-united by a twist of fate and a mother's haunting secret.

Mrs Johnstone (Lyn Paul), a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left with the task of bringing up seven hungry children.

She takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet, but it is not long before she learns she is pregnant again - this time with twins!

In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer, which leads inexorably to the show's shattering climax.

The score, which includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It's Not True, has been instrumental in securing the show four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony award nominations on Broadway.

Writer Willy Russell was born in Liverpool just after the Second World War, and left school at 15 to become a hairdresser.

Fortunately for entertainment lovers worldwide, he put down the scissors and picked up a pen - since when he has written countless works including Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine.

More details and tickets for the show, priced from £16 to £26, are available from the box office on 01684 892277 or at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.