Willy Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willy Russell
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Russell in 2003
|
|
| Born | William Russell 23 August 1946 Whiston, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Playwright, screenwriter, author, lyricist, composer |
| Notable works |
|
| Spouse |
Annie Seagroatt
(m. 1969) |
| Children | 3 |
William Russell (born August 23, 1946) is an English writer, songwriter, and composer. He is famous for writing plays and musicals like Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine, Blood Brothers, and Our Day Out.
Contents
Willy Russell's Early Life
Willy Russell was born in Whiston, Lancashire, England. When he was 15, he left school and became a hairdresser. He even owned his own salon! At age 20, he decided to go back to college to become a teacher. During these years, he also sang and wrote his own songs in folk clubs.
While at college, he started writing plays. In 1972, he took three short plays to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a big arts festival. There, another writer named John McGrath saw his work. This led to Willy Russell getting his first professional job writing for the Liverpool Everyman theatre.
Willy Russell's Career in Theatre and Film
Willy Russell's first play was called Keep Your Eyes Down, written in 1971 while he was training to be a teacher.
Musicals and Plays
In 1974, Russell wrote John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert, a musical about the Beatles. This show was a huge hit in Liverpool and then moved to the West End in London, where it played for over a year. It won awards for being the best musical of 1974.
He also wrote other plays like One for the Road (1976) and Stags and Hens (1978). At the same time, he wrote for television, including films like Our Day Out (1977) and the TV series One Summer (1983).
Educating Rita
The Royal Shakespeare Company asked Willy Russell to write Educating Rita. This play first opened in London in 1980. It became very popular and was performed all over the world. It won awards for Russell and for the actors who played the main characters, Rita and Frank.
Shirley Valentine
In 1986, Russell wrote Shirley Valentine. This play was a big success in London's West End and then on Broadway in New York. It won awards for Russell and for the actress Pauline Collins.
Both Educating Rita (1983) and Shirley Valentine (1989) were made into movies. The actors Michael Caine, Julie Walters, and Pauline Collins all received Oscar nominations for their roles. Willy Russell was also nominated for an Oscar for his Educating Rita screenplay.
Blood Brothers
One of Willy Russell's most famous works is Blood Brothers. It's a musical about two twin brothers who are separated at birth and grow up in very different families. This musical won an Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1983. It had an amazing run in London's West End for 24 years, with over 10,000 performances! It also played on Broadway in New York.
Other Creative Works
In 1985, Willy Russell helped write the song "The Show" for the TV series Connie. The song became quite popular in the UK.
Later, Russell turned his play Our Day Out into a musical called Our Day Out – The Musical. This new version keeps the original story but updates it for modern times with new songs. It was performed in 2010.
Willy Russell also wrote a novel called The Wrong Boy, which was published in 2000. In 2004, he released his own music album called Hoovering the Moon.
The Willy Russell Archive
In 2013, Liverpool John Moores University started the Willy Russell Archive. This is a special collection of his work, including his writings, programs from his shows, photos, letters, and recordings. It helps people learn about his amazing career.
Willy Russell's Personal Life
Willy Russell married Annie Seagroatt in 1969. They have three children: a son named Rob, and two daughters named Rachel and Ruth.
Willy Russell's Works
- Keep Your Eyes Down (play 1972)
- Sam O'Shanker (play 1972, musical 1973)
- John, Paul, George, Ringo ... and Bert (musical 1974)
- Death of a Young Young Man (TV Episode 1975)
- Breezeblock Park (play 1975)
- Our Day Out (play 1977, later adapted for stage musical 2010)
- Blind Scouse
- One for the Road (play 1976)
- I Read the News Today (BBC Schools Radio Play, 1976)
- Stags and Hens (1978 play, filmed in 1990 as Dancin' Thru the Dark)
- Educating Rita (play 1980, film 1983)
- The Boy with the Transistor Radio (1980)
- One Summer (TV series 1983)
- Blood Brothers (musical 1983)
- Connie (TV series, co-wrote theme tune "The Show" 1985)
- Shirley Valentine (play 1986, film 1989)
- Terraces (BBC TV film 1993)
- The Wrong Boy (first novel, 2000)
- Hoovering the Moon (music album, 2003)
- Our Day Out – The Musical (2009/10)
Awards and Nominations
Willy Russell has won many awards for his amazing work:
- Awards
- 1980: Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy – Educating Rita
- 1983: Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical – Blood Brothers
- 1988: Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy – Shirley Valentine
- 1990: Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Screenplay – Shirley Valentine
- Nominations
- 1984: Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – Educating Rita
- 1984: Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Motion Picture Screenplay – Educating Rita
- 1984: BAFTA nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – Educating Rita
- 1989 Tony Award for Best Play – Shirley Valentine
- 1990: BAFTA nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay – Shirley Valentine
- 1993: Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical – Blood Brothers
