WATCH: Rebecca Storm starring in 'Blood Brothers' at Millenium Forum

Bill Kenwright’s award-winning production of the international smash-hit musical Blood Brothers is continuing its record-breaking tour into 2026.

The beloved musical is returning to Derry’s Millennium Forum for a limited run from Tuesday, February 17 until Saturday 21. 

Blood Brothers tells the moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. 

Taking centre stage as the iconic Mrs Johnstone is Ireland’s own musical theatre legend, Rebecca Storm. Renowned for her powerful performances in Chess, Evita, Les Misérables, and The Streisand Songbook, Ms Storm brings “extraordinary depth and emotional resonance” to the role - a character she first portrayed 42 years ago to critical acclaim and has since reprised throughout the years. 

Rebecca Storm who is playing Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers in the Millennium Forum.

Indeed, speaking to The Derry News, Ms Storm recalled playing the role of Mrs Johnstone in 1984.

“Would I ever have suspected I would still be playing Mrs J 42 years later? Not at all, it would have been unimaginable but I am absolutely delighted,” she added. 

“I am delighted to still be fit enough to dance around the stage and sing the songs, and if anybody says otherwise then they have got to come to the Millennium Forum to witness the fact that 60 is the new 40,” laughed Ms Storm. 

“Blood Brothers appeals to every single generation from eight to 80 basically and you can’t say that about many musical plays.

“I have been extremely lucky to have so many to have had so many generations come to see me playing Mrs Johnstone. 

One night during a production in Cork, in 1986 I think, there was a woman in the audience who was expecting twins and they had to dash down to the hospital to have the twins. A few years later, that lady introduced me to her twins, and then a few years later again, the twins came to see Blood Brothers with their own children. That doesn’t happen too often,” said Ms Storm.

“That family’s association with Blood Brothers is almost as close as mine,” she laughed. “I have seen so many young people grow up. When I speak to them after the show, they’re going, ‘You don’t remember me do you? I came to see you in Cork in 1986 and you signed my programme.

“It’s a long time ago but I’m just over the moon still to be playing Mrs J. I hate to say that this probably could be the last outing, but, on the other hand, never say never.”

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Encouraging people who have never seen Blood Brothers before to come along, Ms Storm said the title might suggest it was violent.

“Not at all,” she said, “while there is the tiniest bit of violence, the play is absolutely hysterical. It is just so funny.

“And young people absolutely adore the fact that it involves 40-year-old men dressed up as eight-year-olds and are completely convincing. 

“It is extraordinary how you have these magnificent actors running on the stage, I think after about 20 minutes and the audience is in shock at the fact that they come on and they're talking about teenage things. All those normal, natural emotions are packed into Blood Brothers. Willy Russel’s writing is genius. 

“It’s not too heavy that you've got to really concentrate hard. You are pulled into the story in two or three minutes,” said Ms Storm 

Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers. 

The production has also achieved global success and received 7 Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. 

Blood Brothers runs at the Millennium Forum from Tuesday, February  17 to Saturday, February 21, 2026. 

Tickets are now on sale from the Box Office. Telephone 71 264455 (option 1) or visit millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.