Willy Russell's work is phenomenally popular with schools, colleges and universities, with Blood Brothers being a set text for GCSE English (AQA). The Modern Play edition sells over 2000 copies a year The play won the 1980 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. This Student Edition contains a full introduction, commentary, notes and questions for further study besides the full script of the play itself This edition contains the author's revised version of the play, produced in 2002. The play was made into a highly successful film starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters, winner of the 1983 BAFTA Award for Best Film. Willy Russell has 'an unerring ear for authentic working-class speech and humour, allied to an optimistic belief in the ability of people to transform their own lives' Financial Times

Willy Russell, born in Whiston near Liverpool, is one of the most popular and successful contemporary playwrights whose works are studied in schools and colleges. His plays include: One for the Road, Stags and Hens, Educating Rita, Blood Brothers, Our Day Out and Shirley Valentine.